Does My Attic Need To Be Vented

The model building codes allow both vented and unvented roof assemblies.

Does my attic need to be vented. Here s the answer to the question posed in my article title. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. In other words the entire vent opening doesn t count as vented space. However in a traditionally insulated attic insulation on the ceiling the attic is vented.

The easy answer is yes your attic should absolutely be vented. Our thermostat is nearby this half closet. But when it comes down to it it can get a little complicated. What your attic probably does not have is a set of code compliant stairs.

To get down to brass tacks the question becomes less about should you and more about how much you need. Does the furnace and evaporator coils need to be vented like this or can i close up this hole and help reduce air loss into the attic. The choice of venting or not venting is a design and construction choice not a requirement determined by the physics or by the building code. That said air resistance and interference such as vent grates reduces the area of true ventilation.

Your attic may presently have a fixed ladder a pull down ladder or no ladder at all. Calculate or enter the square footage of the attic or area to be vented. When done correctly attic venting can reduce the potential for condensation in winter and summer. Generally speaking you need a ratio of 1 300 where for every 300 square feet of ceiling space you need 1 square foot of attic ventilation.

When we seal the attic with spray foam it s as tight as a butter tub. The ventilation that controls moisture from condensation and regulates the temperature in your attic relies on air circulation. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. Yes using spray foam we have added your attic to the conditioned space.

Let owens corning roofing help you calculate exactly how much ventilation you will need for a healthy and balanced attic with our 4 step ventilation calculator. My question is this. To convert your attic to living space you cannot provide access via a ladder. Attics or roofs can be designed and constructed to be either vented or unvented in any hygro thermal zone map 1.