Blistering Heat – In Your Attic, That Is.
Keeping One’s Attic Cool
Perhaps you know that it is important to have a well-ventilated attic so your energy costs don’t go (literally) through the roof during the summer. A hot attic puts an additional strain on your home’s AC system, and keeping air moving through it is the best way to hold temperatures down. This is accomplished through a combination of soffit vents, turbines or passive vents, ridge vents, and even thermostatically controlled fans. Some say these consume more energy than they save, though.
Save That Roof
What many don’t realize is that there is more at stake than energy savings when it comes to attic ventilation. The picture you see shows asphalt roof shingles that are “blistered”. Blistering can be caused by trapped moisture in shingles, but the widespread, destructive blistering shown in this photo was almost certainly caused by the heat generated by a non-ventilated garage attic. Maybe the builders did not think attic ventilation was important since it was a garage, but it looks to me like they were wrong.
An Easy Fix That Can Save You Thousands
Soffit vents and passive roof vents are inexpensive items that can be installed by a roofer or capable handyman. They will keep the structure cooler and help prevent damage to shingles. So, if suspect your home or garage lacks adequate ventilation, look into improving that. It’s a bunch cheaper than replacing a roof.