Attic Air Circulation

Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.

Attic air circulation. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques. About attic ventilation natural attic ventilation. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.

For instance attic ventilation is used widely in cold climates to evacuate the warm moist air that escapes from the living space below. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool air to enter the attic. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

This is normally the point where air enters your attic. Static roof line vents are effective for ventilation but generally aren t recommended due to issues with leaks. One reason for the lack of agreement over attic ventilation is the tremendous variation in climate across north america. Attic air is an insulation company that specializes in evaluating your home to ensure that it is properly ventilated and insulated and the evaluation is free.

Since 1996 attic air has earned a reputation for providing effective solutions for your insulation and ventilation needs. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Vents come in various styles. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape.

Whether using loose fill or batts put the vapor barrier closest to the warm side of your installation where hot moist air would get in facing the house s interior in cold climates beneath floor insulation and the attic s interior in hot climates on top of floor insulation. Some regions don t require a vapor barrier. Additionally attic ventilation is a key ingredient in the defense against ice dams in snow and ice climates. Rarely will you find a building practice that works everywhere.

If the soffit of your home isn t perforated to allow air movement either replace it with perforated soffit or install round air vents under the eaves to allow air flow. At first it may seem odd to add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to. Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your 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.

Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space.