How To Ventilate Your Attic

The code minimum for attic ventilation in the 2012 irc section r806 roof ventilation 1 is as follows.

How to ventilate your attic.

In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. Your actual living space is sealed and insulated at the attic floor the attic is outside this envelope. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. If you have either ice dams or moisture buildup improve your attic ventilation.

How attic ventilation works. However if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well sealed from the rest of the house attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the. Intake vents which are located at the down slope edge of the roof aka eaves and allow fresh air into the attic. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca.

Exhaust vents which are located near or on the ridge line of the roof and allow air to leave the attic. That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. If those steps don t solve the problem add more soffit vents following the.

Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed. Ensuring your home has the proper attic ventilation according to these guidelines however can save yourself the stress and hassle of an emergency roof repair. Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside. Of net free area for every 150 sq.

If there are asphalt shingles on your roof the attic must be ventilated to comply with the terms of the manufacturer s warranty. How to check attic ventilation. To properly ventilate an attic two types of vents are needed. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse.

Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques. In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. To avoid rotting wood clumping insulation and mold your attic needs to be properly ventilated. Here are four signs of an unventilated or under.

Of attic floor space. How to properly ventilate your attic. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life. Don t avoid ventilating your attic for fear you re letting cold air into the house.