Ventilation is the cheapest thing that makes a roof last here, and 2 of the 177 roofers listed in Chicago metro work on it.
At a glance
- Intake at the soffit and exhaust at the ridge have to be balanced.
- Ridge vent with blocked soffits pulls air out of the house instead.
- Insulation pushed into the eaves is the most common blocked intake.
- A hot attic in summer and a frosted attic in winter are the same fault.
Highly rated roofers across the county
Ranked by rating and review count. Call two or three before you decide.
TTLC Inc.
4.9 from 1,069 reviews
Proliance General Contractors & Roofing
4.8 from 637 reviews
Countryside Roofing Siding and Windows, Inc.
4.8 from 537 reviews
C&N Construction Inc.
4.6 from 627 reviews
M&M Home Remodeling Services - Arlington Heights
4.8 from 448 reviews
Skyline Exteriors & Construction, PLLC
4.9 from 312 reviews
Global Exterior Experts
4.8 from 341 reviews
Gutters Wilson Installation Roofing Siding Service
5.0 from 269 reviews
Anchor Point Roofing
5.0 from 260 reviews
Common questions
How much attic ventilation do I need
The usual rule is one square foot of net free vent area for every 150 square feet of attic floor, halved when a vapor barrier is in place and the intake and exhaust are balanced.
Are attic fans a good idea
Usually not here. A powered fan can depressurize the attic and pull conditioned air out of the house. Fixing intake and exhaust is the better spend.
Can ventilation be fixed without a new roof
Soffit intake can be opened up any time. Ridge exhaust is far cheaper to add while the roof is off, so plan it with a replacement.