Being a homeowner, there are so many details you need to figure out to make sure your home is safe and running efficiently. One of the items you might have come across, in discussing home ownership, might be roof ventilation. If your roof isn’t currently vented, do you know if it needs to be? Here is some more information to help you determine if your home needs roof ventilation.
 
More isn’t always better
Just like purchasing a new furnace for your home, you want to make sure you get the accurate size for the amount of house you have. If you get one that’s too small it’ll be overworked, and if it’s too big you’ll be using unnecessary resources. With insufficient ventilation, you could find you have moisture issues during the winter and inefficiencies in the summer. If you have too much ventilation, though, the problems could be just as bad, if not worse, than not enough: roof vents mean you’re penetrating areas of the roof to put the vents in, which means an increased number of spots where leaks can happen. Some vents are necessary for your home’s efficiency, of course, but too many vents will increase the chances of massive water leaks in your home.
 
Vents don’t always help with efficiency
Many people think that vents increase a home’s efficiency. There are other factors, like shingle colour, sun exposure and a home’s insulation, that contribute more to a home’s overall efficiency than roof vents. In older homes, having roof vents can help some with reducing hot air during the summer however other things, like updating insulation, might be a more cost effective way to achieve efficiency.
 
Prevent moisture damage
Roof vents, especially in colder climates, can help prevent moisture damage in your home – even more than they do in warmer climates. Homes in environments that experience multiple seasons actually benefit more from roof ventilation than those homes in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop drastically during the year. Since the temperature changes so much in these environments, condensation will build up – almost like dew on the grass – and you want to make sure this moisture doesn’t stay in your home and cause issues with the structure of your home.
 
Keep warm air inside in the winter
Roof vents in your home will not actually remove warm air from your home, this is a myth most people think happens because hot air rises and therefore will escape through the vents. If this is happening in your home, it’s more likely to do with poor insulation than roof ventilation.
 
Almost all homes, especially those in climates that experience changes in temperature, can benefit from some roof ventilation. Too many vents will open your home up to the risk of leaks, and a lot of unnecessary moisture coming into the attic or crawl space, but insufficient ventilation means your home may not be as efficient as it could be. Proper amounts of ventilation will ensure your home is running at its best and will make sure moisture isn’t trapped in the home. 

Next – 5 Signs its time for a new roof
​Learn more about roof vents here.