Attic Ventilation Installation in Rockford, IL

Ventilation we install

• Ridge vents. A continuous vent along the peak that lets hot air out evenly.
• Soffit intake vents. Openings under the eaves that let fresh air in. Without intake, exhaust vents don’t do much.
• Box/static vents. Individual roof vents for roofs where a ridge vent doesn’t fit.
• Powered and solar attic fans. For the occasional attic where passive vents alone can’t keep up. A fan has to be paired with enough intake, or it can pull conditioned air out of the house, so we only recommend one when it makes sense.
• Balanced intake and exhaust. We size the system so the air coming in matches the air going out, so the vents work together instead of fighting each other.

How ventilation helps prevent ice dams, and what it can’t fix alone

Ice dams start when warm air from the house heats the roof deck. Snow melts, water runs down to the cold eave, and it freezes there. The ice builds up, and meltwater backs up under the shingles. If an ice dam has already caused a leak, see ice dam roof leak repair.

Good ventilation keeps the roof deck closer to the outside temperature, so less snow melts in the first place. It isn’t the whole fix, though. The University of Minnesota Extension points out that stopping warm air leaks from the house and having enough insulation are just as important. We handle the ventilation side. For insulation and air sealing, we recommend working with an insulation contractor. When both are done right, ice dams usually stop being a yearly problem. For more tips, read our post on preventing ice dams and our cold weather roof care guide.

Ventilation during a roof replacement

A roof replacement is the easiest time to fix ventilation. The shingles are already off, so adding ridge vent and opening up intake is simple. As a GAF Master Elite contractor, we install systems the way the manufacturer specifies. GAF is clear about this: its shingle warranty still covers manufacturing defects whatever ventilation you have, but damage caused by inadequate ventilation isn’t covered (GAF’s guide to balanced ventilation). GAF attic ventilation products can also count toward qualifying accessories for some of its enhanced warranties. Most roofs we replace are done in a day, ventilation included. Ask about asphalt shingle roofing.

FAQs