Regardless of whether the roof space is used as residential or technical, the organization of attic ventilation is prerequisite comfortable living in the house, maintaining the performance of individual elements of the building. Proper ventilation will prevent stagnation of air and an increase in humidity in the attic, thereby protecting the materials used in construction from destruction. Both natural and forced methods can be introduced here.

Attic ventilation

If the under-roof space is residential (attic), then the principle of ventilation can be used the same as in the case of technical rooms. It is necessary to organize a convective air flow in the attic, the direction of which can be traced from the eaves to the ridge. It is precisely the layer between the base of the roof and the insulation that can provide unhindered passage of air flows, while its width should be more than 5 cm. Attic ventilation in a private house consists in installing special ventilation grilles for the movement of air along the eaves. The insertion of the gratings is the filing of the cornice overhang, another option is the installation of roofing aerators, soffit strips.

When the attic is needed only as a technical room, it is advisable to improve natural ventilation, since there is a strong wind pressure on the roof line, which serves as a stimulus for the movement of air currents.

Most common in this case supply openings are located under the roof overhang along the perimeter of the room, and along the ridge, where there is a minimum pressure of air flows, exhaust openings are organized. For an outside observer, this design seems too simple, but its design still requires some experience.

Video review - attic ventilation

The location of the ventilation holes, their number and shape depend on the following factors:

• The volume of the attic space;
• Types of hydro and thermal insulation used in the construction;
• The intensity of the introduction of air flows from residential premises.

Frost, "destroyer" of the majority building materials, does not form if the roof cornice heats up quickly enough, that is, special attention must be paid to slotted air vents when bringing ventilation to the attic.

To ensure efficient and uninterrupted ventilation of the attic, it is necessary to accurately calculate the required area of ​​\u200b\u200bholes, the main indicator here will be the height of the slopes. For example, if the length of the rafters is 20 meters, the area of ​​​​the gaps for ventilation on the cornice overhang is about 400 sq. cm / m, if the length of the rafters is 7-10 meters - 200 sq. cm / m, respectively. The total area of ​​the supply openings must be less than the total area of ​​the exhaust openings.

If we take into account the errors inherent in the masonry, it can be observed that the dimensions of the calculated gaps eventually become larger compared to the real ones, therefore it is recommended to leave in advance the possibility of organizing holes whose dimensions exceed 5 cm.

All the above rules and calculations are applicable only for the organization standard attic ventilation. Currently popular architectural additions can change the intensity and characteristics of fresh air flows, therefore, for such buildings, either forced ventilation systems or the installation of deflectors above the exhaust openings to increase draft are optimal.

The need to insulate the attic to ensure a comfortable atmosphere in the house in winter is unlikely to be disputed by anyone. But for some reason, many people forget about ventilation in order to maintain a constant temperature regime. Meanwhile proper ventilation of the attic not only maintains the constancy of the microclimate, but also helps to increase the life of the roof, prevents the appearance of pockets of mold and fungus. Good ventilation is just as important as good thermal insulation.

Why is attic ventilation necessary?

Ventilation is an important design stage that allows you to control heat transfer. In summer, the roof heats up to 160 degrees, and burning air enters the house. But this is not the only cause for concern. In the cool period, condensation accumulates on the insulated floors, destroying the tree. Ventilation will help to avoid premature wear of the rafters.

The ventilation system is aimed at mixing the temperature of the external environment and the roof and prevents the appearance of ice, huge icicles and an “avalanche” during the melting of snow. As you can see, the issue of arranging a reliable air exchange system is really important.

How to make ventilation in the attic?

The attic can be cold and warm. The first option is traditional. In this case rafter system not protected in any way, since only the ceiling is insulated. The second is an echo of the Soviet period, pursuing a single goal - the protection of engineering communications.

Cold attic ventilation

Ventilation of cold attics should be adjustable. To do this, it is necessary not to close the crate and rafters. Alternatively, a lining with gaps can be used to ensure unhindered air circulation. If ondulin or slate is laid on the roof (in the absence of wind and vapor barrier films), you don’t have to worry - the air freely penetrates between the waves of the roof inside the attic and goes out.

It is important!
The metal tile is also ventilated, but it can form condensate, which means that the film flooring becomes mandatory.

If the roof is gable, then ventilation ducts located in the fronts. A fairly effective solution is a loosely fitting lining of wooden overhangs. The uniform distribution of narrow slots contributes to the effective ventilation of the entire attic.

However, if the junctions and lining are fitted tightly or the pediments are made of stone, then it is necessary to make holes in the walls. They should be on opposite sides, which will help eliminate stagnant foci.

It is important!
The total area of ​​ventilation ducts is calculated based on 0.2% of the total floor area.

There is more economical option- installation of standard ventilation grilles. One grid should be adjustable, the other should be turned with holes down. A mosquito net will protect against the penetration of insects.

For a hip roof, the arrangement of ventilation will take place according to a different scenario. The inlet is made from below (in the filing), and the exit from above, at the ridge. If the filing of overhangs is made of wood, then the bars can be placed not quite tightly, with an interval of several millimeters. When sewing with plastic, the individual components must have holes. Such panels are called spotlights.

But what if the filing is already assembled and assembled tightly? There is also a way out of this situation - the release of gratings with a mesh with a diameter of 5 cm. They are usually located along the length of the wind overhang in increments of 80 cm. To make holes, you will need a drill with a round drill. The top output is made from above. Please note that much will depend on the type of roof.

For a flexible roof, a valve (turtle) or a ventilated ridge is installed. For slate and euroslate - a classic fad. For ceramic tiles - a special valve. It is allowed to ventilate a metal tile with a standard ridge. It is worth noting that the skate is not only a financially profitable replacement for the valve, but also the ability to equip the ventilation system as soon as possible.

Some practice the installation of dormer windows (you can glaze, or you can put bars on them), but this task is difficult to implement and requires theoretical and practical training.

Warm attic ventilation

Natural circulation in heating systems is practically not used today. This means that when planning the conversion of the attic into a residential attic, the roof should be fully ventilated. For sheet metal and flexible tiles, it is necessary to equip a ventilated area - sew a counter-rail onto the rafters. For metal roofs, windproof films are preferred. For a slate roof, counter rails are optional, because air must flow freely from bottom to top. The entrance is done in the filing, and the exit is through the ridge.

The attic will be ventilated in the same way as other rooms. Air enters through windows (installation of VTK dampers is allowed), exits through ventilation openings. If they are not in the walls, then aerators (fungi) are installed on the roof (at the place of the hood).

Attic ventilation in the house: myths and facts

The problem of ventilation of the attic space has given rise to many myths. So, what facts do you need to know to ensure proper ventilation?

Myth #1. Warm air leaves the room through the ventilation ducts in winter. It is widely believed that ventilation in winter interferes with heating. However, it is unlikely that the point here is the presence of holes. If the house warms up for a long time and cools down quickly, then the problem is in the insulation, not in the ventilation. It is worth noting that poor-quality insulation always lets moist air into the attic, which creates favorable conditions for the occurrence of condensate and subsequent decay of wooden floors.

Myth #2. Ventilation is necessary only in the hot season. Many are convinced that the ventilation system is necessary only to ensure the ventilation of the building in the summer. Actually this is not true. Insufficient ventilation in winter is the reason for the growth of icicles, the appearance of mold and fungus.

Myth #3. The area of ​​the ventilation holes does not matter. And again a delusion. Relying on chance, placing the channels by eye, of course, is not worth it. The efficiency of such ventilation will be zero. The vents are arranged in a ratio of 1:500 (where for every 500 m2 there is 1 m2 of ventilation).

• the ventilation system must be durable and withstand any weather conditions;
• special attention should be paid to the holes on the ridge of the roof. By tradition, they should be as close to the ridge as possible;

• continuous spotlights can be installed under the cornices. They must be equipped with a thin shielding mesh. The holes must be made of plastic or aluminum, which eliminates the appearance of corrosion;
• one of the conditions effective ventilation- installation of air vents inside the attic (between the rafters). Openings must be arranged in such a way as to prevent blocking or clogging of air;
• choose a place for air handling unit thoroughly. This should be the cleanest area in the attic;
• put a fan on the outside of the roof that will draw air. The distance between supply system and the fan must be at least 8 meters;
• do not forget about installing a heat exchanger designed for heating and cooling air;
• dormer windows are not only practical, but also able to give the building a unique look;

• furnish ventilation pipes grilles or diffusers.

Now you know not just how to equip ventilation with your own hands, but how to do it right and avoid the most common mistakes. And this is the most important thing!

Ventilation of the under-roof space: video

A balanced microclimate under the roof is necessary condition long-term operation of the building. The roofing cake is replete with wooden parts, for which residual moisture is especially detrimental. high humidity, if not dealt with, it can cause the appearance of fungal infections on the roof crate, rotting and collapse of the truss structure.

Properly equipped attic ventilation in a private house will help get rid of the accumulation of water in the under-roof space. To solve the problem, the construction market offers aeration devices for attic spaces that promote efficient air exchange.

During construction, roofers, as a rule, lay 50-60 mm of free gap under the deck when installing the roof. The optimal distance is equal to the width of the battens. If the roofing materials are solid, such as corrugated board or metal tiles, air can freely enter the building and under the roof. Air currents cool the roof, which is important for bituminous formulations.

For soft roof another method is effective - small gaps are left in the crate. Penetrating the entire roof, they serve as channels for the passage of air into the room. In difficult parts of the roof, spot ventilation is done or additional turbines are installed for aeration.

For a cold attic

Attic equipment requires considerable investment and labor, so most pitched roofs have a cold attic type. The air temperature in it is much lower than in the residential parts of the building. Therefore, a spacious intermediate zone makes it easy to solve the issue of ventilation.

the roof in this case consists of the following elements:

• cover layer;
• External walls (in the case of pitched roofs with gables);
• Insulation in the form of an overlap between the walls and the attic space.

Ventilation of the cold attic is provided by holes in the eaves and ridge of the roof. Through the cornice there is an influx of air, through the ridge - an extract. Dormer ventilation windows can be located on opposite slopes or stone gables of the roof. Thus, all areas are ventilated equally. Regulate the strength of ventilation with built-in blinds.

Dormitory windows are in the form of quadrangles, triangular and in the form of a semicircle. The bottom of the window is located at a height of no more than a meter from the ceiling on the floor of the compartment, and the top should not exceed 1.9 m.

The ventilation window in the attic prevents condensation from accumulating on the roofing pie. It can also be used as access to the roof to inspect the elements of the system and the chimney. A popular solution is to install perforated soffits on the eaves of the roof. Soffits perform two functions - they allow air to flow freely under the roof, while preventing insects from flying into the building.

For a warm attic

Traditionally, the attic is made cold, warm is mounted if they plan to use it in the future as a residential attic. The main task is to remove vapors and excess moisture, leading to the loss of the properties of the internal insulation. Her solution lies in the arrangement of a ventilated roof.

For solid roofs made of sheet metal, tiles and slate, a ventilated space is made without fail.

A warm attic in a building structure is usually designed for the entire upper floor above the living space. Unlike a cold counterpart, the room is sealed, has fences from the outside. Stagnant air from the building is drawn out into the street through channels on the roof ridge. Fresh air is blown through the windows. For the winter they are insulated, protecting them from ice and icicles.

As an element of the ventilation system, a warm attic appeared in the late 70s. The use of the attic has become relevant, mainly for multi-storey buildings. A warm attic has the following advantages over a cold attic:

• Provides the proper temperature level on the ceiling of the upper residential floor of the building. At the same time, the rafter space of the roof is also insulated;
• Reduces aerodynamic resistance when air is released from the ventilation system in a natural way;
• Reduces heat loss and the risk of water leakage.

How to avoid mistakes when creating ventilation?

There are a number of misconceptions about attic ventilation. It is usually assumed that:

1. It is necessary to ventilate the attic in the summer, in the heat, to avoid overheating of the roof. In fact, in winter, the ventilation system is needed no less, since water and snow cause fungus and mold to appear, and ice to freeze.
2. An air-blown attic interferes with the preservation of heat in the house. In fact, it does not interfere, it all depends on the thermal insulation. At the same time, a high-quality ventilation system does not allow cold and humid air to linger in the attic.
3. The dimensions of the air vents in the attic can be chosen arbitrarily. On the contrary, dimensions are important, since the efficiency of the process depends entirely on compliance with correct proportion. At 500 square meters The roof should have one meter of ventilation holes.

According to the recommendations of experts, the owner of the house chooses in advance what type of attic space will be in the building - warm or cold. For construction, it is important to properly design the ventilation system in order to achieve effective ventilation of the room.

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Attic ventilation: an overview of current schemes and ways to implement them

Are you planning to use the attic space as a living space, but do not know how to make it comfortable? I'll talk about how attic ventilation works. With a competent device for replacing stale air with fresh air, you can make the attic suitable for all-season comfortable living. In addition, the instructions for installing ventilation systems will be useful to you, even if the attic in a private house is not supposed to be used as housing.

Four reasons to ventilate attics

1. The comfort of living in the attic. Clean fresh air is one of the main conditions for comfortable living indoors. Therefore, if the room under the roof is used for living, you need to take care of normal air exchange at the design stage of the roof.
2. No condensation. Efficient air exchange helps prevent condensation on the windows, which is important if the under-roof space is used as an attic.
3. No mold. Timely replacement of warm moist air with fresh air prevents the appearance of mold on building surfaces. That is, if the air does not stagnate in the attic, mold will not appear in the corners, regardless of what materials the decoration is made of.
4. Long roof life. Excessive air humidity has a detrimental effect on the condition of the roofing material. Moreover, if moist air is not removed from under the roof, condensate will accumulate on the vapor barrier, which can reduce the life of the insulation. A properly organized ventilation system will increase the life of the roof without the need for repairs.

Attic ventilation, what it is

Illustrations	Varieties by type of attic space
	Cold space ventilation. The installation of ventilation systems on cold roofs does not pose any problems, since the under-roof space and the living room are separated from each other by a layer of thermal insulation. The best option is a supply and exhaust system that works according to a natural principle, as shown in the diagram. Under the overhangs of the roof rafters, air ducts are arranged through which fresh cold air is supplied, while warmer moist air will go into dormer windows or other technological openings in the upper part of the pediment or slope.
	Ventilation of insulated space. In this case, everything is somewhat more complicated than when arranging an unheated attic. In a warm attic, you will have to ventilate not only the attic space itself, but also roofing cake, as shown in the diagram. Preferred option when using modern roofing materials- This is a counter-lattice device with ventilation gaps. At the same time, air exchange in the insulated attic space is arranged separately, by means of a supply and exhaust system.

Keep in mind that attic ventilation must be planned and built as a complete system. That is, the project must provide for an air exchange system both in the attic and in the under-roof space, as well as pipe insulation and insulation of other communications. In addition, the design of ventilation should be carried out taking into account the type of thermal insulation materials used.

Types of attic ventilation

Illustrations	Description
	Natural supply and exhaust system. At the heart of such a system, two air vents are used, one of which is installed in the upper part of the attic wall, and the other in the lower part. In the cold season, warm air exits through the upper vent, while it is replaced by a similar volume of cold air from the lower vent. The disadvantage of the system is excessive dependence on the temperature outside the house. That is, in the warm season, ventilation will be weak.
	Forced supply and exhaust system. At the heart of such a system, an exhaust cooler is used, which is installed in the upper part of the slope and sucks warm air out. The air withdrawn in this way is replaced by cold incoming air from the vents located below. Advantage compulsory system in that it does not depend on climatic conditions: the exhaust air will be removed with the same efficiency both in winter and in summer.

Methods for venting air outside

Illustrations	Description
	Air outlet through the ridge. This is a universal method that can be used on both cold and insulated roofs. Under the ridge bar on a cake made of corrugated board or metal tiles, do-it-yourself air is arranged, covered with a net. The device of the air is such that the condensate formed during the cold season will not drain into the room, but will flow onto the slope.
	Branches on the pediment. A dormer window installed in the upper part of the gable is a traditional solution that is relevant for a gable, broken and hip roof. Dormer windows are installed for air exchange only on cold unused roofs. The peculiarity of the solution is that the windows are constantly open, regardless of the season. In order to prevent the entry of animals and birds, decorative grilles are installed over the windows.
	The device of vents on the pediment of the attic. In fact, gable ventilation grilles are the same vents that are used to remove moist air from any operated premises. From the inside, a decorative grille with swivel slats is installed or check valve if a fan is used for air exchange.
	aerators in roof slopes . Aerators are mainly used on modern roofs and are designed to remove exhaust air from under the attic ceiling. The advantage of special aerators over a conventional pipe embedded in the roof is a special design that prevents the formation and penetration of condensate into the room.
	Supply valve on the attic windows. Since the attic is being built without dormer windows, it is advisable to install a supply valve on ordinary windows, which will be dosed to let in required amount air from outside. On sale there are valves with manual and automated control.

Methods for arranging air vents

Illustrations	Description
	Soffit installation. Barrier grilles are attached to the lower part of the overhang to supply fresh air. You can set the intensity of fresh air supply by the ratio of the number of perforated and solid strips. The more ventilation holes in the installed spotlights, the more cold air will pass into the under-roof space.
	Installation of curtain rods. In fact, these are the same spotlights through which cold air enters under the roof. But in this case, the air vents are installed vertically, and therefore a cornice strip is attached over them with a small gap. With the right device, the eaves air in winter serves not only for ventilation, but also for removing condensate.

How to calculate air exchange

Illustrations	Description
	For cold roof. According to SNiP 31-01-2003, in basements and cold attics without an exhaust hood, air vents or dormer windows should be used. The total area of ​​the vents should be calculated as 1/400 of the floor area of ​​the room. Based on these recommendations, it is easy to measure the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and calculate the size of the opening for air exchange. In large attics, the resulting airflow dimensions can be divided in two and two small windows can be spaced along two gables.
	For insulated roof (attic). The air exchange rates for an insulated roof are calculated in the same way as for ordinary residential premises, namely, taking into account the number of people at the same time and taking into account the volume of the room.

No one is surprised at the need for mandatory insulation of the attic space to create a comfortable microclimate in the home. Many do not even think about the installation of a proper ventilation system in this room. But high-quality ventilation of the attic helps to maintain a microclimate there, prevents the occurrence of fungi, rot, and increases the life of the roof structure. Properly calculated and thought out is no less important than competent vapor and thermal insulation.

Attic ventilation ensures the mixing and equalization of the temperatures of the roof structure and the external environment. It prevents the formation of ice during the melting of the snow cover, the gathering of "avalanches" and the appearance of large icicles. The arrangement of a high-quality air exchange system is actually extremely important.

Attic space: ventilation

Roof rotted due to poor ventilation in the attic

AT different buildings there are different types attics: they have various purpose, respectively, their arrangement and . According to the main feature, attics are divided into two main types - warm and cold. The last type is more traditional. In such a case, the system is not protected in any way, since only the ceiling is insulated. Another type has only one important goal - to properly protect engineering.

Cold attic: ventilation device

In the cold room of the attic, an adjustable one must be present. To equip it, leave it open and. A good alternative is a special lining with gaps that allows air to circulate freely. If, however, or are used as a roofing, and there are no vapor and wind insulation films, in this case, you don’t have to worry about a special ventilation device in the attic.

Roof space ventilation device

Between the individual waves of the roof, the air without interference penetrates into the space under the roof and exits.

It is also able to ventilate on its own, but it can cause condensation, so the use of an insulating film in this case is mandatory.

At the ventilation ducts are located in the gables. Loosely located sewing overhangs can be quite an effective way to solve the problem.

Narrow slots, evenly distributed, will favor high-quality ventilation of the entire attic space.

But if the lining adjoins too tightly, or in the case when the gables are made of stone, holes will have to be made in the walls. It would be rational to place them on opposite sides, thereby ensuring the exclusion of pockets of stagnation. The total S (area) of the ventilation ducts should be 0.2% of the area of ​​the entire floor.

Ventilation grille for the roof of the house

There is another option that allows you to save money. It involves the installation of standard gratings for, one of which is adjustable, the other is directed downward with its holes. A mosquito net will protect them from insects.

If we are dealing with, then the ventilation device will be made differently. Below, in the filing, an inlet is made, and on top, at the ridge, there is an exit. In the case when the filing of the overhangs is made of wood, the bars do not have to be placed tightly, there may be a gap of several millimeters between them. If the stitching was carried out using plastic, then there should be holes in all components. Such panels are called spotlights.

A situation is possible when the binder is assembled quite tightly. How to be in that case? For this, special gratings equipped with a mesh are produced. They have a diameter of five centimeters: they are placed every 0.8 meters, along the entire length of the wind overhang. To make holes, use a drill with a suitable (round) drill. The upper conclusion is made from above.

How is the ventilated ridge on the roof of the house

In general, the types of ventilation largely depend on the type of roof. For example, a classic skate is suitable for and euroslate. In an elastic flexible roof, a ventilated ridge or turtle is successfully used. Also, a special valve is used for ceramic tiles.

Perfectly ventilated with a standard ridge. I must say that the ridge is not just an economically beneficial replacement for the valve. This is also great way acquire ventilation system in the minimum time.

Sometimes special hearing rooms are used, with bars or glazed, but their arrangement is a rather difficult task, which requires theoretical knowledge and practical skill.

Warm attic: ventilation

In modern heating systems natural circulation does not actually apply. In other words, if you plan to turn the attic into, the roof must be made entirely ventilated. For a roof made of flexible tiles or sheet material, you will have to equip a special ventilated area: a counter-rail is sewn onto the rafters.

For roofs with a metal coating, it is desirable to use a windproof film.. A slate roof can do without a counter-rail, since air must flow freely from the bottom up. An entrance is arranged in the filing, the exit to the outside occurs through the ridge.

The attic should be ventilated in the same way as other rooms. Air enters through the windows (possibly the installation of VTK valves), and leaves the house through the ventilation openings. If they are absent in the walls, then fungi (aerators) are made at the place of the hood, on the roof.

Attic ventilation in the house: truth and fiction

Questions relating to high-quality ventilation of the attic space are overgrown with rumors and speculation. Which facts about proper ventilation are true and which are not?

Does heat escape through the attic of a private house

• Is it true that warm air escapes from the house through the ventilation ducts in winter? There is an opinion that the operation of ventilation in the cold season only interferes with the heating of the home. In fact, it is unlikely that the holes are the cause. In the case when the dwelling heats up for a long time and then quickly cools down, it is not the ventilation that is to blame, but the insulation. I must say that not too high-quality insulation is able to pass moist air into the attic. The consequence of this phenomenon is often the formation of drops of condensate, causing, in turn, damage and decay of wood.
• Is it true that ventilation is only required during hot weather? There is a belief that the work of ventilation is necessary only in summer, with a strong increase in temperature. In reality, this is not so. If you do not carry out ventilation measures in winter, this is fraught with the formation of icicles, the development of fungi and.
• Is it true that the size of the ventilation holes does not matter? This is also a delusion. You should not equip the channels "by eye", since it is likely that the efficiency of such a system will tend to zero. Airflow should be related to floors as one to five hundred.