Loft Roof Space Ventilation


Loft roof space ventilation isn’t a subject most homeowners think about on a daily basis. However, if something goes wrong as the result of this space not being ventilated, fixing it will quickly become the most important item on their to-do list. Instead of waiting around until something goes terribly wrong, it’s much better to take action in advance. By properly ventilating your roof space, you can avoid the significant problems that can arise from leaving this area unventilated.

What Happens If Loft Roof Space Isn’t Ventilated?

If loft roof space remains unventilated, it can cause:

  • High temperatures
    • Moisture accumulation
    • Stagnant air

Many homeowners are unaware of just how hot their loft roof space can get during the summer. Because the heat in this area can build up to extremely high levels, it can actually warp different structural elements of your home. This hot air’s ability to do damage includes your roof. Research has found that roofs on unventilated homes have a shorter lifespan than those on homes that are properly ventilated. The next issue that can arise from a lack of ventilation is an accumulation of moisture. Because the most common areas for mold to grow are those that feature high levels of moisture, not ventilating your loft space can turn this into a prime target for mold. What makes mold an especially unpleasant problem is that once it begins growing, it can easily spread to other areas of your home. Additionally, not only can the spores it releases into the air make it difficult for people in your home to breathe, but mold can actually cause damage to the areas where it grows. When these issues are combined with the high likelihood of air in this space to stagnate, it’s easy to see why ventilation needs to be taken seriously.

Which Ventilation Options are Ineffective?

There are quite a few different ways that you can ventilate this area of your home. However, it’s important to understand that not all options are effective. For example, solar attic fans may seem like an excellent choice for ventilation. But in reality, these fans don’t have enough power to move the amount of air that is necessary for full ventilation. And in terms of any type of power ventilation, it’s almost always recommended to stick with natural options unless power ventilation is the only approach that works for the design of a specific loft roof space.

What is the Best Way to Ventilate Your Loft Roof Space?

Although there are ineffective ventilation options, soffit venting is an option that has been proven to work. However, many homes have soffit vents that don’t provide enough ventilation. While it’s easy to assume that this is an issue with the vents, the actual problem is the result of homeowners accidentally covering the vents with insulation. In order to get the best results from soffit vents, you have to make sure that the insulation in your loft roof space isn’t covering them.

 

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