From Shingles to Rubber

Roof vents are a part of the roof that many homeowners do not understand very well. This is no surprise. Roofers don't often discuss the vents in as much depth as they discuss other topics like roof materials, fascia, and gutters. While vents are not terribly interesting and don't affect the appearance of your roof very much, they are an essential roof component. So, if you are about to have your roof replaced, knowing the basics about roof vents will come in handy.

What role do roof vents play?

Roof vents basically allow air to escape from your attic. This may not seem that important, but consider that the air inside your attic is often warm, thanks to the heat from sunlight beating down on your roof. If there are no vents to let this warm air escape, the heat will instead pass directly through your roof, which can lead to roof damage over time.

Attic air also has a tendency to get humid. Roof vents allow this humidity to escape, which means you are less likely to get mold in your attic.

What kinds of roof vents exist?

There are three major kinds of roof vents that are used. The first is a ridge vent. It is a raised vent placed along the ridge of the roof. Often, it extends the entire length of the roof. The second type of roof vent is a soffit vent. Placed in the eaves, these vents are unobtrusive and ensure the lower-ceiling portions of your attic stay well-vented. The third common type is a box vent. This type looks like a raised box that sits on top of your roof. There are other styles of roof vents, including cupola vents and off-ridge vents, but they are not that common.

Will your roofer need to add more vents to your new roof?

This depends on how well vented your old roof was, if it was well vented, the roofers will probably just put the same types of vents back in the same places when they re-roof your home. If your attic was often warm or humid, or if you had moldy insulation, this suggests your roof was not well vented. Your roofer will likely add additional new vents when they replace your roof.

Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of roof vents, why they exist, and what they do. For additional information, contact a roof repair service in your area such as Done Right Home Improvements, INC.