What Are the Attic Ventilation Options?
by William Gerard
If you have an attic on the top floor of your home, it is important that you have efficient ventilation. The attic can not only have an effect on your home, but on the roof as well. If you lack proper ventilation, your roofing materials might start deteriorating due to high heat and extra moisture. Here are some of the different attic ventilation options to consider.
Mechanical and Non-Mechanical
Before you get into the specific types of attic vents, you first need to decide between mechanical and non-mechanical. The least common option but one that is very effective is a mechanical vent. This is an attic vent that is powered by electricity. This vent can push air out or draw it in, depending on your needs. They are often installed as cubic roof vents, domed roof vents, or as gable vents. You will learn more about these below.
The more common option is to get a non-mechanical attic vent. These are adjusted manually and work without the use of electricity or a motor. Non-mechanical vents include all the major varieties, including soffit vents, gable vents, and ridge vents.
Gable Attic Vents
If you want a mechanical or motorized attic vent, you will most likely choose the gable vent. These are installed just below the roof's apex, often at the end of the house near where the garage is attached. The gable is the part of the house that comes to a peak, so if you have a peak, you will most likely have a gable. The gable vent is effective at getting rid of hot air that is in your attic by pushing it out.
Ridge Attic Vents
Another type of vent that goes near where the roof comes to a peak is called a ridge attic vent. This type of vent is longer and runs along the ridge of where your roof meets. Unlike the gable vent, this runs along the entire ridge as opposed to just at the peak. This provides excellent exhaust ventilation, not letting any hot air into the attic. If you have a home with shingles, you will most likely want to get a ridge vent.
Soffit Vents
The last type of vent you can get for your attic is a soffit vent. This will be located just underneath where the roof's overhang is located, also known as the eave. This is for intake ventilation, where you want the outdoor cool air to be let into your attic, as opposed to trying to get rid of the hot air inside the attic. For more information, talk to a roofing professional like Marty Robbins Roofing Co Inc.
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Do you know how to tell if you have problems with your flashing, loose shingles, or damaged tar pitch? Well, I didn't either until I experienced some of those issues on my own. One day, I realized that my roof was leaking and that I needed to find a solution fast. After contacting a professional roofing company, they were able to solve my troubles and teach me the signs of trouble. I want you to avoid the same types of hassles, which is why my blog is filled to the brim with information about roofing and home ownership. You never know, these tips could really come in handy!