How to choose your roofing ventilation products
A proper ventilation system installed with your new roof can make your roof last up to twice as long. This is the most overlooked and critical part to your new roofing system. All shingle manufacturers require a proper ventilation system to maintain the warranty on your roof.
We’ve seen roofs ruined in less that five years due to heat build up in the attic that has no where to go and ends up buckling or curling the shingles on the roof. YOU MUST GET THE EXCESS HEAT OUT.
The other reason for proper roofing ventilation products is humidity control. Excess moisture can get stuck in the attic and cause mold, or wetness on roof decks, insulation or anything else in the attic space.
The most common roofing ventilation products put on new shingles roof today is RIDGE-VENT systems. Â Ridge-vent is a continuous venting system that is installed on the peak of your house. A channel is cut 3/4 on an inch on either side of the ridge into the roof deck, and the vent placed over top. Â Of course a proper 1/1 ration is required for optimal function.
Other common venting systems are static vents, turbine vents, power vents and gable venting.
Entire websites have been written on proper ventilation alone. If you have anything other than a simple ranch style home with soffits on either side you may need something special. Below we’ll explore some ventilation systems and there uses.
Comprehensive listing roofing ventilation products available
Ridge Venting The most common application on newly installed shingled roofs today is the ridge-vent. Ridge Venting is an excellent solution as long as you have proper intake venting, usually found at the eaves edge of your home or building. The goal here is to create a balanced system with intake venting matching your total outtake(ridge-vent) ventilation volume. Most commonly achieved by double the intake Linear footage(2 sides) with the ridge venting being double either individual side. |
Static VentsOr stationary vents often referred to as “can vents” These are simply metal covers over a hole cut into your roof deck. They were the most common venting product used on residential housing for over 50 years. and are still in use today. |
Turbine Vents Essentially a small pipe over a hole in your roof deck that has blades inside that spin with the wind. While the wind is blowing these can drastically increase airflow. Only negative, no wind no movement. |
Power VentsMost typically an electrical powered fan in your attic. Some of the more sophisticated ones have automatic controls for humidity and temperature. An ideal solution for most “hip” roofs and the like. Some new “solar powered” fans have hit the market in recent years when there is some solar energy they are on when not they do nothing. |
Gable Vents Vents that are cut into the siding on gable ends of a house. Usually seen in combinations of two to let airflow from side to side in an attic. |
Insulated DecksInsulated decks are a sandwich of deck board with insulation in between that may be furred out to allow an air space underneath. Most common application is in cathedral ceilings. |
Eaves Edge Venting A plastic vent placed on the roof deck near the eaves edge. A channel is cut into the decking and this vent place over top, then shingled over from there.. For applications where there is no overhang present and the use of drip edge venting in impractical. |
Vent-less Roofing Systems Some new construction has been done with so called vent-less roof systems installed. This is where a contractor sprays an insulation product on the underside of the deck of the roof in between all the rafter spaces.  Following is a good video showing you can foam and vent at same time with a little prep-work   Video of Roof Foam Being installed |
 Roofing Ventilation Products Calculator
Link to download from AirventÂ