Australia is a country that experiences varying weather conditions: summer temperatures that skyrocket to scorching levels, monsoonal rains and high humidity levels. These conditions set the stage for heat and moisture buildup in your attic space. Without proper ventilation, your house can turn from a cosy home to a sweltering petri dish full of wood rot and mould. This handy guide will give an overview of roof ventilation system’s mode of action and effects.
Roof ventilation takes care of the airflow of your house. It lets air out of your attic space, releasing excess heat, moisture and pollutants. Ventilation raises the quality of air inside your house and prevents your roof and supporting structure from getting damaged and warped from the humidity. Think of it like the lungs for your house; the roof ventilation lets your home inhale clean, fresh and dry air while exhaling out the old air laden with moisture and waste gases. The intake system on roof ventilation is made up of eave or soffit vents and exhaust vents consisting of ridge or gable vents or powered attic fans that push hot air along with moisture out of the house.
Types of Roof Ventilation Systems: Passive vs. Active
There are different types of roof ventilation systems broadly categorised into passive and active systems. Passive roof ventilation doesn’t need energy to operate. It works off natural convection principles and strategically placed vents that let in or take out the air in the attic space. Active ventilation systems such as attic fans are powered, and these ventilate a space rapidly compared to passive ventilation. They are ideal in low wind or high humidity conditions, where natural convection currents are low. The two systems can be complementary and used together to achieve optimal ventilation.
Benefits of Roof ventilation
A well-ventilated roof means a cooler attic. This also means that your air conditioning bills go down as you do not need as much power to maintain the already cool space.
Roof ventilation reduces the chances of mould building up in your attic. Mould exposure isn’t pretty. It causes allergic reactions like headaches, difficulty breathing, wheezing, watery eyes and runny noses. Improved indoor air quality is one that your sinuses will be grateful for.
Wood rot is an expensive side effect of poorly ventilated attics and occurs when humidity affects the structural integrity of the timber. Damp wood is a nightmare to treat and replace, and one that is easily prevented through roof ventilation that keeps the attic space cool and dry.
There are a few things to consider when installing roof ventilation systems, such as building codes, the climate zone you experience, the pitch of your roof and the size of your attic. A trained professional needs to be on-site to gauge all these factors and guide you on the appropriate roof ventilation to install for your home. Roofing ventilation will vary from house to house, and a few bespoke adjustments before installation will optimise your ventilation system’s performance and guarantee its longevity.
Following roof ventilation system installation, maintenance and inspection are the names of the game. These ensure that your system stands the test of time. Simple maintenance like cleaning vents and replacing worn-out components can go a long way in keeping the house cool and fresh for a long time to come.
Roof ventilation systems are a crucial component of any home. They deserve the appropriate consideration in both selection and maintenance. They keep mould and wood rot at bay, improve home air quality and lower AC costs. Proper ventilation should not be an afterthought but a top consideration in how we build our homes.
