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.
Venting a roof without attic.
But before you cut any holes plan the locations of the attic vents.
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.
The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available.
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.
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.
Vent the roof deck.
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.
Without baffles blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all.
Soffit vents are one of the most popular intake vent styles.
Continuous or individual soffits.
Cool air enters the attic through soffit vents in the eaves.
Photos 1 6 show how it s done.
This is easy to accomplish in simply.
Conforms to federal specification qq.
Adding attic vents is a simple matter of cutting holes and installing vents.
Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your 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.
A balanced ventilation system 50 intake ventilation combined with 50 exhaust ventilation can also lower utility bills.
Mark the roof venting locations from the attic where you can see the rafters and avoid placing roofing vents over them.
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.
How to vent an attic without eaves.