In the unique Australian climate, from scorching summers to freezing winters, roof ventilation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable home environment. It prevents heat buildup in the summer and reduces moisture and condensation in the winter, which all helps to prolong the life of your roof.
If you’ve been looking for ways to make your home more comfortable year-round, improve its structural soundness, and enhance its energy efficiency, look no further. Let’s delve deeper into the benefits and types of roof ventilation.
The expert team at Skylights WA has been providing roof ventilation solutions and skylights in Perth for more than 15 years now. For more information on our products or to learn more about how we can improve ventilation in your home, get in touch.
Why Roof Ventilation is Important
Roof ventilation provides many key benefits to the home, including:
Condensation and moisture buildup can be very destructive, potentially leading to rot and even encouraging mould and mildew growth. As well as causing structural problems for your roof, this can trigger asthma and allergy-related illnesses. Ventilation helps to remove humid, moist air from roof cavities.
A well-ventilated home will allow heat to escape the roof space, replacing it with ambient air from outside. This can help to reduce the load on your air conditioning and heating, minimising your energy bills and creating a more energy-efficient home.
During our hot summers, heat builds up in the roof cavity. Without proper ventilation, temperatures in these spaces can soar to extremes of 70°C! Not only can this increase the load on your air conditioning, but it can also lead to damaging increases in humidity, and is dangerous for anyone who may need to access the cavity.
By reducing heat and moisture in the roof cavity, ventilation helps to prevent warping, cracking, and other forms of deterioration in roofing materials. This can help to extend the lifespan of your roof, ensuring that it will serve your home well into the future.
Proper ventilation ensures a constant flow of fresh air into the roof cavity, removing stale air, odours, and even pollutants from the home. This can be hugely beneficial for asthma and allergy sufferers. It also reduces moisture and mould growth, contributing to a healthier indoor environment for your family.
How Roof Ventilation Works
Hot air naturally moves upwards due to a process known as convection. In our homes, this means that hot air naturally collects in the roof cavity. Ventilation works by creating airflow to regulate temperature and humidity in the cavity. It does this by removing hot, moist air and allowing cooler, drier air to enter.
The Different Types of Roof Vents Available
There are three different ventilation options that we work with at Skylights WA. The one that best meets the needs of your home will depend on your roof type, climate, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
These systems are powered by energy from the sun. They include a battery so that they can store energy, allowing them to function day or night and on sunny or overcast days. The incorporated thermostat monitors the roof cavity temperature, prompting the ventilation system to turn on and off as required.
These systems are powered by changes in air pressure. While it has no ongoing costs, it requires air movement to function. Wind enters a cylindrical, dome-shaped turbine. As the pressure of the air outside differs from the air inside, this causes the turbine to spin and generate airflow in the roof cavity.
As their name suggests, these systems are powered by electricity. While their running costs are ongoing, this does mean that you can avoid the potential risk of the ventilation not working as a result of uncontrollable elements (such as wind).
Installing Roof Ventilation
When it comes to installing roof ventilation for your home, it’s important to seek professional advice. This will ensure that you have the right number of vents, that they’re placed correctly, and are far enough apart.
How Many Vents Do I Need?
Generally speaking, you should have one vent for every 90 square metres of home. In saying that, not all ventilation systems are the same; some allow for fewer vents to be installed while still being highly effective. A bonus of requiring fewer vents is that fewer perforations need to be made in your roof during installation.
Where Should Vents Be Placed?
For tiled roofs, vents should be installed along the third or fourth row of tiles (from the ridge). Installing them too high may damage the ridge, while installing them too low reduces their performance and increases their risk of leakage during heavy rain.
For metal roofs, vents must be installed on the ridge cap. Any other installation will require the assistance of a licensed plumber.
Ensure Adequate Roof Ventilation for Your Home with Skylights WA
Every Australian homeowner should be concerned about roof ventilation, whether you live in a hot climate like Queensland or a temperate one like Tasmania. A well-ventilated roof is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your home, as well as energy efficiency, temperature regulation, and humidity control.
If you’d like to learn more about our roof ventilation options and how they can benefit your home, do not hesitate to reach out to our expert team.