Are your roof and attic appropriately ventilated? If not, you could be setting yourself up for structural damage and higher energy bills. Attic ventilation prevents heat buildup in the summer, and roof ventilation ensures that moisture won’t build up in the winter, causing mold, mildew and structural damage in the process. Attic and roof ventilation are essential in Florida—read on to learn all the details.

Make sure you have intake and exhaust ventilation

When you’re installing roof and attic ventilation, make sure that there’s both intake and exhaust ventilation. Intake vents should be low, near the roof’s edge (or in the soffits and eaves), while exhaust vents are placed at the high points of the roof near the ridges. This allows cool, dry air to come in through the intake vents and flush any hot, humid air out the top. This process is called passive ventilation, and is common in home construction.

When venting a roof, the general method is to use one square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. However, your local building codes may have specific regulations, so make sure to check with your roofing contractor before deciding on an approach to ventilation.

Which kind of vents should you choose?

Intake vents are usually installed in the soffits and under eaves, or near the roof’s edge. It’s crucial that you keep insulation away from these vents, since it can block them and prevent fresh air from entering the roof. If you have a gable roof, the vents may be located at the highest peak of the gable.

Exhaust vents can be ridge vents, static vents or powered exhaust vents. Ridge vents typically run the entire length of your roof’s ridge, but are very hard to spot unless you’re a roofing contractor yourself. Since you can’t see the vents, they blend right in and don’t interfere with your roof line.

Static vents protrude from the roof. Some of them have little turbines enclosed, which help vent the hot, humid air while still protecting the attic from rain, wind and other moisture. These are often placed on the back side of the house at the very top, to maximize exhaust while not interfering with aesthetics.

Powered exhaust vents use electrical or solar-powered fans to automatically vent hot air out of the roof. They can be set to turn on when the attic reaches a certain temperature, ensuring your home stays cool and dry all year long.

If you have a finished attic, your roofing contractor may suggest rafter vents. They’re also known as insulation baffles, and won’t affect the way your ceiling looks in the finished attic.

When you need expertly installed roofs—including attic and roof ventilation in Florida—Winter Springs Roofing & Repair, LLC has you covered. Our expert roofing team is happy to install and repair any kind of roof, for both commercial and residential buildings. Reach out to us today to learn more and get a quote for your building.