A very important part of your home is proper attic ventilation. Its vital to keep a constant air flow revolving through your attic space, in from the soffits and out through the roof ventilation. There are several different types of roof ventilation and we are going to discuss a couple different options available for your roof.
GAF RT65 ROOF VENTS. This style of roof vent is the most commonly used in Southwestern Ontario. Multiple holes are cut at the top of the roof (typical 10″x10″) and this allows all the attic air to escape, while the soffits pull in fresh air from below. This system keeps a constant flow of fresh air moving through your attic space. let’s look at how many RT65 you should install in your roof depending on the size of your home.
- 1000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 5 roof vents.
- 1500 sq. ft. attic floor space = 8 roof vents.
- 2000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 10 roof vents.
- 2500 sq. ft. attic floor space = 12 roof vents.
- 3000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 15 roof vents.
This is a good way to start calculating if you have sufficient enough ventilation in your attic space. It’s important to keep air flow in your attic for good reason. In the summer months, hot air in your attic will increase cooling cost, and create hotter temperatures inside your home. In the winter months poor air flow can result in condensation build up. If your unsure about your attic ventilation give us a call today for a consultation at 519-207-2995.
GAF COBRA RIDGE VENTING. This style of attic ventilation is installed along all the ridges of your roof. A 3″ cut along the ridge allows for a gap for air to escape. The shingle capping is nail over top of the ridge vent leaving the side vents exposed for air flow. This functions much like the traditional roof vent where a 10″x10″ hole is cut, except you create more sq’ of air to escape, and its at the highest point of the roof. Heat rises, so creating your ventilation at the very peak will always be the most efficient. That being said this form of ventilation is not as effective in winter months if the ridge vent gets covered in snow. As well this form of ventilation only works on homes that have enough ridges to provide adequate ventilation.
A good rule of thumb to determine whether or not you have enough ridges to instal ridge venting is a minimum of 1 sq. ft. of open ridge ventilation per 300 sq. ft. of attic floor space. Here is a good chart to determine this calculation.
- 1000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 17 ft. GAF Cobra Ridge Venting
- 1500 sq. ft. attic floor space = 25 ft. GAF Cobra Ridge Venting
- 2000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 34 ft. GAF Cobra Ridge Venting
- 2500 sq. ft. attic floor space = 40 ft. GAF Cobra Ridge Venting
- 3000 sq. ft. attic floor space = 45 ft. GAF Cobra Ridge Venting
If you would like more information about your attic ventilation or have concerns your attic is not properly ventilated give us a call today and let us help, 519-207-2995.
Jenkins Roofing Group is a roofing compnay servicing Southwestern Ontario. We are GAF Certified and a proud member of the Better Business Bureau.
