Everyone wants a warm and dry home. So it might seem counterintuitive that vents to the outside are the answer. But it’s true.
In your roof space, you have eaves, which are the underside edges of a pitched roof. Vents placed at the eaves of your home allow indoor air pollutants and moisture to escape, while allowing fresh, clean air to replace them.
Find out why roof eaves ventilation is important to keep you and your home healthy.
Why Ventilation Is Good for a Healthy Home?
Good ventilation means a more comfortable home. By regulating temperature and humidity, ventilation improves the indoor air quality and keeps everyone inside happier.
Prevents Mould and Mildew
Eaves vents allow old and stale air to exit your roof cavity. Moisture won’t build up in your attic and form mould or mildew on your roofing materials. And the air quality will be better throughout your home.
Improves Air Quality
Exchanging stale and moist air for fresh outdoor air will reduce the pollutants and other allergens inside. You’ll enjoy a healthier living space – especially important for those with respiratory issues.
Protects Your Building Structure
Moisture trapped in your attic space can damage timber roof structures and insulation. As we’ve mentioned, roof eaves vents remove this moist, hot air from inside your home, therefore preventing this kind of degradation and preserving the lifespan of your roof.
Reduces Energy Costs
Vents help maintain consistent temperatures within your home. Keeping your attic cooler in summer and preventing heat from escaping in winter will reduce the workload on your AC and central heating. Energy efficient and cost-effective.
Minimises Ice Dams
Ice dams form when snow melts and refreezes on your roof, weighing heavily on the materials and causing significant damage. This can be a big problem in winter. However, proper ventilation prevents your roof surface from getting cold and stops ice dams from forming.
What Are Roof Eaves Vents?
Roof eaves vents are vents placed in the eaves of your roof. They sit under the edges of the roof, where the wall meets the overhang. You can get several different types of eave ventilation:
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Soffit vents
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Over-fascia vents
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Proprietary ventilation trays
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Eaves comb fillers
How Do Roof Eaves Vents Work?
Eaves vents work like most vents. Part of a passive ventilation system, these vents let fresh, cool air into the attic space. Ridge vents (on the top of the roof pitch) allow the stale air to escape as hot air rises. This is known as cross ventilation, as it uses the natural movement of air and wind pressure to create airflow and keep the inside of your home cool and dry.
How to Improve Ventilation?
Eave vents are in the right direction, but if you find your home is still full of condensation and stale air, you might want to step up your ventilation efforts.
Mechanical Ventilation
Whirligigs and electrical fans mechanically move fresh air through your attic space. This type of ventilation requires a power source, but it can be very effective and provide high levels of ventilation. The downside is that they might cost more to run, and the mechanical parts are prone to breaking down.
Natural Ventilation
A passive house (or Passivhaus) is a building designed specifically for extreme energy efficiency. These buildings use natural and passive methods to encourage ventilation, like insulation, airtightness, high-performance windows, and ventilation systems. Passive houses can reduce energy usage by 90%.
Maintain Your Vents
Already got your vents in place? Well, you need to look after them. Regular TLC will ensure your vents are working efficiently and effectively. Clean them of debris a few times a year – especially after heavy storms. If you notice any damage, it’s important to get it seen to as soon as possible.
How Much Do Roof Eaves Vents Cost?
Costs can vary, depending on the ease of installation and the manufacturer. Size and quality also play a part in prices. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around $30-50 per vent.
How Long Do Roof Eaves Vents Last?
Roof eaves vents can last anywhere from eight to 25 years – although they generally don’t last much beyond 12 years. The materials they’re made from and the extremities of your local climate can play a big part. Harsh sun, strong winds, and heavy rains all cause wear and tear.
Metal and polymer are more durable choices. Proper installation and regular maintenance will also keep your vents performing well for over a decade.
Final Thoughts on Roof Eaves Ventilation
Regulating temperatures and reducing dampness are ongoing battles for homeowners. Correctly installed and maintained ventilation can help tackle both those problems, while reducing your energy bills.
Eaves ventilation acts as part of a system that relies on natural air to flow through the roof cavity – the eaves part encourages fresh air into your home, while ridge vents expel stale air at the top of your roof pitch. With high-quality eaves vents, you won’t even need to think about what the ventilation is doing; you can just enjoy living in a healthy home.
FAQs
Do Roof Vents Prevent Mould?
Roof vents allow clean, fresh air to enter your home. And by doing so, the damp, stale air that inhabits your attic rises to the top of the building and escapes. Mould is caused by excess moisture in the air – all that washing up, those showers, and drying your laundry add water to the air in your home. Remove the moisture, and you reduce the chances of mould forming on your roof structure.
What Is the Most Effective Type of Roof Ventilation?
A combination of ridge vents to push old air out and soffit vents in the eaves to encourage clean air inside is an effective ventilation system. This passive system creates a balanced and continuous flow of air to prevent heat and moisture from building up in your home.
How Do Roof Vents Keep Water Out?
Vents typically have hoods or covers to prevent rain or debris from getting inside. Some vents (like those under the eaves or gable vents) use angled slats and placement to deflect rain away from the vent. Roof flashing creates a watertight seal between the vent and the roof surface.