Old House Roof Ventilation

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

Old house roof ventilation. A ridge vent is a ventilation strip that is placed along the ridgeline of the home. 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. 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. It also helps maintain good indoor air quality since stuffy humid air is continuously moved through the house into the outdoors.

Roof ventilation in a cold climate vents moisture and ensures a cold roof temperature to avoid ice dams. Vent roofs with steeples towers or cupolas can be found in different buildings from barns to cathedrals. Strips vents come in white brown and silver. Soffit vents come in several sizes and styles including small round discs and rectangular grilles.

Prior to installing the ridge vent a 1 inch wide strip of roof decking is cut out along both sides of the ridgeline to allow for air movement through the vent. Vents come in various styles. This style vent provides a quick way to ventilate every rafter bay. You ll pay less than 3 for an 8 ft.

We opted for aluminum strip vents that measure 3 in. 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. Before ridge vents became standard cupolas were used to cool houses and barns. 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.

The key to proper ventilation of your roof and attic is balance. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool air to enter the attic. Good roof ventilation can do this but shingle color sun exposure and insulation are exponentially more important to overall energy efficiency than ventilation. These ventilation needs are calculated differently.

The building codes and building science for natural roof ventilation however only appeared in the 1940s. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. There are some styles of vaulted ceiling homes or flat roof homes that have ventilation spaces within the roof itself and no attic. This is called passive ventilation.

The hvac system and the roof. Wide x 8 ft. 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.

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.