Attic Air Flow

The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves.

Attic air flow. Since 1996 attic air has earned a reputation for providing effective solutions for your insulation and ventilation needs. Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge. Federal housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation evenly split between intake and exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca.

For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. Proper air circulation through the attic space helps lower cooling bills and prolongs the life of roofing materials. Staple plastic or foam baffles to the roof sheathing near the eaves to keep the material away. 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.

This is normally the point where air enters your attic. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. If your attic is well insulated the insulation might be plugging the spaces between rafters just above exterior walls. Static roof line vents are effective for ventilation but generally aren t recommended due to issues with leaks.

Baffles are available at home centers. Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques. Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under. 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. Make sure there is air flow from the eaves. In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture.

Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your attic. Cool air in hot air out attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents.