Use this guide to learn why you need attic venting and how to improve it.

From this position, air enters the attic through the intake vents.

The attic ventilation system should also have exhaust vents located near the peak of the roof.

Attic Ventilation

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These vents allow hot air to escape the attic as it rises to the peak of the roof.

What Is an Ice Dam?

Anice damis a large mass of ice that builds on the edge of a roof.

When the attic or roof heats up, the ice or snow on the roof melts.

Venting With Soffits

One of the most common intake vent options is soffit venting.

Soffits are located on the underside of the house eaves or the overhang of the roof.

These vents have a long, thin appearance, that is made to blend in with the surroundingshingles.

The most common exhaust vents areridge vents, static vents, turbine vents, and powered vents.

Instead, plan on ventilating the finished attic space with rafter venting.

The air flows through the rafter vents to the peak of the roof.

Install a ridge vent along the roof peak so that the air has somewhere to exit the attic space.

If the ceiling feels warm, it indicates that the attic is storing warm air.

Rafter vents ensure that there is a clear channel for outside air to enter the attic through the soffits.

Do not block attic vents in winter.

The vents are intended to allow cold air into the attic, reducing the temperature of the roof.

Especially hard driving rain that is whipped about by heavy winds can enter the roof vents.

2018 international residential code (Irc) | icc digital codes.