How do I properly venilate the new roof?
Rose_Ann
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
Because of the design of my house and roof, I cannot have soffit ventilation installed around the entire perimeter of the roof (only on three sides). I currently have two gable vents on each side of the attic/roof. The house is nearly 50 years old. I am about to have a new roof installed. Should I install ridge vents even though I can completely instlal soffit vents? If I enstall ridge vents, what should I do with the gable? Should I simply continue with something that has worked for nearly 50 years, i.e, two gable vents?
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Replies
Rosemarie,
You haven't told us much about your roof configuration. You also haven't told us your climate zone or location, which is always useful information to know.
If your ceilings are all flat (horizontal, not sloped), and you have an attic with insulation on the attic floor, don't worry.
If some of your ceilings are sloped, or if your house has some cathedral ceiling areas (as is typical in a Cape Cod house), then it would be useful to know that, because if affects the answer to your question.
Assuming that you have horizontal ceilings and a conventional attic with insulation on the attic floor, I don't think that you have to worry or change the configuration of your existing vents. Adding a ridge vent wouldn't cause any problems, however, unless your ceiling is leaky. Performing air sealing work at the ceiling level (your attic floor) is always a good idea.
For more information on these issues, see these two articles:
All About Attic Venting
Air Sealing an Attic