If you’ve got a roof over your latest building project, chances are you’ve also given some thought to roof venting. It’s one of the more confusing aspects of home building and remodeling, and even with a large amount of information available, it perplexes builders and homeowners alike.

You’ll first need to consider whether or not your house’s roof needs ventilation. If it does, you’ll have to decide what type of vents will work best and how to properly install them. The option you choose will be contingent on factors such as the type of roof you’re working with and the local climate. This comprehensive collection of articles and videos on roof venting will help you throughout every step of the process, whether you’re still weighing the options or are beginning installation.

 

• 1
  
  How-To

  A Crash Course in Roof Venting

  Building scientist Joseph Lstiburek explains when to vent your roof, when not to, and how to execute each common roof-venting approach successfully.

• 2
  
  How-To

  Roof Venting Done Right

  I live in New England where ice dams are a common problem, which is to say improper roof venting is a common problem. Roof-wrecking ice dams aren't the only reason…

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  How-To

  Three Reasons We Vented the FHB House Roof

  In places where it snows, a vented roof usually makes sense. Rhode Island, where the FHB House is being built, is just such a place. The alternative to a vented…

• 4
  
  How-To

  Retrofit Intake Vents

  Bring in fresh air through venting drip edge.

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  How-To

  Adequate Roof Venting

  Q: I am having the shingles replaced on the roof of my ranch-style house. The roofer is concerned about attic ventilation and recommends installing a ridge vent and closing off…

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  Does a Roof Need a Ridge Vent?

  Gable vents, ridge vents, and more.

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  Roof Venting Doesn’t Affect Cooling Loads

  Can you measure cooling energy savings that might be attributed to the existence of a ventilation channel? Nope.

• 8
  
  Member-Only How-To

  Roof Vent Retrofit From the Outside In

  Reroofing is the perfect time to lift the hood and make short work of an otherwise awkward venting job

• 9
  
  Member-Only How-To

  Venting a Tricky Old Roof

  Retrofitting undershingle intake and ridge vents helped to cool and dry this 120-year-old attic.

• 10
  
  Member-Only How-To

  Venting a Traditional Eave

  On a shingle-style house, aluminum soffit vents just won't do.

• 11
  
  How-To

  Attic-Ventilation Strategies

  Except in some specific cases, building codes and shingle warranties require new roofs to be vented. If you’re building a house with an unconditioned vented attic, the necessary attic-ventilation details…

• 12
  

  Podcast Episode 73 — Ridge Venting and Insulating Rim Joists

  Dealing with sub-contractors and LBM suppliers who disappoint. And your ideal work set-up vehicle.

• 13
  
  How-To

  Does a roof always need to be vented?

  Q: Our house will have cathedral ceilings. Is an airspace between the insulation and roof sheathing necessary? I am concerned about a loss in energy efficiency if there is no…

• 14
  
  Member-Only How-To

  Venting the Roof

  With today's construction methods, the minimum code requirements may not be enough.

• 15
  
  How-To

  How to Find the Pitch of an Existing Roof

  If you need to find the pitch of an existing roof all you need is a level and a tape measure.