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01 December 2015

The Need For A Roof Closure Vent

By Brenda Warner


Many people who live in houses don't know all that much about their own roofs. If you asked them, they might say all is well if it doesn't leak. One important part of advance planning to keep problems from developing is using a roof closure vent. This system is designed to keep moisture problems from destroying your roofing from underneath.

For those who are clueless about the make-up of their roofs, there are some basic facts that are easily understood. A roof is subject to many stresses. One is extremes of temperature. Actually, painting a metal roof a light color in hot climes and a dark one in cold is the best solution to temperature. Venting has more to do with moisture.

Apparently air inside your house rises into the space under the roof, bringing moisture with it. Warm air holds more moisture than cold. So if warm air rises, and the roofing is cooler, droplets of water form on the underside. If the roofing is vented, outside air flows in and disperses this moisture before it can damage insulation, shingles, or metal.

A vent is a device to let air in or out. Air can move into vents lower on the roof - like 'soffit' vents under the eaves - and out higher vents along the ridge. This air exchange is activated by wind flowing over the structure, which pulls the air out along with heat and moisture. Venting is a simple process in a ranch-type house but gets more complicated in homes with many gables and additions.

A well-designed venting system also keeps out things like bugs, birds, and animals. Bees, sparrows, squirrels, and bats can be a real nuisance is allowed to get into attic spaces. Screens or baffles keep them out, as well as damaging rain and snow.

Check out online sites that offer vents. There's a lot of information on the are importance and function of different types. Installation is easy, using adhesive strips on the units themselves. The vent may carry a warranty that last as long as the roof. There are one piece and two-piece units, or vents that are as long as the ridge itself.

Online you will find a lot of information about the value of well-designed vents and the different kinds on the market. You also may see some debate about whether or not you should include vents in your home at all. Many roofs carry a 30-year warranty; check if this guarantee will be voided if you do not vent. It's important to make sure that outside air comes in at the same rate that trapped air is drawn out. Otherwise, air may be pulled from the home's interior, which will raise your energy costs.

So the main idea is simple. Get hot, wet air out and let cooler, dryer air in on a continuous basis. At the same time, keep creepy crawlies, flying things, and rain or snow out without interfering with the desired air flow. Fortunately for homeowners, there are products on the market designed to do both with maximum efficiency.




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