Now is the Time for Energy Efficient House Ventilation

Ventilation That Works Well
As if it weren’t enough, in conventional insulation and construction, ventilation is more than an issue of energy efficiency.  It’s a determining factor in the comfort of your home or business’ interior environment, as well as being a deciding factor in how long your windows, siding, painting and roofing last.  More frequently today manufacturers are invalidating warranties when ventilation is not sufficient to properly care for their products.  With ventilation it boils down to intake and exhaust—how many air exchanges you have per hour.  Soffit vents are rendered meaningless without proper roof ventilation—and vice versa.  Rooflines, square footage, vaulted ceilings, the region you live in, etc. all play a role in determining the right “matched” ventilation system for you.

Green Building, especially standing seam metal roofs that are used to create a thermal envelope, has a completely different set of ventilation requirements. Our Project Planners can help you decide what will work best for you.

A Few Things You Need To Know About Ventilation

• All major shingle manufacturers VOID their warranties if their shingles are installed over improperly ventilated attics. Many siding and window manufacturers are following suit as they learn more about how poor ventilation affects their products.
• If you see premature cracked, peeling and bubbling paint, it’s a good bet that trapped moisture is the problem.
• Attics that are vented improperly allow heat and moisture to rot, mildew and deteriorate the structure of the home. In the winter months, trapped moisture can soak insulation.
• A proper traditional ventilation system consists of intake and exhaust. After choosing your roof vent, be sure to pick an intake system that will work well with that product.
• If you’re involved in green building, learn about the concept of a thermal envelope and how that is challenging traditional thinking with regard to ventilation. Utility bills can be reduced and comfort increased by having a well thought out ventilation strategy.
• To avoid warranty issues, and enjoy the benefits of good ventilation, talk to one of our Project Planners about the proper kind and amount of ventilation for your home or business.