Attic ventilation is a critical yet often overlooked part of your McKinney roofing system. Good attic ventilation not only helps maintain good indoor air quality, but it also plays an important role in your roof’s health. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit, you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad, if not worse.
Unfortunately, many homeowners have misconceptions about how attic ventilation works. Kangaroo Contractors, your local McKinney roofing expert, sheds light on the top three myths:
Myth: Roof Vents = Proper Ventilation
Not all roof vents are ideal for different homes. For instance, ridge vents may be the most cost-effective type available, but without baffles that help the intake vents on your soffits communicate with the ridge vents (exhaust), they won’t be able to provide any ventilation at all. Gable vents can circulate air effectively, but only in a limited area of the attic. An effective ventilation system makes use of a ridge-and-soffit continuous system. This design can vary from roof to roof, however, so to get the best ventilation system for your home, turn to our professional team.
At first it may seem odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to enter the attic through vents, but this combination is the key to a durable and energy-efficient home. In the summer, good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life. In the winter, warm, moist air builds up in the attic from the living space below. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. That keeps your attic dry and reduces moisture buildup.
Myth: Vents Don’t Work in McKinney Winters
A common belief among homeowners is that roof ventilation only comes in handy during the summer, where it can provide energy efficiency. While ventilation does impact energy efficiency, roofing shingle color, amount of sun exposure and insulation are also critical components of your home’s overall energy efficiency. Ventilation is particularly important when it comes to moisture damage prevention.
Myth: More Vents = Better
Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems and decreased energy efficiency, but too much ventilation can be just as bad for your home. Vents add roof penetrations, essentially more places where leaks can occur. Vents regulate the temperature in your attic, but you don’t want to start needlessly increasing the number of these penetrations.
How much ventilation does your roof actually need? Kangaroo Contractors offers a FREE professional assessment of your McKinney roof. As a reputable McKinney roofing contractor, we can provide you with expert services. Call us at (469) 414-1004 to request a FREE estimate today. We serve McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano, Prosper and surrounding communities in Collin County.
Portions of this post first appeared here.