How to Vent a Barrel Roof

Barrel roofs, which are more commonly found on commercial buildings, are seen occasionally on residential structures. All roofs require ventilation, regardless of what roof type is used. According to local city codes, hot air must be vented out of buildings. This prevents the over use of air conditioners in summer and heaters in winter. This article will discuss how to vent a barrel roof.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal roof jacks
• 30-pound felt
• Roofing nails
• Nail gun

Vent a Barrel Roof

1. Vent your barrel roof on top of the roof decking when constructing the building. Place the metal vent to one side or the other of the roof-top angle.

2. Place the 30-pound felt, or roofing paper, on top of the top edge of the roof vent, and underneath the bottom edge. This prevents water from getting underneath the vent.

3. Determine the number of roof vents needed on your building by checking local building codes. The codes discuss how many vents per cubic feet of air is needed in a building.

4. Install electrical fans on barrel roof vents that suck hot air out quicker and provide adequate circulation. Ventilation fans are recommended in buildings that do not have air-conditioning.

5. Enhance your barrel roof ventilation fan by adding a controlled thermostat. Set the temperature so the attic fan comes on automatically. When the building cools down, the fan will shut off.

Tips & Warnings

• Lots of smaller vents spread around a roof sometimes works better than just a few larger ones. Smaller holes are easier to shield in storms, and air circulation is greater in any wind direction.
• Try not to put a large vent on a gable end. This can act as a vacuum for sucking in air and debris.