A roofing vent is necessary to keep the air flowing in or out of your home. If you don’t have one, this can result in the growth of molds and other damage. Understand the truth behind the common myths surrounding this important roofing element by taking a look below:
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Myth #1: Results of intensive lab research
You cannot believe what researchers say about the results they find when they conduct tests on attic ventilations. No lab setting can be compared to how vents work in real attics in real homes. The optimization and effectiveness of attic ventilation and types of air vents cannot really be studied with accurate results as location and climate conditions vary from area to area, making it difficult to determine just how air ventilation works. Source: Medium
Myth #2: More ventilation is better
Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit, you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad, if not worse. Roof vents create an additional roof penetration, essentially another place of vulnerability where leaks can occur. Some vents are necessary, but you don’t want to needlessly increase the number of roof penetrations. More than leaks, these seams can cause blowouts during a hurricane or allow sparks from a wildfire to enter your home and set it ablaze.
So, how much ventilation should you have? Without exception, you should talk to a professional to determine what your home requires. Generally speaking, you need a ratio of 1:300, where for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, you need 1 square foot of attic ventilation. That said, air resistance and interference (such as vent grates) reduces the area of true ventilation. In other words, the entire vent opening doesn’t count as vented space. Source: HomeAdvisor
Myth #3: You don’t need vents if you live in a cold area
If you live in a region that’s cool for most of the year, you may be thinking that vents are an unnecessary expense, or even undesirable. Another myth is they remove all of the warm air from a home, causing the furnace to work harder.
However, insulation is more responsible for heat retention than roof vents, and the sun can do more to warm up that space than a furnace. Vents are often used in colder climates as a way to combat moisture retention. Source: AngiesList
Looking for experts to install or repair a roofing vent? We’re more than happy to help! You can even get a free estimate when you call us today!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
