Best Practices Attic Ventilation

Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.

Best practices attic ventilation.

As discussed in best practices guide to residential construction chapter on best roofing practices. The international residential code irc provision for attic ventilation requires a ratio of one square foot of net free open ventilation area for every 150 to 300 square feet of attic square footage. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed. For both attics and cathedral ceilings roof ventilation works best when it is balanced between high and low to take advantage of natural convection figure 2 55 at left.

For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. Ridge soffit vents importance of balanced roof ventilation. Throughout the balance of this digest the terms attic and roof will and can be used interchangeably. Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans.

If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in.