I bought a row home 1 1/2 years ago, and I have central air along with an oil furnace. The rubber roof was installed approximately a year before I bought the house. I'm finding that on the second floor, it is extremely hot and stuffy in the summer. More so then what I have experienced in the past with a gabled roof. My logic is to somehow get a vent in the roof to allow some of the hot air to be released, but I have no idea if that is even possible. Any suggestions on how to handle this situation? I have to keep this as inexpensive as possible, and it could be one of those things added to my 'wish list' for future. Thank you for any suggestions.

Is a thermostat controlled attic fan possible,, they make a big difference

I don't have an attic, so I'm not sure if this would work. Could that be installed on the exterior of the roof?

The venting would depend on if the sheeting below the rubber roofing has any spacing between the ceiling and the underside of the sheeting itself.

There has to be some way to move the air.There are vents for flat roofs,although I have had little success with them, they are installed at the roof and wall connection(if you have an area like this)Roof-to-wall venting is just too close to the roof line and with winters in PA,the snow build-up just makes for problems when it thaws, much less if there is any water retained in a storm.

The attic fan suggested would be just like a skylight,installed on a 'curb',which is a raised section of a flat roof and it then can be 'flashed' around,stopping water from going through the flat roofing.Inside the fan area would be dressed like a skylight, trimmed out with whatever you want to see up to the fan.This wouldn't be a specifically cheep way to go though, the fan would have to be able to shed water and retain heat during the winter, specialized.

Perhaps a pitched roof installed over the flat one, then you could install typical venting and eliminate the flat roof troubles they are typically plagued with.

Thank you both very much for your help. I will have to get a contractor out with whichever way to go. This has given me feedback so that I do know that it will be an involved process. Again, thank you both.

KBC Expert & wmproop, would a gabled mount ventilator work?

Probably would help but how would you close it off in the winter time when the heat is needed? Heat rises and out it would go doing you no good

Tell you what I did see a man do ,he installed a power vent in the highest part of his upstairs something like you put in a bathroom to draw out heat,and connected a galvanized stove pipe to it with a cap on top.., far as I no its still there and working today