Roof penetrations refer to any hole or cut in the roof where different projections such as pipes or chimneys pass through. The penetration design is determined by the size of the hole, the pitch, and its location on the roof. Chimneys, skylights, and exhaust fans are the most common type of roof penetrations found in homes across the country. Here’s a brief discussion of roof penetrations and their importance in a property:
Chimneys Chimneys play an important role in transporting smoke out of the property. This function is very important, as the products of smoke or combustion contain hazardous gases. Without chimneys, harmful smoke will only circulate inside the home and can cause all sorts of problems.
Skylights Skylights improve the amount of natural light that gets into a home. These help balance the sources of illumination inside a room, reduce glare, and transform living areas into a more open and airy space. Some skylight designs produce a chimney effect, producing a cooling effect and bringing fresh air throughout the house. These help in lowering energy consumption and demand for unsustainable power.
Exhaust Vents These are used mainly for removing steam, smoke, and smells from the kitchen. They are designed to remove fine airborne particles created when cooking food, which is a source of indoor air pollution. They also help reduce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other hazardous by-products created by gas burners. Exhaust vents are also used in the bathroom.
Sealing Roof Penetrations If not properly sealed, roof penetration can cause problems. They can puncture the roof and allow wind, rain, or vermin to enter the property. Roof penetrations should be completely sealed off and managed so that none of these things will enter the home. Roof penetrations can be retrofitted or installed before the roof cladding goes on. This can help homeowners save time and effortin terms of removing and replacing the roof cladding. For homeowners who want to install one or more of these, it is important to make sure that the flashing and seals will not have a negative reaction with the cladding material.
Resources: http://www.bowerroofing.com.au/ http://web.stanford.edu/group/narratives/classes/0809/CEE215/ReferenceLibrary/EDR%20Design%20Briefs/sg-2-design.pdf http://www.build.com.au/roof-penetrations