Why Are Most Attics In Minnesota Vented

The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves.

Why are most attics in minnesota vented.

If you have a high pitched roof the vented attic system may make the most economic sense since there is less area to spray the foam. Many homes already have attic vents in place that can be used. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house. Why proper roof ventilation is important.

In other words the entire vent opening doesn t count as vented space. Inadequate venting in your attic causes all sorts of problems from wood rot to mildew peeling exterior paint rusty nails screws roofing problems and even energy loss. 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. How much ventilation does an attic need.

The starting point for any attic ventilation project is always what is the size of the attic space to be vented the international residential building code irc defines attic size in terms of its square footage length x width floor of the attic. Let s take a quick look at the pros and cons of the vented attic system. Disaster resistance roofs over unvented attics are less likely to be blown off in high winds because the wind cannot readily enter the attic. You re probably aware that most attics and roofs are vented.

If you walk down to your local lumberyard and lean on the counter the employees and nearby customers will offer a variety of opinions about why attics need to be vented. Moisture resistance the attic will stay dry avoiding problems with mold and wood rot and thus can serve as living or storage space. Most homeowners and builders believe that attics should be vented. Once a contractor knows the attic square footage the amount of necessary attic ventilation.

In order to facilitate this exchange of warm and cool air the general rule. Efficient especially if ductwork is in the attic rudd 2005. Venting ventilation home insulation contractors minnesota. That said air resistance and interference such as vent grates reduces the area of true ventilation.

Unfortunately it s highly unlikely that the statements you hear will be true. Maybe you ve seen a fan in the side of your attic under the eaves or maybe you re aware of the ridge cap at the peak of your roof. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture.

Roof vents and attic ventilation.