West Michigan Roof Ventilation

Most people don’t really think about the roof ventilation system until there is a problem. Many West Michigan homes have ice dams but that doesn’t have to be the case. Before you replace your roof, however, it’s important to understand ventilation as a key feature so that you can get the most value from your home improvement project. You can read about the many benefits of roof ventilation in the information below, or contact Character Exteriors to get answers to any of your questions about your roof’s thermal needs during a free, no-obligation on-site consultation.

Why Is Roof Ventilation Important for Your Property?

There are several different types of roof ventilation, but they all serve basically the same purpose: they allow air to flow freely into and out of your attic. Some benefits include:

• Creates a more well balanced home or building and adds value thru the savings of a properly breathing thermal envelope.
• Reduces or eliminates icing caused from temperature fluctuations due to interior warm temperatures mixing with cold air in winter months causing melting.
• Helps keeps interior temperatures consistent and reduces the load on heating and cooling appliances.
• Reduces the wear and tear on the roofing materials of your structure by allowing for cooling to take place beneath the roof deck where heat will often build up.

Types of Roof Ventilation for West Michigan Homes

While some ventilation is better than none, the best roof ventilation systems are those specifically designed for the size and build of each specific property. Since no two roofs are exactly the same, no two roof ventilation systems should be, either! At Character Exteriors, we specialize in custom ventilation systems comprised of several types of vents:

• Ridge Vents: Ridge vents are installed along the roof peaks, allowing the hot air that rises into the roof system to escape. The optimal time to install ridge venting is during a roof replacement, however cutting in ridge venting can be done to an existing shingle roof.
• Soffit Vents: Are imperative as they allow air into the roof system from an area of the structure called the cornice. On the eaves of the home this allows air to flow upward and cool areas down forcing warm air to rise and exhaust thru roof ventilation.
• Gable-End Vents: Gable Vents are used when soffit venting is not accessible in times such as some Cape Cod style homes or homes with attic spaces above vaulted ceilings. Often these vents are short circuiting the air flow from the soffit up to the ridge of the roof but there are certainly times where this type of venting is a great option.
• Powered Attic Ventilators: Electrically powered and mechanical units are often a last resort as they require additional maintenance over the years and are often more costly than standard roof venting options. There are times and places for the units to be used but they are not often a first choice due to the negatives listed above.

Request Your Comprehensive Roofing Inspection and Ventilation Estimate Today

Roof ventilation plays an important role in the performance and efficiency of your roofing system, and you should discuss this feature with a trusted local roofing contractor like Character Exteriors. When you need expertise in roof ventilation of almost any kind, contact Character Exteriors today! Call us at 269-569-6105.