Are you preparing to have your roof replaced? A very critical aspect of roof replacement is making sure the attic is vented properly. Over the years we have seen really good roofers make the huge mistake of replacing roofs with perfect technical installation skills but fail to properly address attic ventilation calculations. You will see in the diagrams below why proper attic ventilation is so important. 

As you can see in diagram 1 when an attic is not properly vented the hot air from your home gets stuck in the attic. The heat trapped in the attic in turn over heats your home. Not only does this "cook" the roof and reduce the life of the shingles and roofing system drastically, it also causes your energy bill to skyrocket due to the cost of running the air conditioner more to keep the temperature down. 

In diagram 2 you will see possibly the most destructive side effect of improper venting.  Everyday household activities such as showering, cooking and heating the house releases heat and moisture into the attic. Its very common to see an attic that is not properly vented take on moisture and begin to condensate. Condensation can be the worst nightmare of a building structure. The damp atmosphere and water damages wood and other properties compromising the framing, insulation and other items. 

To avoid the issues shown above make sure you or your contractor addresses the ventilation of your home. They should get into your attic to make sure your insulation is not blocking the eave/soffit vents. You should also make sure your exhaust, which is typically AF-50 vents or ridge vents meet recommended calculations. Here is a simple and common attic vent calculation (please check local codes which always supersede principals): 

From the GAF website: 

Use this calculator to help determine the proper amount of attic ventilation based on U.S. FHA 1/300 guidelines.

• Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves, soffits or fascias) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge).
• 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.
• Always have a balanced ventilation system. In no case should the amount of exhaust ventilation exceed the amount of intake ventilation.

NOTE: The 1/300 rule is a general rule and does not apply to all situations. Local building codes, when stricter, take precedence. Always consult a design professional for cathedral ceilings, insulated roof decks, etc.

Thank you for reading our Reliable Contractors Network blog! Do you have some critical information to add to the post or a preferred method of venting? Please comment below. 

For those of you that are thinking about having your roof replaced in the near future you likely have a thousand questions and concerns. You are sure to experience a wide variety of companies and sales personalities as you interview them all to see who is the right fit. In the last few decades we have seen a shift in the contractor base. They way business is operated has changed, from the warranties, systems, technology to the tools that are used to install new roofing systems. One of the items that is now playing a major role in roofing contractor service offerings are "manufacturer certifications." Im sure if you have interviewed a few roofers you have heard this phrase or seen their certificates. So what exactly does this mean?

It is quite interesting really to see the shift in generations in the industry. There is a group of old school roofing contractors that have been around for a long time that are not interested in contractor certifications and upgraded system warranties. Those things did not exist for the first 30 years they were banging nails on roof tops. It was a hand shake, a pick up truck and their crew, oh yes and a napkin to scribble out a quick agreement. Its a completely different ball game in the current landscape. Manufacturers such as GAF, IKO, Malarkey, Owens Corning and CertainTeed have created certified contractor programs where they partner with great local roofing contractors all over the Nation and equip them to provide top notch service. Here are a few reasons why hiring a certified roofing contractor is a good idea: 

This largest and perhaps most important difference for you the consumer when you hire a certified contractor is the warranty offerings. Here is a very simple breakdown to help you understand the gap in warranty offerings. 

Non Certified: Provides limited lifetime shingle, first 10 years non-prorated against material defects only. From year 11-50 the value of the warranty coverage goes down every year. 

Certified: Provides approved system and a 50 year non prorated warranty against material defects. The warranty does not pro-rate within the 50 year time frame. 

If you are ready to replace your roof a certified roofer is the only way to go. Contact us today by filling out our contact form on the link below and we will connect you with award winning, pre-verified roofing contractors in your area.