An Attic that "Breathes" Extends the Life of Your Roof

If you want your roof to last, you need an attic that "breathes". The problem is, an estimated nine out of 10 homes don't have a properly balanced attic ventilation system in place. As a result, the average roof lasts only 10 to 12 years, even though most roofing shingles are made to last 25 years or more. In fact, the number-one reason for premature roof failure is inadequate ventilation.

What most homeowners don't realize is that without proper ventilation, most manufacturers' shingle warranties are void. That means those same nine out of 10 homes may never have had warranty protection on their roofs.

What Happens with Inadequate Ventilation?

Problems caused by inadequate ventilation may not become evident for years to come, and it can be very difficult to get most installers to come back and correct deficiencies in the original installation. Inadequate ventilation can result in higher energy costs, structural damage, excess moisture and ice damming.

Higher Energy Cost

• Air conditioning and heating systems are overworked.

Structural Damage

• Plywood decking can come apart.
• Roof framing can warp or buckle.
• Vinyl siding outside the home can warp or buckle due to excessive heat in the attic.
• Shingles overheated from underneath can be damaged (damage to shingles caused by improper installation is not covered under warranty).

Excess Moisture

• May create mold and mildew buildup
• Condensation can cause insulation to become moisture-soaked and compacted, greatly reducing its efficiency.

• Paint on interior and exterior walls may blister and peel.

Ice Damming (in colder climates)

• Icicles can build up in gutters and eventually tear them off, causing serious damage to your home.

Protect Your Roof for Life

A balanced attic ventilation system reduces the temperature difference between the outside air and the attic space, improving energy efficiency, helping maintain the structural integrity of the roof, reducing moisture accumulation and extending the life of your roof.

Energy Efficiency

In warmer months, balanced attic ventilation allows the roof to breathe, lowering attic temperatures and cooling the roof deck (base). A cooler attic will help reduce cooling costs.

• Accumulated attic heat is removed quickly.
• The air-conditioning unit does not need to compensate for long hours of oven-like attic temperatures.

In cooler months, a balanced ventilation system keeps attic humidity at lower levels, minimizing condensation and reducing the likelihood of mold and mildew growth.

• Condensation dampens and compacts the insulation, reducing its efficiency.
• The heating system has to work harder to replace the heat lost through the less-efficient insulation.

Structural Integrity

A properly ventilated attic helps reduce the risk of structural deterioration in your home by protecting wood rafters and the roof's decking (base) from moisture damage and rot.

Reduced Moisture Accumulation

Balanced attic ventilation allows cool, fresh air to enter the attic through vents in the soffit or eaves and hot, stale air to escape through a ridge vent installed under the ridge cap shingles. When properly installed with intake vents, this system creates the most effective way of removing heat and moisture from your attic.

Look at the temperature comparison below. Notice how dramatically the attic temperature is reduced with proper ventilation. After the sun sets, the attic temperature will drop significantly faster when the attic has been properly ventilated. 

Extending Your Roof's Life The Alamo Premier Builders Way

Putting a new roof on your home is not something you want to do every couple of years. When you have an integrated roofing system installed by Alamo Premier Builders, we make sure your attic will have well-balanced ventilation that will protect your roof for life. Proper attic ventilation will help protect the structural components of your home. Plus there's less mold and mildew, and hot, stale attic air is gone. Making sure your roofing system lasts as long as it's supposed to is what we do - and that means one less thing you have to worry about.