How To Ventilate A Roof

Flat roof ventilation allows for the circulation of air in the property particularly for warmer rooms in residential buildings.

How to ventilate a roof. Hot air beneath the metal needs an escape route near the top of the roof and intake vents at the bottom of the roof. Fairly simple stuff fresh air in old stale air out. Of airspace between the top of the insulation and the back of the roof sheathing. A ridge vent is a ventilation strip that is placed along the ridgeline of the home.

Roof ventilation depends on the simple scientific fact that hot air rises. Prior to installing the ridge vent a 1 inch wide strip of roof decking is cut out along both sides of the ridgeline to allow for air movement through the vent. For best performance the airspace in the vent chute should be a minimum of 2 in. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic.

Sure installing roof vents for older homes can reduce your hot air during the summer but there are probably more low risk cost effective ways to increase your home s energy. Unless you re bulk filling rafter. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. Different forms of high and low level ventilation are used as well apart from the soffit vents and ridge vents pictured.

When thermal insulation is placed below the deck the ventilation must. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. What is flat roof ventilation. If you choose to vent the roof deck then be serious about it and really vent it.

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter. Warm air that escapes living space also carries moisture that will condense on rafters or roof sheathing. Good roof ventilation can do this but shingle color sun exposure and insulation are exponentially more important to overall energy efficiency than ventilation.