Toledo Roofers: Article About Cold Roofs Versus Hot Roofs
On the roof, the soffit is a flat surface on the underside of the roof overhangs. Often made from vinyl or wood, this surface often has a vent installed to draw air and may have light fixtures installed.
Toledo roofers FAQ: How can homeowners determine whether they have a hot or cold roof?One of the most telling signs that can help determine whether a roof is hot or cold is whether or not it has roof vents. In some cases, the vents may be covered especially if the roof was converted later on. The presence of spray foam is also a major indicator.
For some homeowners, dealing with the attic and roof can be very difficult, especially if they find that their energy bills have risen over time. They may be surprised to learn that they can fix these problems by turning a roof into a proper cold roof or hot roof. Although the hot roof theory and the cold roof theory may not be well known, experienced Toledo roofers can help homeowners understand the concept so they can make the best decisions for their roofs.
Cold roofs are traditionally vented roofs. In a cold roof, insulation is added to the attic floor to reduce the amount of heat transfer between the living space and the attic. Vents are usually placed in the soffits and in the roof ridge. This creates a pressure system that draws in cool air from underneath the roof soffits. The air is drawn throughout the attic space before being pushed out through the roof vent. By bringing in cooled air, the attic space is kept from becoming too hot and the moisture content is controlled.
Even though this system can work well, there are many homes that are not properly ventilated and not properly insulated. Poor ventilation leads to major moisture problems that can cause a roof to degrade faster than expected. If the building is poorly insulated, homeowners lose a large amount of heated or cooled air throughout the year.
roofers from Johnson Construction of Toledo OH would be happy to answer any question you have about roof repair or residential roofing.
A hot roof is a roof that has been completely sealed off against the outside environment. This means that there are no attic vents or ventilation system of any kind. The idea behind this type of roof is that since the attic is already heated or cooled through air that is escaping through the attic floor, moving the home's envelope to the roof can actually save on energy and prevent your HVAC system from overloading.
Hot roofs are created by spraying foam insulation in between the roof rafters. This insulation prevents heat transfer from the inside of the attic to the roof deck and the shingles. This is a good option if the HVAC system is located in the attic since cooled and heated air that is normally lost through the ducts will still benefit the household. In fact, this means that energy costs may be lower than in cold roofs because the duct leakage is mitigated.
No matter what type of roof is chosen, homeowners should ensure that the roof is properly insulated and vented if they chose a cold roof. Having the roof inspected by a trusted roofer can provide homeowners the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
