Air Vent is committed to helping roofing professionals everywhere by collecting and sharing best practices and solutions in residential attic ventilation. Air Vent University is an extension of this commitment. Here you’ll find useful information to help you in the field now and as a reference for the future. We’ll add new “lesson plans” regularly. We’ll also mix in some fun with pop quizzes and occasional prizes. And check out our podcast, too. Welcome. For additional learning opportunities, see our Education page.
Air Vent University
Airing it Out with Air Vent is a podcast focusing on residential attic ventilation best practices, tips, and solutions. It is an extension of our popular Attic Ventilation: Ask the Expert in-person seminars held for residential roofing professionals across North America every winter. Listen to episodes below, or find us on your favorite Podcast Network.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 24: What to Look for During an Attic Inspection
Episode 23: The Power of Word-of-Mouth Referrals
Episode 22: Insulation Mistakes that Impact Attic Ventilation
Episode 21: A Word of Caution about Bathroom Ventilation
Episode 20: Add Photos of Projects to Your Toolbox
Episode 19: What Separates You from Your Competition?
Episode 18: Tips for New Residential Roofing Companies from Seasoned Veterans
Episode 17: Handling a Negative Customer Review
Episode 16: Point/Counterpoint between Homeowner and Roofer
Episode 15: How Hot Should the Attic be in the Summer?
Episode 14: Homeowner’s Energy Bill Cut 25% Thanks to Attic Ventilation
Episode 13: Improper Attic Ventilation Reduces Shingle Life 24%
Episode 12: Getting Insurance to Pay to Bring the Attic Ventilation Up to Code
Episode 11: Attic Ventilation Can Boost Your Business
Episode 10: Invest in Yourself and Your Business with Continuous Education
Episode 9: Fighting Wintertime Moisture
Episode 8: Ice Dams vs. Roofs
Episode 7: What Homeowners Should Know about Attic Ventilation
Episode 6: Roofers VENT about Homeowners
Episode 5:
Costly Lesson Learned After Skipping Attic Inspection
Episode 4: 2nd Most Common Attic Ventilation Mistake
Episode 3: #1 Attic Ventilation Mistake Across North America
Episode 2: Top 10 Residential Attic Ventilation Tips from the Field
Episode 1: Most Homes Have Incorrect Attic Ventilation. So What?
Episode 24: Similar to a doctor examining a patient to fully understand any health concerns, an attic inspection can help reveal any problems with the health of the attic ventilation system, the roof and more. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, our guest shares the key things to look for during an attic inspection. A special thank you to our podcast guest Jake Jacobson, vice president of sales at SF5 Construction Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 23: When customers CHOOSE to tell their family, friends and neighbors about you, your company, and your outstanding service, you have a powerful word-of-mouth referral. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, our guest calls such customers “Our Loyal Tribe of Raving Fans” and explains how to get more of them. A special thank you to our podcast guest Drew Cope, owner of Cope Construction & Renovation Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 22: Attic insulation provides thermal benefits to the house and comfort to the people living inside. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss common insulation installation errors that offset those benefits and negatively affect the performance of the attic ventilation. A special thank you to our podcast guest Ron Bastian, owner of Bastian Roofing in Richfield, Wisconsin, Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 21: Every day the average family of four generates 2-4 gallons of water vapor through activities such as showering. But where exactly does the bathroom exhaust fan ductwork take that shower moisture? In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss common bathroom exhaust fan mistakes to avoid. A special thank you to our podcast guest Barry Sigler, a home inspector and owner of Barry Sigler Inspections in Canton, Ohio, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 20: The saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” is never truer than photographs of roofing projects. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss how roofing contractors use photography to inform current customers, secure future customers, train new hires, and guide warranty questions. A special thank you to our podcast guest Ryan Esquivel, an estimator for Keith Green Construction in Aloha, Oregon, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! An additional thank you to Jake Jacobson from SF5 Construction in Little Elm, Texas, Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 19: What is it that separates one residential roofing company from another? In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss the distinguishing aspects as viewed by the companies themselves. A special thank you to our podcast guest Stan Robinson, owner of Pacific West Roofing in Hubbard, Oregon, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! An additional thank you to the following roofing professionals for also contributing
Greg Pike
Max Bumgardner
Tom Picha
Trevor Atwell Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 18: Owning a roofing business or managing the overall operations is a major responsibility. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we share tips from experienced roofing contractors – some of them owners themselves – with the goal of a smooth start and long-lasting success. A special thank you to our podcast guest Trevor Atwell, owner of Atwell Exterior Services in Greenville, North Carolina, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! An additional thank you to the following roofing professionals for also contributing
Greg Pike
Max Bumgardner
Tom Picha
Stan Robinson Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 17: Handling a negative customer review can be tricky business – whether the review is true or false. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we examine the timing of responding to negative reviews and how to turn it into a positive. A special thank you to Tom Picha, vice president at All in 1 Home Improvements in Oswego, Illinois, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Have a suggestion for a future Podcast topic? Send us your ideas and feedback to pscelsi@gibraltar1.com. Episode 16: Homeowners are very likely going to have questions about the roof estimate including the attic ventilation portion of it. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we role play a homeowner/roofing contractor conversation about the estimate. Will the contractor’s answers help the homeowner understand the scope of work and agree with the contractor’s proposal? A special thank you to Daniel White, roofing consultant at Roof Life of Oregon in Tigard, Oregon, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 15: How do you know if the attic ventilation system is working properly in the summer months? How hot should it be in the attic compared to the outside temperature peak of day during the warmer months? In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss what’s a reasonable attic temperature in the summer when the attic ventilation system is balanced with intake and exhaust vents. A special thank you to Chris Arrington, vice president Arrington Roofing in Dallas, Texas, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 14: Proper attic ventilation helps protect the roof covering on the house, the roof deck, the attic insulation and more. It also helps to save energy. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, a roofing contractor shares one homeowner’s story in which the electric bill was reduced 25%. A special thank you to Khaled Kazmi, a roof specialist at Precision Roof Crafters in Houston Texas, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 13: Balanced attic ventilation with equal amounts of intake and exhaust airflow can help the shingles on the roof meet their full life expectancy. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, roofing professionals report a 24% reduction in shingle life and many documented problems to the shingles due to improper attic ventilation. A special thank you to Greta Bajrami, the CEO of Golden Group Roofing in Westborough, Massachusetts for sharing her expertise for this podcast episode! Greta was among the finalists for Beacon Building Products Female Roofing Professional of the Year. Episode 12: Paying to replace a storm-damaged roof without also paying to bring the attic ventilation up to minimum building code standards is purchasing a sub-par roof. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss how contractors are convincing homeowner’s insurance to pick up the full tab on behalf of homeowners. A special thank you to Kyle Pyatt, the Director of Residential Sales for Gen 3 Roofing Corporation in Centennial, Colorado and Sabrina Johnson, President of KDCO Home Improvement in Akron, Ohio for sharing their expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 11: Attic ventilation isn’t just good for the roof and house, it’s good for business, too. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss how contractors can boost their bottom line and their credibility by regularly including balanced intake and exhaust attic ventilation in the scope of their roofing projects. A special thank you to Kyle Pyatt, the Director of Residential Sales for Gen 3 Roofing Corporation in Centennial, Colorado for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 10: By investing in yourself and your employees through continuous education, you help build your individual value and grow your business. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we discuss many readily available ways to continuously learn. A special thank you to Kevin Marcano, owner of Marcano Roofing in Salem, Oregon for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 9: Occupants of the house generate between 2 to 4 gallons of water vapor daily by cooking, cleaning, showering, doing laundry, breathing and perspiring. In the winter, this water vapor is attracted to the colder, dryer attic where it can become a problem if it’s not properly ventilated. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we examine how to fight wintertime moisture. A special thank you to Jerry Becker roofing consultant with Roof Life of Oregon in Tigard, Oregon for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode! Episode 8: It’s impossible to completely stop Mother Nature and the ice dams that impact roofs. But it is possible to reduce their frequency and severity. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we share helpful tips in the battle of ICE DAMS vs. ROOFS. A special thank you to all who contributed to this podcast episode!
Sabrina Johnson
Jake Jacobson
Chuck Power Episode 7: When a homeowner is ready to listen to the roofing contractor or home inspector’s assessment of the attic ventilation system, what exactly will be said? In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, here are five key points every homeowner should be aware of about attic ventilation. A special thank you to Shawn Bellis owner of EPIC Exteriors in Overland Park, Kansas for Episode 6: Not every homeowner agrees with the residential roofing contractor’s assessment of the attic ventilation improvements needed. They want a new roof but not necessarily attic ventilation fixes. Sometimes it’s due to price. Sometimes it’s the homeowner’s refusal to understand the project. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we let roofing contractors VENT about homeowners. A special thank you to all who contributed to this podcast episode!
Jeff Heitzenrater
Matt Cooper
Corey Ballweg
Clayton Putman
Greg Pike
Sabrina Johnson
Chris Arrington
Jeff Barnett
Richard Turner
Patrick Readyhough Episode 5: It’s hot in the attic. Getting inside the attic can be tricky. And navigating around is not always easy. But skipping an attic inspection prior to installing a new roof could result in a costly callback – possibly a brand new roof paid for by the roofing contractor. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, Pond Roofing shares its story. A special thank you to Patrick Readyhough of Pond Roofing in Fairfax, Virginia for sharing his story for this podcast episode! Episode 4: Sometimes a homeowner or a roofing contractor or even the HVAC contractor during a house call suggests adding a second type of attic exhaust vent to boost the vents already in place. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, residential roofing pros share their first-hand stories of why mixing types of attic exhaust vents is a problem to avoid. A special thank you to all who contributed to this podcast episode!
Ron Gonzalez
Trevor Atwell
Tim Chapin
Paul Vosen
Scott Dennison
Shawn Bellis
Ron Bastian
Sean Toms
Tom Picha Episode 3: No amount of attic exhaust ventilation can overcome the lack of intake ventilation at the eave/soffit or roof’s lowest edge. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, residential roofing pros explain why they ensure attic ventilation includes exhaust and intake. A special thank you to all who contributed to this podcast episode!
Sue McCollum May
Chris Arrington
Jeff Barnett
Clayton Putman
Greg Pike
Sandra Daffer
Sean Jegen
Sean Toms Episode 2: The most qualified people to offer tips and guidance for avoiding mistakes and callbacks are the very people who have first-hand experience with the issue. In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we asked residential roofing pros to give us their top attic ventilation tips based on what they have seen in the field. A special thank you to all who contributed to this podcast episode!
Scott Dennison
Tom Picha
Sabrina Johnson
Shawn Bellis
Sean Toms
Corey Ballweg
Jeff Heitzenrater
Richard Turner
Jake Jacobson
Trevor Atwell
Tim Chapin
Ron Bastian
Jerry Becker
Sue May
Paul Vosen
Steve DuCharme Episode 1: Most attics have incorrect or insufficient ventilation. Our survey shows it’s 77% of today’s homes. So What? In this episode of Airing it Out with Air Vent, we dive deep into the potential consequences of improperly ventilated attics and explain why it matters.
in Little Elm, Texas, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode!
in Cochranville, Pennsylvania, for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode!
for sharing his expertise for this podcast episode!
for also contributing his industry expertise for this episode!
their industry expertise for this episode!
Campo Roofing in Twinsburg, Ohio
Sutton’s Home Improvement in Springfield, Illinois
All in 1 Home Improvements in Oswego, Illinois
Atwell Exterior Services, Greenville, North Carolina
their industry expertise for this episode!
Campo Roofing in Twinsburg, Ohio
Sutton’s Home Improvement in Springfield, Illinois
All in 1 Home Improvements in Oswego, Illinois
Pacific West Roofing in Hubbard, Oregon
Check out all 5 finalists here.
Additional Resource: Impact of Attic Ventilation on Shingle Life
Learn More: Handy Checklist to Get Insurance to Pay for Proper Attic Ventilation
KDCO Home Improvements - Akron, Ohio
SF5 Construction - Little Elm, Texas
Gulfeagle Supply - Michigan
sharing his expertise for this podcast episode!
Triple Peaks Roofing and Construction - Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Redemption Roofing - Conroe, Texas
Mid-Towne Construction - Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Elite Roofing - Denver, Colorado
Campo Roofing - Twinsburg, Ohio
KDCO Home Improvement - Akron, Ohio
Arrington Roofing - Dallas, Texas
Barnett Roofing & Siding - Canton, Michigan
R. J. Turner Remodeling - Winston Salem, North Carolina
Pond Roofing Company - Fairfax, Virginia
Roofing Contractor - Aurora, Illinois
Atwell Exterior Services - Greenville, North Carolina
Your Safe and Healthy Home - Akron, Ohio
Degenhardt Home Improvement - Madison, Wisconsin
Dennison Exterior Solutions & Gutter Topper - Saint Joseph, Michigan
Epic Exteriors - Overland Park, Kansas
Bastian Roofing - Richfield, Wisconsin
S & K Roofing - Eldersburg, Maryland
Affordable Roofing - Aurora, Illinois
A Better Way Construction and Roofing - Lincoln, Nebraska
Arrington Roofing - Dallas, Texas
Barnett Roofing & Siding - Canton, Michigan
Elite Roofing - Denver, Colorado
Campo Roofing - Twinsburg, Ohio
Hawaiian Built Roofing - Boise, Idaho
Gorilla Exteriors Contracting - Shawnee, Kansas
S & K Roofing - Eldersburg, Maryland
Dennison Exterior Solutions - St. Joseph, Michigan
Affordable Roofing - Aurora, Illinois
KDCO Home Improvements - Akron, Ohio
EPIC Exteriors - Overland Park, Kansas
S & K Roofing - Eldersburg, Maryland
Mid Towne Construction - Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Triple Peaks Roofing & Construction - Olmstead Falls, Ohio
RJ Turner Remodeling - High Point, North Carolina
SF5 Construction - Little Elm, Texas
Atwell Exterior Services - Greenville, North Carolina
Your Safe and Healthy Home - Akron, Ohio
Bastian Roofing - Richfield, Wisconsin
Roof Life of Oregon - Tigard, Oregon
A Better Way Construction & Roofing - Lincoln, Nebraska
Degenhardt Home Improvement - Madison, Wisconsin
Innovative Builders Roofing & Construction - Edmond, Oklahoma