Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation for Colorado Homes

Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation for Colorado Homes

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Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation for Colorado Homes

Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation for Colorado Homes

We have found that many homeowners from Colorado have problems with their upstairs cooling down. Usually, when we investigate, we find that they do not have proper attic ventilation. This lack of airflow makes it very hot and can eventually lead to the roof burning through. To fix this, the homeowners will need to replace their roofs. Most of them recently had their roof replaced, but the roofing company they used decided to save money by not adding any ventilation. But because the owners didn’t know anything about ventilation, they were unaware of how important it was to their whole house, which resulted in even worse problems.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your attic very often. But the truth is, your attic is a crucial part of your home – and it needs to be properly ventilated. In this blog post, we will discuss why attic ventilation is so important – and how to get it for your home.

Table of Contents:

  • What is Proper Attic Ventilation and its Benefits
  • Reasons to have proper attic ventilation during the summer and winter
  • Different Types of attic ventilation
  • Signs That Your Home has Poor Attic Ventilation

What is Proper Attic Ventilation and its Benefits

Ventilation is a system that helps your house breathe. Fresh air comes in through the attic, and the heat escapes. This keeps the heat from staying next to the floor of the attic and entering the area below it. The amount of air coming into your attic should equal the amount of air leaving your attic. This is called a balanced ventilation system. Air flows in through intake vents and out through exhaust vents.

Cooler air can enter the attic through these vents. You’ve probably heard that heat rises due to “convection,” which occurs when cooler air from the intake vents pushes warmer air up and out through the exhaust vents near the ridge. There are various distinct sorts of exhaust vents, which we shall discuss in a moment.

None of the exhaust vents will operate if your home lacks sufficient intake ventilation. Heat and cold will harm your roof and limit its lifespan if the air in your attic is not allowed to circulate around and escape. This will also void the shingle manufacturer’s warranty. The amount of ventilation an attic need varies depending on each home. You should have at least one square foot for every 300 sq ft that is covered by roof space, as stated in a publication released by the U.S Federal Housing Authority. This will ensure your house stays cool during hot summer days and warm through winter nights.

Reasons to have proper attic ventilation during the summer 

In Colorado, attic ventilation is especially important during the summer months when temperatures can reach triple digits. Without proper attic ventilation, your attic can become incredibly hot and can cause damage to your roof and insulation.

One of the main reasons proper attic ventilation is important in the summer is that it helps keep your home cool. When the hot air from outside gets into your attic, it can cause your roof to heat up. This can lead to increased cooling costs and even structural damage. Proper attic ventilation can help prevent this by allowing the hot air to escape and the cooler air to enter.

Another reason why proper attic ventilation is important in the summer is that it can help protect your home from moisture damage. Excess moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to health problems. Proper attic ventilation can help prevent this by allowing the moist air to escape and the dry air to enter.

So, as you can see, there are many reasons why proper attic ventilation is important in the summer. If you’re not sure if your attic is properly ventilated, be sure to consult a professional. They can help you determine if you need to make any changes and can provide you with the best solutions for your home.

Why is proper attic ventilation more important in the winter?

You might be surprised when we tell you that proper ventilation is more important in the winter than it would be during summer. Most people from Colorado and everywhere else don’t realize that when the heat and moisture from inside the home travel to the cold attic, it causes condensation, which can lead to a lot of problems, like water damage, rotting wood, and mold.

Condensation on the underside of a roof can cause serious problems for your home. The decking can swell from the moisture, and this can cause the decking to warp or even pop off.

In addition to helping keep your home warm and preventing condensation buildup, proper attic ventilation can also help protect your home from pests. Many pests, such as termites and carpenter ants, are attracted to moist environments. By keeping the attic well ventilated, you can make it less hospitable to these pests and help keep them out of your home.

Different types of attic ventilation

Active and passive ventilation are the two types of ventilation systems. Air from the outside is used to push air out of the interior with active ventilation systems. Passive ventilation uses wind to move the air in the attic.

Active Attic Ventilation

Common Types of Active Attic Ventilation

The active ventilation system on your roof is important for its life of it. It will help keep you from having to worry about leaks and other problems by drawing air in through intake vents then pushing out all that unwanted humidity with exhaust outlets. Here are some types of active vents:

1. Whirlybird/Turbine Vents

Turbine vents are incredible because they create a drawing effect through convection even when there is no wind. Properly sized, it exchanges the air in your attic 10-12 times per hour. Shortly after sunset, the temperature inside remains at an equal level as that outside.

We have been installing turbine vents for many years, and it’s time we put an end to all those pesky myths about it. Some people think that rain, snow, and insects can come in through the slats on the vents or that the vent will let water in if it’s raining. We can assure you that the vents are designed so that none of this happens. Unless the vent is damaged, it will work perfectly without any problems. The vents will not be seen from the front of your house if they are properly installed.

2. Power Vents

Power vents are great for cooling your home during hot summer days, but they can also cause problems. The motor inside often breaks down and needs to be replaced or repaired when it gets too cold outside – which is why some people install them in climates where there isn’t much humidity like Colorado. Keep in mind that if you use a power vent in the winter, you must use a humidistat., or else the humidity will build up and cause water damage.

3. Ridge Vents

Ridge vents are an excellent way to improve your home’s ventilation. They are barely visible from the ground and can run the length of the roof, offering a great source of cooling or heating. A passive ridge vent is one that does not have a baffle to help with the airflow. One disadvantage of this vent is that if it does not have a filter, rain, snow, insects, and debris can enter the attic.

4. Solar-powered Vents

Solar-powered vents are similar to ordinary power vents; however, they are powered by the sun. They conserve energy, but the issue is that the solar-powered battery switches off when it is charging. That means the solar panel won’t be able to charge the vent for the entire day. As a result, while the battery is recharging, your air conditioner may operate longer, causing your energy bill to rise.

Common Types of Passive Attic Ventilation

Passive Attic Ventilation

Passive roof ventilation systems use natural forces like wind and convection to move air through your attic. There are no moving parts, so it is very quiet and does not require a lot of maintenance. Some common examples of passive vents are:

1. Static Vents

The way static vents work is by letting hot air escape out of the roof, and then convection allows for this heat to flow through different channels in order to make its way back down again.

2. Ridge vents without a baffle

As mentioned earlier, ridge vents are cut into the roof ridge and run its length. If they don’t have a baffle, then this allows debris to enter your attic as well rain or snow, for example, because there is no blocking material between them at all.

3. Gable End Vents

The gable end vent is a common sight on the roofs of many houses. It usually has an overhanging slope, which helps with shedding water away from your home’s foundation and stopping any leaks early if they arise.

4. Soffit Vents

Soffit vents circulate air throughout your attic to eliminate humidity and mildew. Fresh air enters the vent from the soffit or siding of the house and departs through another vent on the roof, ensuring that only fresh air enters and stale air exits. These vents can also be used to direct rainfall away from the house.

What are some signs that you might need better attic ventilation?

It’s simple to determine whether your attic has ventilation. However, it may be necessary to consult with a trustworthy, qualified roofing specialist to determine whether it has the necessary vents to effectively air your attic space. The majority of houses aren’t properly ventilated. Here are a few indications that your ventilation system isn’t working as expected:

  • Excessive heat upstairs
  • High energy costs
  • Peeling or blistering paint on your walls or ceilings
  • Rust on the metal components of your roof from excessive moisture
  • Shingles that are curling
  • Roof damage
  • Stains on your ceiling
  • Damage to siding
  • Mold and mildew
  • Ice damming

Do you think your attic might not be well-ventilated?

A poorly ventilated attic should never exist. Unfortunately, it’s a common thing in Colorado. If you suspect your attic and roof have inadequate ventilation, do some research to find a skilled, reliable roofing contractor to check your attic and roof.

We at Crazy Horse Roofing have many years of experience helping people with their attic ventilation. We are proud of our award-winning service and the trust our customers have in us- so give us a call today (970) 397-5306 or contact us online here.

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