How Many Roof Vents Do I Need?

When it comes to the proper ventilation of your roof, it’s not just the number of vents needed but also the proper size and positioning of them on your roof. The construction of your roof also plays an important part in determining how many roof vents you need. If your roof was installed with a vapor barrier you would need at least 1 square foot of roof ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. If you do not have a vapor barrier you will need 1 per every 150 square feet of attic.

The roof vents should be evenly spread throughout the roof and there should be 1 for 1 ratio of inlet and outlet vents. A steeper roof will have more attic area and thus affect the amount of ventilation required. Local building codes will determine the number of vents needed based on your attic’s Net Free Area (NFA) but the guidelines above are generally accepted. If you live in the Delaware Valley, the professional roofers at PJ Fitzpatrick can help you achieve the proper amount of roof ventilation. Contact us today for an estimate.

Why Do I Need Roof Vents?

For your roof to provide the best possible protection for your home, it has to breathe. When air is trapped under your roof many problems can develop. Water infiltration is a huge problem for any wooden structure so a properly ventilated roof will help prevent moisture buildup that could cause the formation of mold and mildew.

A well-ventilated roof keeps the attic temperature more consistent which improves your home’s energy efficiency and helps costly heat loss. This regulated temperature also protects you from ice dams in the winter. When air can flow freely beneath your roof, you will maintain the strength and extend the life of your roof.

Types of Roof Vents

Roof vents are more than stacks that come out of the surface of your roof. They can exist in many other areas and in various forms. Each provides improved airflow whether for air intake or exhaust.

Ridge Vents

Running along the edge of the roof, ridge vents are long and narrow and are ideal exhaust vents. They allow hot air to easily escape.

Gable Vents

Providing airflow through the siding via decorative-looking triangles, squares, or rectangles, gable vents are found in the gables rather than the roof itself.

Soffit Vents

Located under the eaves of your roof, soffit vents are primarily intake vents. You can usually see them on just about every home in the area.

Turbine Vents

Protruding from the roof’s surface, turbine vents rotate as a wind-powered turbine that sucks air from inside the attic.

Other Forms of Ventilation

You can also install other air channels such as a powered roof vent, sometimes in conjunction with an attic fan that you can control manually to ventilate your roof.

Professional Roof Vent Installation

Installing roof vents is usually done by a licensed roofer when your roof is installed. If you think that you do not have proper roof ventilation, contact the experts at PJ Fitzpatrick to provide an inspection of your roof to determine any necessary changes to your roof’s ventilation. We’re here to help keep you and your family protected. We’re proud to be the most trusted name in roofing services throughout the Delaware Valley since 1980.