Old House Roof Ventilation

The hvac system and the roof.

Old house roof ventilation.

This style vent provides a quick way to ventilate every rafter bay. The amount of space you devote to intake must be equal to the amount you allow for exhaust and these must be calculated according to the size of your attic and slope of your roof. Wide x 8 ft. Soffit vents come in several sizes and styles including small round discs and rectangular grilles.

Fitted with louvers or electronically controlled windows they help draw cool air in through soffits or open windows then vent warm air from the top of the building. The most common way to add ventilation to an attic is by installing air intakes in the soffits and putting an outlet at the gable of the house. Strips vents come in white brown and silver. A ridge vent is a ventilation strip that is placed along the ridgeline of the home.

Vent roofs with steeples towers or cupolas can be found in different buildings from barns to cathedrals. We opted for aluminum strip vents that measure 3 in. 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.

This creates a natural air flow by drawing in the air from outside pushing it up and out through the vent at the top of the house. This is called passive ventilation. An adequately vented roof and attic helps extend the lifespan of two of the most expensive systems in your house. The building codes and building science for natural roof ventilation however only appeared in the 1940s.

Tearing off an old roof offers the opportunity to have your roofing contractor add one of these upgrades. Vents come in various styles. There are some styles of vaulted ceiling homes or flat roof homes that have ventilation spaces within the roof itself and no attic. Good roof ventilation can do this but shingle color sun exposure and insulation are exponentially more important to overall energy efficiency than ventilation.

You ll pay less than 3 for an 8 ft. Roof ventilation in a cold climate vents moisture and ensures a cold roof temperature to avoid ice dams. The key to proper ventilation of your roof and attic is balance. Before ridge vents became standard cupolas were used to cool houses and barns.

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 efficiency. It is important that air movement occurs and is not impeded by any framing members of the home. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape.

Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.