Good ventilation is what you want when it comes to a healthy roofing system. When the ventilation system works well, energy use operates at high efficiency, and you avoid damage to the shingles, wood framing, ceiling, siding, paint and wall paper of your home.
Your home roofing ventilation system consists of two main parts: the exhaust vents and the intake vents. Your eaves, soffits or fascias of the roof do the in-take of the fresh cooler air while your ridge vents allow the hot, moist air to escape.
RIDGE VENTS
Ridge vents are installed at the peak of a sloped roof. They allow damp, warm air to escape from the attic. When properly installed they increase energy efficiency and prolong roof life.
FASCIA
Fascia, the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of your roof is an important part of your entire roofing system:
1. It carries all the guttering (and therefore the weight of rain as well.)
2. Part of the system that seals your roofing system from the outdoors (weather, small animals)
3. Serves as ventilation for your attic.
4. Provides additional aesthetics.
SOFFIT
The soffit works with the fascia as part of your roofing ventilation system. It is found under the fascia board. This is usually the board you see the most of from the street level. The soffit has small holes that allow air to circulate through it. Also, it serves to seal your roofing system from small animals and it can add aesthetics to your entire home.
EAVE
The eave is the lower edge of a roof which is usually overhanging beyond the roof edge. As well as a part of your roofing ventilation system, it serves a critical purpose in preserving the overall structure of your home. It sheds rainwater away from your siding and trim, especially away from your doors and window sills. Eaves help to greatly reduce rot, mildew and a host of other problems that can arise from water streaming down the face of your home. Eaves can also add an attractive design element to any home.
Different home and roof designs call for different combinations of parts to make the best roofing ventilation system. Each roof needs to be assessed by a dependable roofing professional to provide the ventilation system that will meet your individual needs. Be sure to call on a roofing contractor that you can trust.