Venting A Victorian Attic For Living Space

Warm air that escapes living space also carries moisture that will condense on rafters or roof sheathing.

Venting a victorian attic for living space.

One reason for the lack of agreement over attic ventilation is the tremendous variation in climate across north america. However this is not a project for the average diy person as there are many specifications to be met. No matter what ventilation system you go with make sure there s one square foot of venting area for every 300 square feet of floor space. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space.

With full home additions costing 75 000 minimum and usually far higher many homeowners search for creative ways to increase living space without overly decreasing their bank account. One way is by working within the home s existing footprint and converting the attic into living space. The amount of moisture removed via attic ventilation in cold climates in winter is limited as cold air has little moisture carrying capacity. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.

If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. For instance attic ventilation is used widely in cold climates to evacuate the warm moist air that escapes from the living space below. Rarely will you find a building practice that works everywhere. As it states on every 300 sq.

2 a well sealed ceiling air barrier and vapor retarder. This will help keep the hot attic air from heating your living space. When the attic becomes part of the home to be heated and cooled open wall gable vents and. If you require an extra room and don t want to move house one answer is to convert attic space to living space.

The federal housing administration recommends 1 square foot of attic ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic space. Install attic insulation with an r factor of at least 19. With square foot living space at a premium many homeowners turn to their attics for a little extra room. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves.

So ridge vents or static vents with soffett vents are best not the combination of soffett and gable and ridge vents is recommended. Ft of attic ventilation. Humidity in the living space during winter. Cost building requirements.

Ft of ceiling space would need is 1 sq. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. However the degree to which a reduction in.