Get a Healthier Home with Proper Ventilation

 

 

Families breathe easier when fresh, clean airflow circulates in and around the home.

 

Did you know that people spend on average 90% of their days inside? Between home, office, shopping and the car, we’re inside more than we think. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside air due to off-gassing from interior finishes like paint, carpet and flooring and from activities such as cleaning, cooking and bathing.

Humidity from cooking and bathing can result in mold, mildew and other allergens that adversely affect people with asthma and allergies. Proper home ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup and contributes to a healthier living environment. While mechanical features such as updated kitchen exhaust fans can enhance ventilation, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to ensure natural ventilation creates a healthier building envelope.

 

Roofs, Walls and Soffits are Used to Create Ventilation

Due to increasing energy efficiency standards, many homes are tightly sealed to prevent air leakage, but several parts of the home have natural ventilation built in from the start.

Roofs – Most roofs are designed with vents in them to create natural airflow through vented soffits in the lower parts of the roof and escape through roof ridge or gable vents. This keeps the attic cooler and prevents moisture from building up inside it.

Walls – Homes are designed to include utility vents in walls to promote airflow that removes moisture and prevents the buildup of polluted air inside.

Soffits – The horizontal space between the roof’s eaves and the wall, soffits allow for passive ventilation up into the roof.

Vents or vented materials on walls and roofs work together to take advantage of passive ventilation. That means hot air rises and escapes through vents high in the roof, while cooler air flows in through vented soffits and wall vents.

 

Ply Gem Vented Soffits, Utility Vents and Gable Vents Provide Natural Ventilation

Ply Gem offers stylish and color coordinating vents and soffits, so your home not only stays cool and dry, but also looks great.

Utility Vents – Ply Gem utility vents are designed for maximum airflow and, additionally, are designed to keep out insects, birds and other animals. Made of high-performance polypropylene, they are durable and easy to install on all types of siding. Best of all, our vents are available in a wide variety of colors to complement the home’s exterior cladding.

Gable Vents – Available in round, round top, half-round, square, octagonal and rectangular, Ply Gem gable vents maximize natural airflow through the attic and provide a decorative accent. With a unique, two-piece snap-on system, they are easily installed or removed for cleaning. A fiberglass mesh layer prevents wildlife from entering the attic space, while allowing airflow.

Vented soffits – Vented panels increase airflow, reducing utility bills and preventing mold and mildew damage. Ply Gem vented soffits are available in a wide variety of design styles, including options with hidden vents. Our Mastic Ventura® Hidden Vent provides 50% more airflow than other vented soffits.

 

See more options for creating a beautiful exterior with color coordinated Ply Gem vents and soffits.