Does My Attic Have Enough Ventilation

But in homes that do not have proper attic insulation or ventilation heat tends to migrate.

Does my attic have enough ventilation. Roofing experts say the majority of u s. Homes do not have proper roof ventilation which can lead to severe roof damage. In a properly designed passive system air enters through the soffit. This is another benefit of proper ventilation in the attic but it appears that unpowered ventilation is enough to control the heat at least to a level that will help maintain shingles.

If the vents aren t supplying sufficient circulation the temperature in the attic can rise to 140 degrees fahrenheit or more on sunny days and that can significantly affect the climate in your. Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Attic ventilation in the summer generally heat rises and cool air falls.

The federal housing administration recommends at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. That said air resistance and interference such as vent grates reduces the area of true ventilation. Determining what you need is simple all you need is the size of your house and a calculator. In other words the entire vent opening doesn t count as vented space.

Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. Attic ventilation should equal approximately 1 square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. For instance in some places like las vegas the sun tends to set on the roof causing the attic to be warm.

Heat in the attic can roast shingles from below causing them to wear prematurely. You can also contact your local municipality to check on building code in your area. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. The ventilation that controls moisture from condensation and regulates the temperature in your attic relies on air circulation.