I'm working on my large slate roof, which currently lacks proper ventilation aside from a single gable vent on the south side. The 3rd and 2nd floors get extremely hot, even with our 4-ton AC running all the time—my attic and eaves are often 50+ degrees warmer than it is outside! To help with the heat and airflow, I'm planning to install new roof vents while I'm having some roof and gutter work done. My attic floor space is about 1300 sqft, and I'm looking for advice on how many vent caps I should add. Here's the type of vent I'm considering: [link](https://www.roofingdirect.com/shop/rdp-copper-rooftop-exhaust-vent-cap-with-damper/?attribute_pa_size=6-in&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22017370313&gbraid=0AAAAACgs7s48uzCo9eJi6hOCbZUh0UonH). Can anyone give me some insights?
3 Answers
It's great that you’re considering ventilation! For your 1300 sqft attic, a common recommendation is about 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space, depending on your climate. You definitely need to balance that with soffit vents for proper airflow, so don’t skip them! Just make sure everything is clear of debris and working well.
You should probably look into your attic’s air sealing and insulation as well. Good air sealing will help keep the heat up there from trickling down—are you aware of how well it's sealed? Also, with R-16 insulation, you might want to check if that's enough for your area.
I haven't really looked into the air sealing; it might be something I'd need to check out! Do you have any tips on how to assess that?
Adding roof ventilation is definitely a smart move to reduce the heat buildup in your attic, but keep in mind that the type of vent you're looking at is more suited for bathrooms. You should consider using proper exhaust vents and definitely add soffit vents for air intake. It’s crucial for ventilation to work efficiently! Also, be cautious about the contractor you choose for slate roofing—getting someone with experience can save you from costly mistakes.
Thanks for the tip! I didn't realize the vents I was looking at weren't the best choice. I'll need to find out what type of exhaust vents would actually work for my slate roof.
That sounds like a lot of work! I’ll keep that in mind when planning out the installation. Thanks for the heads up!