Top Benefits of Proper Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation is one of the most important factors in preventing weather-related damage to your home. The heat and humidity that builds up in an unventilated attic can ruin plaster, drywall and exterior paint, and it also weakens the structural integrity of your home. The high cost of repairing these problems would more than pay for installing proper ventilation.

Here are the three top benefits of proper attic ventilation:

Keeps Attic Cool

Good ventilation helps keep the attic cool in summer. As the sun heats up the roof, an even flow of air passes under the sheathing and prevents the transfer of heat from the roof to the attic. Good airflow also helps move heat out before it radiates into the attic floor. Preventing excessive heat from entering your living space means that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

Reduces Condensation

Proper ventilation can help reduce moisture condensation in winter. When warm air pushed upward from the floor of the attic meets cold attic air, it condenses into moisture in an unventilated attic. Moisture causes mold and rot on the wood in the attic, and dripping water can saturate the insulation, making it ineffective. High humidity in the attic can also cause the deterioration of roofing materials, leading some manufacturers to refuse to honor warranties on roofing materials if the attic isn’t properly vented.

Prevents Ice Dams

Attic ventilation helps prevent ice dams. Ice dams occur when a cover of snow on a sloping roof gets heated from below and slides down to the eaves. Melting water from ice dams can back up under the shingles and leak into the house through the ceiling and windows. Many homeowners think it’s a gutter problem because it results in masses of icicles hanging from the roof.

The right combination of attic insulation and ventilation can help you see significant savings in your heating and cooling costs, as well as prevent other issues arising in your home. Triple Peaks Roofing & Construction has the expertise you want to assess your home’s ventilation needs. Contact us for a free roofing assessment today!