All roofing systems in Ottawa need a good ventilation system. Ice Damming is a major issue in our city. Good ventilation could mean the difference between your roof having problems or not. Ventilation is also crucial in keeping your attic dry from moisture in the wintertime and cool from the heat in the summer. This will prevent mold from infecting your rafters, roof deck, insulation, and extend the life of your new roof.
There are many forms of ventilation out there and if your roof allows for it, we recommend Ridge venting. With superior air flow the ridge vent also has the best curb appeal for your home.
Ottawa has some harsh winters, not all products out there are designed for these conditions. At Remember Me Roofing we choose to use GAF Cobra Snow Country Advanced Roof Ridge Vent for its reputation and design specific to our climate. This ridge vent is a part of their lifetime warranty system and comes highly recommended.
This is what GAF has to say about their Snow Country Ridge vent and its benefits:
Homeowner’s Best Choice
- Vents Your Attic…
- Allows heat and condensation to escape at the most effective location — the ridge
- Looks Terrific…
- Shingle-over design blends into your ridge line
- Watertight…
- Passes the 110 mph wind-driven rain test
- Snow Guard™…
- Helps prevent snow infiltration in harsh winter weather
- Insect Guard…
- Specially designed louver spacing helps keep insects out
- Energy Efficient…
- May even reduce your energy bills!
- Durable…
- Designed with high-impact polymers
- Peace Of Mind…
Up to a Lifetime ltd. warranty when installed on Lifetime Shingle roofs
Ridge vent is installed by cutting 2” from each side of necessary ridges, avoiding rafters, soffit space and valleys. When installing ridge vent above dormers, the attic spaces need to be separate if lower than the main ridge.
In the past people have experienced issues when getting ridge vent installed, you may have heard some of these rumours. If installed incorrectly they can be ineffective and leak. Hiring a qualified installer like those at Remember Me Roofing will prevent these issues.
There are a couple factors that could prevent you from getting ridge vent.
- Not enough ridge/soffit ratios to support the ridge vent.
- Rafters are running horizontally instead of vertically.
- Your pitch is under 3/12.
Adding supports in the attic can rectify the second option. You may not be made aware of this fact until the roof in being completed if your contractor has not inspected your attic. At that point you can choose to use a different venting system or add the supports.
All ventilation systems need an adequate intake system to accompany it. Soffits are the most common intake. For those who live downtown Ottawa or in a generally older area beware. Talk to your estimator to make sure their estimate has addressed the intake; they are generally weak in those areas.
Mixing vents is never recommended in the same attic space. Mixing vents will affect all systems installed. Mixing will decrease the pressure in your system; one might be more powerful than the next and create an intake source. Warranties are voided in such instances. Over ventilation is just as bad as inadequate ventilation.
Our highly trained installers at Remember Me Roofing can provide you the best ventilation system installed as per the manufactures specs. Call us for your best options and solutions.
Take a minute and follow the link below to read more about GAF’s ridge venting:
https://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential/Products/Roof_Vents/Cobra_Snow_Country_Advanced
