Ventilation of the home attic is important for two reasons. During the summer, excess heat that builds up in the attic during the day results in high energy costs for cooling. Also, moisture produced within the home may move into the attic if ceiling vapor barriers are not used. If this moisture is not exhausted from the attic it can condense and cause insulation and construction materials to deteriorate. Thus, temperature and moisture control are the major reasons for providing attic ventilation.

• Allows outside air to flow naturally upward and out of attic.
  
• Promotes a cooler, drier attic.
  
• Helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped in insulation, structural wood, shingles and roof deck.
• Helps prevent rotting, mildew, drywall damage, peeling paint and warped siding.
  
• Provides year-round performance for consistent ventilation without energy consumption.

RIDGE VENTS: In winter, normal household activities like doing laundry, running dishwashers and taking showers generate moisture that can damage insulation, rafters, wood deck, underlayment and shingles. In summer, heat build-up can cause premature aging and cracking of wood and roofing materials.

The only way to combat these problems is with balanced ventilation. When a ventilation system is balanced, wind blowing over the ridge creates a negative pressure that draws the warmer air out of the attic. Replacement air enters through the under eave vents, bathes the underside of the roof, and exits at the ridge cap.

Even with no wind, the natural convection action of rising warm air maintains a continuous air flow along the underside of the roof. It's a system that works year 'round with no moving parts or energy consumption.

TURBINES: A non-electric alternative to ventilation, these vents use the natural force of wind and air pressure to spin and vent out stale attic air. They do it with a series of specially shaped vanes that catch the wind and provide rotary motion.

This pulls hot, humid air from the attic. Turbine vents provide a low-cost ventilation alternative in areas where wind speeds of at least 5 mph are typical.