Why Roof Ventilation Is Necessary in Florida

Data from the Florida Climate Center shows that Florida is definitely the most humid state in the U.S., where the average dew point is move than 55.  Southern Florida, at the tip of the panhandle, averages around 60. The higher the dew point, the greater the amount of water vapor in the air.

This climate means homeowners need special care when constructing their homes, especially their roofing systems. Constant high humidity can become trouble later on if the roof is not proofed for moisture. And one of the simplest ways to address high humidity is simply using ventilation. Today, Dynamic Roofing Concepts Inc. explains why and how.

Why Ventilate At All?

Ventilation encourages airflow. If you’ve air-dried an article of clothing—even out of direct sunlight—you might already be familiar with this problem. More airflow equals faster, more uniform drying of any wet surface.

In a roof, you can achieve good airflow simply by including intake and exhaust vents. Intake vents pull fresh air from the outside, and exhaust vents push warmer, moister air from your interior outside, where it can lose its water vapor via the water cycle. If the design of your roof prevents this—such as in commercial roofing—you can use mechanisms to ventilate your roof, such as exhaust fans and box vents.

Discourages Mold and Mildew Growth

High humidity is one of the biggest accelerators of house decay, as most parts of a house are still made of wood—and wood is susceptible to moisture. With Florida’s climate being the way it is, it makes sense to prevent water vapor in the air from settling into your roof’s wooden structures, which can rot and weaken it from within.

To work around this, roofing contractors in Florida increasingly use metal roofing. Moisture doesn’t affect it as much as wood, and it lasts longer. However, not all metal roofing products are equal, and its supports still use wood instead of metal (due to weight considerations), so even metal roofs still require ventilation.

Dynamic Roofing Concepts Inc. is the only name you need for your roofing project. To learn more about how humidity can damage your roof and what options are available to you, call us today at (813) 657-7663 or fill out our contact form. We serve various Florida areas, including Tampa, FL.