Passive Roof Ventilation Ensures A Healthy, Comfortable Home

Although our life depends on it, we rarely think about the air we breathe. Take a moment to inhale, and consider that the freshness of the air we breathe at home is related to our home ventilation, including roof ventilation.

We take our home’s ventilation systems for granted, rarely thinking about air quality, and how we might improve it to create a healthy home.

Poor air quality leads to compromised health; new and ongoing health challenges may be relieved with improved air quality. For example, if we have allergies, we blame pollen season. Headaches? Oh, that’s just stress.

A passive roof ventilation system can make all the difference.

Consider a passive roof ventilation system: here’s why

With an efficient system:

• The air quality in your home improves (poor air quality compromises health);
• Stale, depleted, and moisture-laden air is drawn out before it causes health problems or causes damage to the structural integrity of your home;
• You save money on energy costs. Your home is cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

How do you know if your roof ventilation is doing a good job? If you’re uncertain, get a home inspection. An annual inspection of your roof cavity can head off problems in the making.

Roof ventilation products: many options

When looking at roof ventilation products, consider passive ventilation products first.

Vents such as ridge vents, vented battens and over-fascia vents are efficient and require little or no maintenance. Not only do vents help your insulation to work more efficiently, which means they cut down on energy costs, they also dissipate moisture. With a well-ventilated and dry roof cavity, you can eliminate the growth of dangerous moulds and fungi.

Which products can be used?

Depending on the type of roof, whether gable or skillion, a combination of products may be used to provide the best unimpeded air flow throughout the entire roof cavity.

Both primary and secondary passive roof ventilation products may be installed.

The primaries fit on the outside of the home, within the roof’s eaves. They have ventilation slots permitting air flow, but which can’t be blocked by dust or cobwebs. The slots are small enough to prevent insects like bees or wasps from gaining access.

Secondary ventilation products fit higher up under the eaves; they may be installed between the roof’s rafters. These are necessary to prevent insulation materials blocking air flow to and from the primary roof insulation products.

An over-fascia vent may be used in combination with ventilated battens attached to each purlin, to provide continuous air flow into the roof cavity.

To draw out moist air from the cavity via negative pressure, a vent ridge is applied to the top of the roof.

Such a combination of products continuously supplies fresh air, while drawing out stale air; it’s a passive roof ventilation system which doesn’t require energy.

A consideration: roof ventilation products are also affected by the ceilings in your home.

Your ceilings affect your roof ventilation

Researchers point out that air and moisture can be carried through a home’s ceilings, which makes the choice of roof ventilation products vital.

Even in ceilings thought to be airtight, cable installations and light fittings can make them permeable.