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Summer is not the season for homeowners to neglect their roofs. St. Louis summers heat up dramatically, with temperatures soaring to near 100 degrees. Roof materials protect the home from all weather conditions, including heat. Thermal regulation and moisture control are two crucial roles of roofing during the summer months. Unfortunately, the upkeep of the attic influences the roof’s protective impact.
All attics must include sufficient roofing ventilation to allow airflow, aiding temperature and moisture control. Inadequate venting leads to numerous costly issues for homeowners. Is your attic primed for summer? Use our guide to attic ventilation to beat the heat and steer clear of potential roof damage.
Table of Contents:
Understanding the Attic Ventilation Code
About an Attic Ventilation System
How Do Attic Vents Work?
Ridge Vents: The Pros and Cons
Attic Fans for Climate Control
Are Solar Attic Fans Worth the Cost?
Know the Signs of Inadequate Attic Ventilation
FAQ
Attic ventilation regulates both the temperature of the attic and the moisture level. Adequate ventilation helps protect the longevity of the roof and aids in keeping the rest of the home cooler during hot summer days.
Understanding the Attic Ventilation Code
Many homeowners are familiar with the phrase “up to code.” When updating or repairing electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems, contractors must adhere to specific building and structural standards known as “codes.”
These standards are crucial to safety, but they also ensure that all contractors and companies maintain consistency related to installation procedures to facilitate optimal product performance. Attic ventilation systems need to comply with codes that regulate installation methodologies.
The International Code Council (ICC) oversees and enforces the International Residential Code (IRC), which includes the codes that guide the installation of roof ventilation systems. This code details the dimensions of vents and mandates exact measurements for the minimum vent area.
When roofing companies and contractors manage vent system installations, city permits require an adherence to ICC codes. After work is completed, an inspector assesses the installation work to ensure compliance.
About an Attic Ventilation System
There are several different solutions for venting the attic. An attic ventilation system features strategically placed vents to allow adequate airflow. These vents mitigate excessive moisture and provide thermo-regulation, ensuring that hot air does not stay trapped in the attic.
Some homes utilize attic fans to provide ventilation. These fans serve the same purpose as the vent system, with the fan circulating the air and releasing it via a vent.
All attic spaces require some type of ventilation, and all roofing requires ventilation. Some homes feature room additions without an attic. While there is no attic to trap heat and moisture, the roof system must be ventilated to ensure proper airflow and moisture control. Roofing contractors provide solutions for ventilating any type of roof.
How Do Attic Vents Work?
Attic vents work similarly to the ductwork in the home. Vent systems include a supply vent and a return vent. These vents pull outside air into the attic and release the hot, moist attic air into the environment. This circular airflow regulates the moisture level in the attic, minimizing the risk of mold growth in the attic and roof.
Ventilation also regulates the home’s climate during the summer. Without ventilation, the attic can reach temperatures of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme heat impacts the rest of the home and forces the HVAC system to work harder, leading to increased energy costs for homeowners.
Inadequate or nonexistent ventilation also diminishes the longevity and structural integrity of the roof, as excessive moisture damages shingles and other roofing materials.
Ridge Vents: Crucial to a Comprehensive Attic Ventilation System
Ridge vents are an important component of roof ventilation systems. Homeowners will notice these vents installed along the roof peaks.
Ridge vents always include a mesh cover or another type of porous protective covering to regulate airflow while also protecting the home from snow and rain damage. Regular roof inspections ensure that these coverings are not damaged by birds and wildlife. Rips or holes in the mesh coverings allow for snow and moisture to enter the home, leading to mold or other damage.
Attic Fans for Climate Control and Roof Protection
Attic fans are another type of attic ventilation. Fans circulate air in the attic, using vents to release hot, moist air and replace it with drier, cooler air from the environment.
Attic fans serve two purposes: ventilation and cooling. Fans pull moisture from the attic and circulate air in the space, decreasing the pressure from the AC. As hot air rises, the attic holds the most heat in the home. Unfortunately, this bubble of heat also warms up the spaces below. Attic fans keep the rest of the home cooler by improving air circulation. These fans also can be used in mild but warm spring weather to add a cooler breeze to the home.
These fans were once known as “whole house fans” and were very popular during the ‘50s and ‘60s when central air conditioning was not a common home feature. They offered a bit of respite during hot summer days. Older homes often feature these fans.
Solar Attic Fans
Solar power continues to grow in popularity. For homes that utilize attic fans for ventilation, installing a solar power attic fan provides an eco-friendly option.
Solar attic fans use the sun to power the fan and ventilate the attic. Solar attic fans vary in price, from around $300 to nearly $1,000, but these prices do not account for professional installation. Should homeowners invest in a solar attic fan?
Today’s Homeowner discusses the pros and cons of solar-powered attic fans to help homeowners make a more informed decision. The publication’s takeaway focuses on how often homeowners venture into the attic. This type of fan might not be the best ventilation choice for those who don’t need to work in the attic.
Know the Signs of Inadequate Attic Ventilation
A summer roof inspection helps homeowners assess the viability of their attic ventilation systems. Here are five warning signs of poor attic ventilation:
Mold or mildew growth in the attic
Increasing energy costs during summer
Pest infestations in the attic
Damaged or sagging shingles (from excessive moisture)
An unpleasant odors (often described as “musty”)
When homeowners notice one or more of these signs, call Eureka Contracting and Roofing to schedule a roof inspection. When our team discovers poor attic ventilation, we help homeowners understand all their options for new ventilation systems. Schedule an appointment today!
FAQ
Are attic ventilation fans a good idea?
Attic ventilation fans circulate the air in the attic, providing thermoregulation and moisture control. These fans were popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and many homeowners installed them to help cool the home and vent the attic. The team at Eureka Contracting and Roofing helps homeowners understand if this ventilation system is the best choice for their needs and budget.
Is attic ventilation necessary?
Yes! Attic ventilation protects the roof’s structural integrity by controlling the moisture level and temperature of the attic. A properly ventilated attic protects the roof from excessive moisture and mold damage. In addition, increased moisture also draws pests and leads to higher energy costs.
Can you over ventilate your attic?
Reputable roofing companies abide by the ICC’s codes that mandate proper ventilation system installation. Eureka Contracting and Roofing follows all ICC codes when installing these systems to facilitate optimum performance.
How much ventilation does an attic need?
Attic ventilation systems must be installed per the ICC’s International Residential Code (IRC). This code stipulates precise vent measurements and vent placement.
Do solar attic fans work?
Solar attic vents are extremely efficient in cooling the attic. However, solar attic fans cost more than standard attic fans. For this reason, not all homeowners choose to install these fans.
Schedule a FREE Roof Inspection with Eureka Contracting & Roofing
Eureka Contracting & Roofing has over 30 years of experience in the construction and insurance industry. We offer free one-on-one consultations to discuss your goals, concerns, and ideas and will provide a free roof evaluation with your best interest in mind. Call 636-938-ROOF or click www.eurekacontracting.com to learn more and schedule your free roof inspection.
About the Author:
Eureka Contracting & Roofing is a top-rated, Veteran-owned, fully licensed, and insured roofing business in Eureka, Missouri. By putting 30 years of experience to work, we ensure that our residential and commercial customer's roofs, gutters, shingles, soffits, and siding are expertly installed, maintained, repaired, or replaced. We make properties better– the proof is in the roof!
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