Are roof vents something you’re thinking about adding to your home? Modern homes must have roof vents in order to avoid having their functionality affected by the weather. We’ll go over what roof ventilation is, the various kinds of roof vents, and the advantages they provide, such as lower energy costs, longer roof life, and a host of other advantages.

What are Roof Vents and Why Do You Need Them?

They are an essential part of a roof ventilation system that is applied to the roofing of modern properties. The roofs are designed to provide a passage for warm air to escape from the inside of your home. 

By keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter, they also assist in controlling the temperature. If your property is older, it might not have adequate roof vents, but it’s important to take this into account if it has other problems.

Other Issues from Lack of Ventilation

Insufficient ventilation can cause a range of issues for buildings. The most common problems are damp and condensation, which occur when warm, moist air is trapped in a poorly ventilated space. This can happen when activities such as cooking, showering, or drying clothes indoors generate moisture. When the warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, it condenses into water droplets, leading to dampness.

Unpleasant odors are another problem that can result from inadequate roof ventilation. This may occur in hot weather, especially when using roofing felts made of black bitumen that have a potent aroma. The presence of an odor indicates that the air is not being circulated properly, so ventilation should be installed as soon as possible.

In addition, inadequate ventilation can cause indoor temperatures to rise, making a space uncomfortably hot during the summer months. This occurs when the sun heats the roof and loft space, creating a layer of hot, stagnant air that prevents heat from escaping. While this can be beneficial in the winter, it can lead to uncomfortable conditions during hot weather.

What are the benefits of roof vents?

Roof vents offer several benefits beyond reducing condensation and improving temperature control in buildings. Here are two more advantages:

• Lower Energy Costs: Vented roofs allow hot air to escape more easily, which reduces the need for air conditioning and can result in lower energy bills.
• Longer Roof Lifespan: One problem that can occur due to inadequate ventilation is “ice damming.” This happens when heat from the attic and the sun melt snow and ice on a roof. The resulting water runs to the edge of the roof and refreezes, creating ice and water buildup that can cause damage to the roof, attic, and interior walls of a building. By installing roof vents, this issue can be avoided, extending the lifespan of the roof.

Different Types of Roofing Vents

As a homeowner, it’s important to maintain proper ventilation in your roof to prevent moisture buildup and extend the life of your roofing materials. With so many types of roofing vents available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your home.

Roof Tile Vents

The roof tile vent is among the most widely used types of roofing vents. These vents are a universal solution for the majority of roof types because they are made to blend in seamlessly with your roof tiles. They are also simple to replace, which makes maintenance simple.

Ridge Vents

Another popular type of roofing vent is the ridge vent. Ridge vents are installed along the peak of your roof, allowing for continuous ventilation along the entire length of the roof. This type of vent is great for homes with long rooflines, as it provides uniform ventilation without the need for multiple vents.

Soffit

Soffit vents are installed in the eaves of your roof and are hidden from view. They provide ventilation to your attic space while maintaining a sleek, unobtrusive appearance. Additionally, they work in tandem with other types of vents, such as ridge vents, to provide optimal airflow throughout your roof. They are also an important part of the roof that helps keep the roof together.

Felt Lap Vents

If you’re dealing with poor ventilation in certain areas of your property, felt lap vents may be the solution you’re looking for. These vents, also known as lap vents, are particularly useful for older roofs with bitumen felt undersarking. However, they can also be fitted to roof membranes as needed.

Fascia Ventilation

If you’re looking for a hidden solution to improve the ventilation in your roof space, fascia ventilation may be the perfect choice for you. This type of ventilation allows air to pass into the roof space between the felt and fascia board, providing effective ventilation without detracting from the appearance of your home.

Dry ridge

In the UK, dry ridge is now mandatory for all new roof installations. Unlike traditional mortar-based ridge vents, dry ridge is installed without the use of mortar, providing a more innovative and effective method of ventilation.

The low maintenance needs of dry ridge are one of its main advantages. Dry ridge vents don’t need to be maintained or repaired on a regular basis like mortar-based vents do. The system may eventually need to be replaced with mortar bonds if it was installed using sand and mortar.

Through-Wall Extraction

If you’re looking for a versatile solution to improve the ventilation in your home, through-wall extraction may be the perfect choice for you. 

Through-wall extraction vents come in a variety of styles, including wall vents that provide background ventilation and wall vents that are designed to supply air to rooms with heat-producing appliances such as gas appliances or central heating boilers.

Looking for help in installing a roofing vent?

If you are looking to install new roofing vents, do get in touch with our professional roofers at SPS Roofing. We can work together with you to understand your requirements and provide the best solution.