A good roof is much more than just the shingles that cover it. To give your home the best of everything, it's also crucial that you pay attention to other factors. And one of the most important – yet overlooked – aspects of your roofing system is ventilation.

With poor ventilation, insulation R-Values mean little, decay and rot can occur, and many other problems can develop. And an estimated 9 out of 10 homes don't have the kind of attic ventilation that is needed – simply because they're not aware of how important this is. At Next-Door Contractors, we believe in making sure that you're educated on all things roofing related so you can trust our A1 certified team to ensure that every aspect of your roof is in place properly.

The Importance of Attic Ventilation

Did you know that summertime temperatures in an attic with poor ventilation can exceed 160 degrees? Combine this with vapors and condensation due to poor ventilation and it becomes apparent that this is a serious problem. Just how serious? Consider some of the problems that it can lead to:

• Hot air building up in the attic until it penetrates down into the living area of your home
• Premature aging and damage to the shingles of your roof
• Warping and cracking of your framing
• Damage to siding or paint
• Mildew growth
• Buckling of shingles
• Higher energy bills

When your attic is ventilated properly, it helps move hot air out of the attic and as a result helps reduce the load on your AC system. This improves longevity of your system while also reducing overall cooling costs.

Additionally, the moisture from your home's appliances and showers can lead to higher levels of moisture within the attic. And if your attic isn't vented properly, that leads to major buildup of moisture which can fall onto the insulation. When this occurs, the insulation's effectiveness is greatly reduced.

So what makes an attic well-ventilated? Essentially, you want a continuous flow of air to occur. Soffits or eaves should bring air into the attic, which is then expelled through the roof ridge vents. The FHA recommends at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space in order to receive the best results.

At Next-Door Contractors, our experts understand not only roofing, but attics as well. Contact us for an inspection off your home's attic and we'll give you a diagnosis regarding your overall attic health. There's a lot to pay attention to here, but our team can ensure that you get the best attic ventilation and that you can rest easy knowing your home is functioning as it should. Contact us now at 512-980-8366} for your free inspection and consultation.