“Roof vent” is a common term often applied to everything from plumbing stacks, to even furnace vents and dryer exhausts. However, we define roof vents as a device designed to remove hot air from the attic in the summer. As well as moisture during the winter. To see the different types of roof vents available, check out our blog post What Types & Styles of Roof Vents Are There?
Roof vents are critical in determining the life expectancy of your roof. It will also affect utility costs and prevent interior damage from condensation and moisture.
It's important to have matching exhaust and intake vents to have proper ventilation.
For most, summer signifies more time outside; ice cream, time with the kids, baseball, a return to the golf course and trips to the pool. But it also means the return of unrelenting heat. That’s why most homes are shielded by attic insulation. However, if your attic isn’t vented then you are making your air conditioner work harder than necessary.
During the summer, some regions can see asphalt shingles reach average temperatures of 125° F or more. This heat transfers from the shingles into your roof deck and lingers in the attic turning it into a veritable oven.
By installing both intake vents and exhaust vents, fresh air can circulate through the attic. This way, hot humid air can effectively escape. This will lower the burden on your air conditioner, insulation, and your power bill.
Venting your attic in the summer makes sense, but how does opening it to cold air in the winter help?
The importance of cooling your attic in the winter has less to do with comfort or utilities. Instead, it will remove harmful moisture from the attic and prevent water damage to the home. The goal is to keep the air temperature inside your attic as close as possible to the temperature outside of your home.