Venting A Roof Without Attic

Without baffles blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all.

Venting a roof without attic.

For more information on ventilation and moisture control read this article i wrote on proper attic ventilation it s my position that you should have a proper ventilation system in your attic and that you should always take the time to air seal the floor of the attic. But before you cut any holes plan the locations of the attic vents. Gable louvers help provide attic ventilation to exhaust gable louvers help provide attic ventilation to exhaust unwanted heat and moisture which can damage wood or roofing materials. If you have an older home that has no soffits eaves or roof overhangs then there are a few different options to add venting to your attic.

Once inside the air heats up and rises higher ultimately exiting through venting at the roof s gables through ridge vents cut into the roof s apex or other vent holes in the roof. Cool air enters the attic through soffit vents in the eaves. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available. How to vent an attic without eaves.

Adding attic vents is a simple matter of cutting holes and installing vents. A balanced ventilation system 50 intake ventilation combined with 50 exhaust ventilation can also lower utility bills. If the attic space is going to be conditioned either for living or mechanical purposes or if a home design calls for a vaulted ceiling provision r806 3 in the international residential code calls for the roof deck above the space to be vented continuously from the eave to the ridge. Even without soffit venting it is important to provide an air gap at the soffit level to help keep the roof deck dry.

Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Continuous or individual soffits. Many years ago home builders were simply unaware of the importance of attic ventilation this is why some older homes don t even have soffits. Soffit vents are one of the most popular intake vent styles.

When the attic becomes part of the home to be heated and cooled open wall gable vents and roof vents are no longer feasible but the underside of the roof the sheathing and rafters can still. Most homes already have some passive attic venting built in. They are easy to install under the roof s overhang which is known as the soffit are generally hidden from sight and provide excellent protection from weather outdoor debris and pests while still allowing air to flow into the attic. Photos 1 6 show how it s done.

Vent the roof deck.