What is ventilation?

Ventilation is a method of regulating the air in a particular area. Ventilation allows outside, cooler air to enter the attic and push the hot air up and out. A well-ventilated attic breathes-in (intake ventilation) and breathes-out (exhaust ventilation) through vents located at the lowest and highest parts of your attic.

Solving Summer Concerns

Gable power attic vent installed in an attic space.

Anyone who has ever been in the attic during the summer knows that the attic gets hot—very hot. Summer heat can begin to affect the structural integrity of roofing components, including wood sheathing, framing lumber, and ceiling joists.

Many manufacturers of roof shingles will consider the shingle warranty voided if an attic is poorly ventilated.

A well ventilated attic in warmer months:
- combats structural damage due to heat buildup
- reduces costly wear-and-tear on your air conditioner
- keeps your living areas cooler with less energy usage
- results in energy savings on your cooling bill

Solving Winter Concerns

Gable shutter installed in the outside wall of a home.

Heated air from the living space below as well as moisture from cooking, bathing, and washing clothes leaks into the attic from the ceiling through light fixtures and fans, access panels, and fold-down attic stairways. Condensation can form on the framing lumber and the inside of the roof decking, leading to mold, mildew, and eventually wood rot.

Relative warm and cool spots on the roof deck can also result from heat and moisture leakage, which may lead to "ice dams" when the roof is snow-covered - and the inevitable roof leaks caused by water behind melting ice.