Ventilation & Styles

The Importance of Proper Ventilation Air Exhaust Attic ventilation is the process of maintaining a steady, high volume of air movement through the attic. This unused section of the needs to be as cool and dry as possible 3 Foot Minimum throughout the year. During warm months, heat in can cause: n Peeling interior exterior paint n Roofing deterioration/leaks Air Intake Air Intake n Wood expanding and cracking n Energy loss: a hot attic heats the living areas below, The industry standard The recommended industry standard for proper attic which increases air conditioning usage ventilation is a 1/150 ratio: 1 sq. foot of ventilation for every In cold weather, -warmed air circulates through 150 sq. feet of attic space, which is divided 50/50 in order to the house, picking up water vapor generated by cooking, balance air intake (at your of soffits) and air exhaust bathing, and the washing of clothes and dishes. Humidifiers, (at or near your roof ridge). See above diagram. This ratio common in many to combat dry winter air, provide takes into account that today’s homes are built with – or an abundant and continual source of moisture that rises. remodeled with – more energy efficient materials (, Keep in mind also that the warmer the air is, the greater its insulation, , etc.) As a result, these homes are more capacity to hold moisture. airtight and therefore need more attic ventilation. During cold months, too much moisture in attics can cause: The insulation/ventilation connection n Mold, mildew, and wood rot Although efficient insulation that absorbs and holds heat n Damaged insulation than needs replacing increases the need for effective ventilation, insulation is a n Ice dams that can cause leaks and structural damage must during cold months. Overcoming this issue during n Infestation of carpenter ants, termites, and other pests warm months can be accomplished using an attic ventila- Ventilation is a necessary and important part of maintain- tion system that effectively compensates for the additional ing your , but improving ventilation conditions often heat produced from insulation. In short, effective attic can be achieved with low to moderate costs. ventilation also helps cool attic insulation. Determining the most effective system The style of roof on your home is one factor in determining The most common types of intake vents include: Under- the type of ventilation system that your home requires. For eave Vents and Continuous Soffit Vents, both of which are example, one of the most effective ventilation methods uses mounted in the soffit; Vented Drip Edge Vents, which are a ridge-and-soffit continuous ventilation system, but the used on homes without an eave area; and Mini-Louvers that design of this system can vary from roof to roof. There are are used in combination with other larger vents. The most a wide range of intake and exhaust components, allowing common types of exhaust vents include: Ridge Vents, Wind ventilation systems to be tailored to specific characteristics Turbines, Roof Louvers and Louvers. Some hip roofs of every home, but It is important to have a certified roof have limited horizontal areas, and may require a power fan specialist determine your home’s individual needs. with a humidistat for proper ventilation.

Gable Roof Cross Gabled Roof Roof This roof has sloping This roof contains inter- This roof contains sloping This roof contains sloping This roof is made up of planes of the same sections that allow each planes of the same pitch planes of the same pitch four slopes, two on each pitch on each side of portion of the home to on each of four sides, and on each side of the ridge, side of the home. The low- the ridge, with a gable have its own triangular does not have . with a gable at each er slope is a steeper, more vertical slope than the at each end. gabled roof. end. The Gambrel Roof is upper slope. The Mansard Dutch-inspired. Roof is French-inspired. Popham Construction n (812) 479-5850 n www.pophamconstruction.com