Attic Insulation Ventilation

Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca.

Attic insulation ventilation. In cold climates the primary purpose of attic or roof ventilation is to maintain a cold roof temperature to control ice dams created by melting snow and to vent moisture that moves from the conditioned space to the attic ventilation acts to bypass the vapour barrier created by most roof membranes. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. The solution is to add baffles which allow air to flow past the insulation photo 9. Baffles are available at home centers.

Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. Low clearance attics with limited headroom for maneuvering during installation. That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents. You can also contact your local municipality to check on building code in your area.

The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house. Attics where there is existing insulation to be topped since it fills gaps and joints well. If your attic is well insulated the insulation might be plugging the spaces between rafters just above exterior walls. When installed as part of a properly balanced when installed as part of a properly balanced attic ventilation system gaf cobra exhaust vent is a shingle over exhaust vent installed at the roof ridge that helps exhaust excess heat and moisture from your attic.

Worse yet inadequate insulation is almost surely allowing moisture laden air into your attic. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Diyers who want to get the job done quickly and are comfortable working with power equipment. 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.

If this air lingers it can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it. For instance attic ventilation is used widely in cold climates to evacuate the warm moist air that escapes from the living space below. It comes on an easy to install flexible mesh roll and is hand nailable with no complicated fitting wrapping nail gun adapters connectors or end plugs needed. Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation your furnace should not be heating your attic.