Ventilation is essential in any building infrastructure; this vital component is the primary regulation of the movement of air inside and outside the attic space. It provides comfort to all the occupants; averts damage to other major housing structures; blocks the formation of mold; and helps control the consumption of energy. These air passages are normally positioned on the lower portion (intake) of the roof behind the soffit while the outlet is generally positioned in line with the length of the ridge.
There are some houses with no overhang and soffit for this to be accomplished. In cases such as this, it is undoubtedly necessary to contact a roofer professional who can install air intake and outlet ducts to avoid the problems associated with an unvented structure.
Importance
There are many reasons why any roofing system requires adequate ventilation. Such a system helps in the following ways. In addition to the previously mentioned moisture control, proper ventilation increases the service life of a roof, decreases utility costs, and increases the comfort level of all rooms of the building.
For homes located in colder climates, it is important to get rid of attic moisture in order to control the formation of ice dams. When deciding how to prevent moisture, it is important to consider how moisture gets into the attic or crawlspace. The primary source of entry is through air or water leaks, water vapor development, and holes.
In order to achieve proper moisture control, the point of entry must be determined and eliminated. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to completely prevent all moisture from entering an attic space; therefore, proper ventilation is essential to at least avoid an undue accumulation of such humidity. This is best accomplished by allowing air to enter through an intake duct and exit through an outlet duct. Remember that although intake air ducts should be placed at the eaves or behind the fascia, there are some buildings that have been designed with no overhang for the installation of these components.
Solutions
Regulating the flow of air in the attic space is essential to limit moisture accumulation. For those buildings without overhangs, it is still necessary to install an air passage system to help eliminate the potential moisture problem and there are several possible solutions for such a scenario.
- Specialized Products – These specialty items are installed on the lower portion of the decking and placed directly beneath the first layer of shingle. An example of this type of product is the ‘smart vent,’ which is made from tapered plastic that has a one-inch slot-cut duct opening and can be positioned six inches from the lower part of the roof edge.
- Concealed Intake Duct – This duct is constructed at the upper-most part of the building wall. The top siding board is removed and spacer blocks are placed about an inch apart to create a spaced-out wall and serve as an intake duct. For buildings with no overhang, this method can be achieved by removing the gutter and hanging a new spaced-out siding board.
- Building Overhang and Soffit – This method is best obtained by slightly extending the decking to cover the extension of the edge.
A house without an adequate air passage system can be a problem in the making. Understanding the importance of a proper ventilation system to prohibit the accumulation of moisture and avoid any major structural damage can help buildings with no overhangs. The important thing is to realize that the apparent lack of space for roofing ventilation can be handled by professional roofing companies. Avoid any future problems and take care of that lack of proper ventilation today!
When it comes to creating new ventilation opportunities to help cool your home during the summer, the project will require a College Station roofer who has the knowledge and training to create an opening into your home that does allow water, moisture, and other outside elements to follow. They should also know how to install ventilation that seamlessly integrates into the design and architecture of your home.