4 Home Ventilation Myths Debunked
Your roof may seem like a relatively straightforward piece of your home: there are shingles, gutters, and vents, and that’s basically it, right?
Wrong!
Several factors go into the structure of a typical roof, especially related to your home’s ventilation system and how it keeps you dry and comfortable. Many people don’t understand what makes a home ventilation system work, so to help, we’re going to dispel some of the most common home ventilation myths out there.
1. MYTH: Just install more vents. How hard can it be?
You may already know that properly ventilating your attic is necessary to keep your home in good shape. Balance in the key to having an efficient attic ventilation system. When balanced, a properly designed ventilation system will assure a continuous supply of air moves through the attic space, fighting off heat and moisture. In fact, there’s a sweet spot when it comes to proper ventilation, and it depends on how your home’s ventilation system was designed.
- An unbalanced system doesn’t allow air to properly flow through your attic.
- Allows unwanted cool or hot air in
- Creates vulnerable spots that are prone to leaks
- Can cause damage to attic insulation
Most building codes us the 1/300 rule for minimum residential attic ventilation recommendations.This means that for every 300 square feet of enclosed attic space, 1 square foot of ventilation is required – with half at the upper portion (exhaust vents) and half in the lower portion (intake vents). This formula is traditionally used for static roof vents which are rated for Net Free Area in terms of square inches. Your local roofing professional can help you calculate what’s needed for your home.
2. MYTH: Cover your roof vents in winter, as they allow heat to escape.
This is a more common ventilation myth than it should be. It’s likely due to misleading advertisements directing homeowners to buy vent covers to keep their houses warmer in the winter. But doing so can lead to big problems—your vents were installed to operate year-round, and covering them up can produce moisture build-up in your attic, which could mean mold and other serious damage.
3. MYTH: There’s only one way to properly ventilate your home.
Not true! There are multiple types of attic ventilation, and they break down into two main categories: active and passive.
Active ventilation uses mechanical fans to circulate air. This type of ventilation is typically used in settings that may encounter significant humidity and stagnant airflow, such as commercial kitchens.
Passive ventilation refers to natural airflow that’s allowed through openings in your attic or roof, like gables, soffits, and roof vents.
Every house is different, and your ventilation system should be designed specifically for your home and climate.
4. MYTH: I live in Colorado, so my home doesn’t need a ventilation system.
Even though Colorado has a usually dry climate, your home needs adequate roof ventilation to stay in good shape and protect you and your family. Most notably, we experience a lot of temperature swings in Colorado, especially leading into summer and winter, which can create unwanted moisture accumulation in your attic. What’s worse is that if your ventilation system isn’t set up correctly, you may not even know you have moisture in your attic until it’s too late.
No matter where you live in Colorado, your home must be properly ventilated, or you may end up with some severe damages to repair.
Call J&K Roofing to Make Sure Your Roof is Properly Ventilated
These four myths are just a few of the incorrect assumptions circulating about home and attic ventilation. Ventilation mistakes happen all the time when builders and roofers don’t understand the science around ventilation. Our team is trained and skilled in correctly ventilating your home. If you have questions about ensuring your home is adequately ventilated, we’re here for you.
Give us a call at 303-425-7531 or click here to schedule your free inspection today!