When trying to maximize home efficiency and prolong the life of their roof, homeowners should review different options in attic ventilation. There are two types of ventilation systems: powered ventilation options and passive venting systems that work as the wind blows toward your roof. In both systems, it is best to have intake vents toward the lower part of a roof and exhaust vents closer to the peak. Turtle vents are popular as an affordable, passive exhaust option for homes in Dunwoody.
Exhaust Vents at the Peak
A home performance contractor should set up a system of attic ventilation that is separate from the rest of your home’s conditioned spaces. This is achieved through tight attic floor insulation. Between the floor of the attic and the roof of your home, you want to have the least amount of conditioned air possible, and insulation helps you achieve that. Even though air is entering and exiting your structure, there is no reason to worry about the climate control in the rest of your home when you have proper air sealing and attic floor insulation.
In the attic, air should flow in from the exterior. To achieve this goal, soffit vents for air intake are placed near the lowest part of the roof. The vents should be free of obstructions. The National Roofing Contractors Association describes a product called a baffle that can be installed to handle this job of keeping insulation from blocking intake vents.
Exhaust vents allow for the air coming through the low end of the attic to travel back outside. This system allows moisture to be pulled out of your home, which is important because moisture may otherwise cause damp and mold. Turbine vents, ridge vents and turtle (roof) vents near the peak are the point at which air escapes. Gable vents on a home’s walls just below the gable peak may be used when air travels in that specific direction, though this system works only when there are steady winds in your area.
Why Turtle Vents Are a Viable Option
If you need quality attic ventilation, there is nothing complicated about adding roof vents near the peak of the roof. Roofers will cut the underlayment and install the vents, which act passively and cover small sections of a roof. The vents will take the air passing through soffit vents and allow it to escape at the highest point of the roof.
The turtle vents installed work to remove the moisture in your home at times when humidity is high in the Atlanta area. Powered vents that you can control by a thermostat or switches inside your home are another option when you want to keep moisture levels down. Whatever method you choose, it’s crucial to keep your roof from overheating and to keep moisture levels low during hot Georgia summers. If you have the right amount of attic ventilation, it’s likely that your roof will last as long you expected it to when it was installed.
Reliable Heating & Air can seal up air leaks and make sure you are getting the best HVAC performance. Find out how minor improvements and HVAC maintenance can keep your system running smoothly all year long.
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