The Best Roof Ventilation Methods for Your Home

Residential roof installation in the Hudson Valley involves a lot more than putting on the roofing shingles. The shift in seasons causes drastic temperature changes throughout Westchester County and the surrounding area. 

Without effective residential roof ventilation, your energy bill will be higher and your roofing material won’t last as long.

Does Roof Ventilation Matter?

The details of your roofing matters. In any climate, especially climates with frequent temperature changes, proper attic ventilation plays a key role in helping to make your roof materials last longer. 

Proper roof ventilation is a mix between the right amount of air intake and ventilation.

Components of the best roof ventilation system

The best roof ventilation methods used by experienced roofers is a custom approach. Each roof in Westchester County, NY and the surrounding area is unique. 

The size of your home, shape of your roof, and type of roofing shingle all play a critical role in the design of the system.

Attic Fans

Attic fans are common in climates with varying temperatures. These fans are placed within your attic space, towards the peak of your roof. Many attic fans are controlled by a thermostat. 

This allows the fan to kick on when the air becomes too moist, or warm. As your roof expels old air, fresh new air can come in. 

Gable End Vent

Gable ridge vents not only help with ventilation, but can be a nice visual element. These vents are visible, and placed at the ridge of the roof near the gable.

Insulation

There are a variety of types of insulation that do wonders at regulating the temperature in your living space. 

This prevents the warm air from rising up to your attic during the winter, and keeps the cold air in your home during the summer. The R-value of insulation determines how good of a job it does. 

Roof Ridge Vents

One of the most popular types of roof vents are ridge vents. Ridge vents that are placed on the horizontal ridge of a roof. 

They allow warm air that rises to the peak of your roof to escape. Experienced roofers will do a good job at hiding ridge vents under your roofing shingles.

Soffit Vents

Soffit vents are located along the soffits of a roof. They are at the lowest point of a roof, and allow air into the attic. 

Since soffit vents are at the lowest point, they let fresh air in, and it rises throughout the attic space. As a result, old air is pushed out. 

Power Vents

Power vents are placed at various points in your attic and roof. They use electric or solar motors to push out the warm, humid air. 

Many power vents have smart capability. You can even control them with your home’s smart hub. Power vents can adjust based on the humidity in your home’s air.

Box Vents

Box vents are holes that are strategically placed where pockets of hot, moist air collect. The holes in the roof allow the air to escape.

How Much ventilation is enough?

The U.S. Federal Housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation (evenly split between intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. 

If your roof doesn’t have a vapor barrier, you may want to increase the amount of roof vents.

The Benefits of Proper Roof Ventilation

When your roof is vented correctly, there’s many advantages. The benefits of proper roof venting help your finances and your health. 

Roof ventilation helps maintain clean, healthy air in your living space, lower your energy bills, reduce ice buildup and helps your shingles to last longer. 

When hiring a residential roofing contractor in Westchester County, NY or the surrounding area, ask about roof ventilation. 

Ask the roofer how they plan to regulate the air flow in your home. See what they have to say. Make sure they are an experienced, trusted roofer like MCAS Roofing & Contracting, Inc.

Trusted Roofers for Roof Ventilation

The best way to ensure your roof lasts, is to ensure it is installed by an experienced roofing professional. That means you need more than a roof that looks great. 

Your Westchester home needs a roof that is installed correctly. That means, a licensed, insured and experienced residential exterior contractor that knows how to pay attention to the details.

Honest Roofing Ventilation Assessments

Unfortunately, many of the less experienced roofing contractors focus on the part of your roof you can see. This might do wonders for the design of your home, but the clean new look won’t last long without roof ventilation. 

Less honest roofers might install a less than adequate roof ventilation system, to allow them to cut costs. This allows them to be the lowest price, but for a reason. Without all the key components of a ventilation system, it won’t function properly.

Is Your Roofing Contractor is Experienced?

Your roof is one of the most important components of your home. After all, it acts as the first line of defense against weather elements. Ask your roofing contractor how they plan to ensure your roof is properly ventilated? 

If their response is something along the lines of what we’ve explained here, you’re probably in good shape. If the contractor’s response leaves you feeling uneasy, you might want to talk to another Westchester roofing contractor.

Remember that if your roof ventilation job is poorly done, it could cause safety issues that you’d rather not experience. 

What To Look For in a Westchester Roofing Contractor

Before you hire a roofer in the Westchester County, NY, check them out. Always get three estimates. 

Make sure one of them is from MCAS Roofing & Contracting, Inc. Your other two estimates should come from another qualified roofer. Here’s what to look for. 

Check Out Customer Reviews

Always check out local reviews before hiring a roofer. Reviews are a great way to see if your neighbors are happy with the roofer’s services. 

Also look to see if your roofing contractor is responding to customer reviews. That means they value what you have to say, and care about the quality of work they deliver.

Confirm They Are Licensed

Ensure the roofing contractor is licensed to work in your area. For instance, MCAS Roofing & Contracting Inc. is licensed to operate in Westchester County, Putnam County, Rockland County and Yonkers, NY. 

Licensing for a particular region is not only a sign of legitimacy, but gives homeowners peace of mind. Have comfort knowing the roofer will follow all the local building codes and regulations.

Contractor Insurance

A roofing contractor should always be fully insured. This means general liability, worker’s compensation and auto insurance. 

The moment you sign a contract with a roofer, you should also be insured under their policy. 

Any legitimate roofer will be willing to verify their insurance.