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Portland Attic Fan Installation & Roof Ventilation Services

When it comes to roof ventilation in Portland, the best way to prevent an expensive and unexpected roof repair is to regularly maintain your roof. A proper roof ventilation system can be your greatest asset in cutting energy costs and improving the durability of your roof.

Call for Roof/Attic Ventilation Help

Proper roof ventilation is one of the best ways to ensure your roof lasts as long as possible. Proper ventilation helps:

  • Prevent mold, rot, and ice buildup. Roofs that are properly vented have a constant stream of airflow, which allows moisture to escape the roof. This helps prevent mold and mildew from growing, the roof structure from rotting, and ice from building up on eaves in winter.
  • Reduce inconsistent temperatures. Proper roof ventilation helps ensure temperatures in your home are more consistent. Expelling the hot air from your roof prevents it from sitting in the attic, which can significantly increase the temperature of your home’s upper levels.
  • Improve energy efficiency. By ensuring temperatures in your home stay consistent, your HVAC system won’t work overtime. This helps keep your electricity bills down and allows your HVAC system to run as efficiently as possible.
  • Increase roof longevity. Heat and moisture can quickly be the downfall of any roof. Moisture buildup can deteriorate the roof structure and insulation, requiring a new roof sooner than you’ll need it. Proper ventilation ensures your roof stays as dry as possible, helping it last that much longer.
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3-tab asphalt shingles on a roof in Portland, OR

How Roof Vents Work

A roof ventilation system has two vents that work to constantly keep air flowing through the roof:

  • Intake vent: Usually located near the bottom of the roof in the eaves, the intake vent pulls fresh air from outside into the roof.
  • Exhaust vent: Usually located near the roof peak, the exhaust vent expels the warm, humid air outside of the roof.

You can choose to install two types of roof vents:

  • Natural vent: Uses natural, passive airflow to remove hot air that rises to the top of the roof.
  • Mechanical vent: Uses a motor to expel hot air from the roof. Mechanical vents, also known as attic fans, are usually required if the roof design doesn’t allow for much natural airflow.

See our blog “Roof Ventilation: The Good, Bad and Ugly” for more information on roof vent options.

Contact Roof Life of Oregon Today

When it comes to roof ventilation and roof maintenance, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Contact us today to get your roof ventilation project on the books!

Does My Home Need An Attic Fan?

Attic fans can be essential for maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient home. They can regulate temperatures and reduce moisture, potentially lowering cooling costs and prolonging roof life. Common types of attic fans include:

  • Traditional electric attic fans – Typically installed at the roof’s peak or gable end. They can effectively remove hot air and moisture from the attic but require a constant power source and may increase electricity bills.
  • Solar attic fans – Solar panel-operated to achieve energy efficiency and lower electricity costs. We use QuietCool solar attic fans for superior performance and reliability. Still, their efficiency is dependent on sunlight availability.

Nevertheless, not every home needs an attic fan. Roofs with natural airflow, like those with ample soffit and ridge vents, might not benefit from an attic fan. However, homes with low-sloped or flat roofs may demand additional air circulation.

Humidity and heat are the two most significant issues for attics. Humidity can lead to mold and mildew in the attic, while heat can shorten shingle life, void the manufacturer’s warranty, and increase energy or cooling costs. To combat this, having a sufficiently sized and powerful attic fan is crucial to expel stale air and provide significant benefits.

Attic fan installation in Portland, Oregon, usually includes evaluating your roof design and condition, choosing between a solar or traditional attic fan, mapping out ideal fan locations, and modifying the attic’s framework before installing the fan with proper insulation, sealing, and an attic fan thermostat. Solar-powered attic fans may be easier to install, thanks to their standalone power source, while traditional fans may require more complex electrical work.

Attic vents on a roof
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Signs Your Roof is Improperly Vented

You likely have improper roof ventilation if you notice:

  • Ice buildup in winter. Icicles and ice dams happen when the heat inside your roof melts the snow and ice on your roof. This causes ice and water to build up and refreeze at the edge of your roof, creating icicles and ice dams. Proper ventilation helps the warm air escape your roof before it can melt the snow.
  • Temperature differences. If the temperature of your second story is noticeably hotter (especially in the summer) than the first story, that’s usually a sign that the roof isn’t venting. The hot air sitting in the attic filters into the second story, making the temperature much warmer than what it should be.
  • Increased electric bills. Improper ventilation causes your HVAC system to work harder than it normally would trying to even out the temperature differences, resulting in increased heating and cooling bills. This added usage also causes your HVAC system to need more frequent repairs and even die prematurely.
  • Signs of moisture buildup. This can include mold or mildew in your attic, rust on metal components in your attic (HVAC systems, electrical boxes, attic fasteners, etc.) and sagging or rotting on the roof structure. Moisture buildup means the humid air isn’t being properly expelled from your roof.

Roofing Ventilation Installation in Portland, OR

Call us at (503) 925-0125 or fill out the form below to get a quote for your roof ventilation installation. Our roofing professionals will take a look at your existing roof vents, go over the roof ventilation systems we install, and recommend the best one for your home.

We’re Here to Help You

A healthy and properly functioning roof, free of moss and debris is also appealing and a source of homeowner pride.

Get a free quote for an inspection today.