How To Ventilate An 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.

How to ventilate an attic.

Your actual living space is sealed and insulated at the attic floor the attic is outside this envelope. In the winter allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep it cold which reduces the potential for ice damming snow that melts off a roof from an attic that is too warm and then re freezes at the gutters causing an ice dam that can damage the roof. If there are asphalt shingles on your roof the attic must be ventilated to comply with the terms of the manufacturer s warranty. Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed.

Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics. Noticed one of the attic vents was not working. The unmentioned evil of attic ventilation fans is that they often pull interior air conditioned air up from the home into the attic through the ceiling via wires pipes and other air leak penetrations. How to determine whether you need better attic ventilation.

Help purchased home 8 years ago with 2 power attic vents. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to. Once this happens the negative pressure that is created in the house pulls hot outside air in causing the air conditioner to work harder. Don t avoid ventilating your attic for fear you re letting cold air into the house.

That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life. Things have been ok low energy bills house very comfortable. That keeps your attic dry and reduces. In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below.