On almost every roofing job we install some type of ventilation.

Have you ever been in your attic during the summer? The heat is about enough to make you not want to go into your attic. Shingles fail due to poor attic venting. Nearly 200 F heat can build up on a hot day in a poorly vented attic. That heat can slip past the sheathing (decking) and ruin fiberglass shingles. Heat builds up in the attic space which should cool off at night if the attic is properly ventilated.

Modern home construction methods result in better insulated and tighter homes, which save the homeowner money on energy bills, but makes the need for a well-ventilated attic even more important. Attic ventilation is necessary to prevent moisture problems, prevent heat build-up, reduce heating and cooling costs, and prevent ice dams. The benefit of proper ventilation for the homeowner is a cooler attic in the summer, a dryer attic in the winter and protection of the structural integrity of the home from moisture damage.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), guidelines for roof ventilation have been established by several organizations. The American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRE) guidelines calls for a ratio of 1:150 – that is one square foot of net free vent area (NFVA) for every 150 square feet of ceiling area below the roof. Using that ratio, a 1,500-square-foot area would require 10 square feet of ventilated area. The Building Officers Code Association (BOCA) also supports the 1:150 ratio. If the structure has a vapor retarder, the ratio can be reduced to 1:300. Most shingle manufacturers make roof ventilation a prerequisite to warranting of the products.