Too Much Roof Ventilation

Dangers of too much ventilation.

Too much roof ventilation.

Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents. Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge. Attic ventilation keeps the air moving and stops mold from growing but too much ventilation can be just as bad as having none. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents.

If a roofing contractor is going to be out of balance with the attic ventilation system it s better to have too much intake than too much exhaust because the excess intake converts to exhaust on the leeward side of the house. Then you can begin choosing the style and type of roof vents you want for your home. 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. Homeowners can choose from a variety of shapes and colors that closely match their shingles so that the vents won t appear too out of place on the roof.

Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. The two main dangers associated with too much ventilation involve roof damage and increased utility bills. Watch to find out how much ventilation your roof needs to keep air flowing and stop mold before it starts.

Vents come in various styles. To keep air flowing your roof needs just the right amount of attic ventilation. Enter square footage calculate or enter the square footage of the attic or area to be vented. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.

2 focusing only on heat buildup. Roof vents create an additional roof penetration essentially another place of vulnerability where leaks can occur. It s important to remember that it s better to have too much intake ventilation than too little and many homes often undercalculate the amount of intake needed so worry less about having too much intake and err on the side of having more. Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed.

Federal housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation evenly split between intake and exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. One static vent style is the turbine vent.