The vast majority of homeowners are under-informed when it comes to the topic of attic ventilation. Sure, it’s not the most intriguing opening line at parties, but a properly ventilated attic can add years to the life of your roof, can improve the efficiency of your home, and may improve your health. There is some measure of precision required in gauging the amount of ventilation your attic requires. As with an HVAC unit, you need to work with the proportions of your home rather than assuming more is better. If you have too little air circulation in you attic, you will waste energy cooling your home in the summer; in cooler weather, poor ventilation will result in an excess of moisture, which could lead to mold. More than ten percent of Americans have an allergy to mold, so you home could be making you sick. Unfortunately, it’s easy to go overboard with ventilation, and too much of a good thing is most definitely a bad thing in this case. If you overcompensate by installing numerous roof vents, your roof will be more vulnerable to leaks and storms, and will be weaker overall. Therefore, the best strategy is to speak to a roofing expert to avoid letting your attic be a source of problems for your home.

A good rule of thumb is that for every 300 square feet of space you have in your attic, you will need one square foot of ventilation. And remember, the size of the vent doesn’t always reflect the amount of ventilation; there are several factors that interfere with ventilation, including the grates that keep debris from entering your home.

Another popular misconception about attic ventilation is that it is strictly a concern in warm weather. While proper air circulation is important to your home’s efficiency, attic ventilation works best in tandem with insulation, thermal barriers, and roofing materials. The truth is, it is the cool weather that poses the greatest risk to poorly ventilated attics. Roof vents do not, as many people believe, allow warmth to escape in the winter. They do, however, help eliminate the damp air that can cause damage to our insulation, and to the usually unfinished wood surfaces in your attic. If this problems goes unaddressed too long, you could have a dangerous and expensive problem on your hands.

While it is helpful to do your own research on the type and amount of ventilation your attic may need, the best thing you can do is find a roofer or a home inspector who understands the concerns of your particular climate, and the types of ventilation that work best in your area. Even if you have roof, vents, it is worth it to have them checked. They may not be performing up to par for a variety of reasons, and a professional can diagnose any such problems and recommend a solution. Then you can rest easy knowing your attic ventilation system is helping and not hurting your home.

www.CreativeEnergyExteriors.com is the leading Richmond home improvement with dedicated service and installation teams serving Richmond, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and surrounding areas.

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Author Bio: www.CreativeEnergyExteriors.com is the leading Richmond home improvement with dedicated service and installation teams serving Richmond, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and surrounding areas.

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