You probably don’t think of your roof as something that needs to “breathe” but the truth is the proper ventilation can make a huge difference in how long your roof lasts and how effective and energy efficient it will be for your home. In order to build the best Orlando roofing, your roofing company needs to know how to calculate your ventilation needs and install the right materials to keep air flowing through.

The Year-Round Dangers of Improper Ventilation

Both the warm, humid weather of an Orlando summer and the cooler, wet weather of hurricane season and winter pose a threat to your roofing in Orlando. Hot temperatures and humidity cause the attic to heat up and without ventilation the heat inside the attic increases even more, wearing down your shingles and even leading to mold and mildew growth or interior damage to your home. When wet weather comes you need airflow to prevent moisture buildup that causes leaks in your living space.

Creating a Buffer Zone

The attic in your home is an added layer of protection between your Orlando roofing and your cozy home. A well-ventilated attic will help keep air flowing and prevent the damage to the shingles or the ceilings of your home. For that reason you should never hire an Orlando roofing contractor who doesn’t know how to properly calculate ventilation requirements, and not every roofer in Orlando knows how to do it.

Calculation Ventilation Requirements

Building codes require that you have a specific level of attic ventilation in order to protect your home and your Orlando roofing. Generally it’s about a ratio of 1:150 of ventilation space to attic floor space, although it may vary by city and state. While that might sound basic enough, it’s not as simple as a quick math problem. A qualified roofing company in Orlando will also need to adjust for cross-ventilation and appropriate airflow to maximize vents that are put in place.

Once calculated, an Orlando roofer may use one of several methods to ventilate the space, including:

• Ridge vents
• Soffit vents
• Powered attic fans
• Gable vents
• Dormers, mushrooms vents, or other targeted methods for specific areas

Both your comfort and the expected useful life of your roofing and your home are impacted by attic ventilation. Don’t trust it to the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to properly calculate it.