Venting for Barrel Roofs

Barrel roofs are commonly found on commercial buildings. Rarely will you find one on a home, but occasionally a residence will have a barrel roof. Ventilation is essential no matter what type of roof is installed. Vents allow the air to circulate out of the attic. Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up, causing mildew and rot. Proper ventilation means less use of air conditioners in the summer and less use of heaters in the winter.

Things You'll Need

• Metal roof vents Thermostat-controlled fan 30-pound felt Roofing nails Nail gun

Instructions

1. Place a metal vent on one side or the other of the rooftop angle. Barrel roofs are rounded, so there isn't a so-called side. Choose a place near the top and back so it is hidden from the street.

2. Purchase 30-pound felt for your roofing paper. Lay it out over the top edge of the roof vent and underneath the bottom edge. The goal is to prevent any water from getting under the vent and into the attic.

3. Check with your city to find out how many roof vents are needed per cubic feet of air. Once you establish how large your attic space is, you can determine how many vents you need to install.

4. Install electrical power vents over your roof vents to provide additional ventilation. These fans circulate the attic air faster, sucking out hot air. Electrical fans are recommended on buildings built without air conditioning.

5. Hook up an automatic power fan thermostat to enhance the ventilation of your barrel roof. Set the temperature of the thermostat to go on when the air gets too hot and to shut off when the air cools down.

Tips & Warnings

• For best ventilation results, make sure your barrel roof has intake vents under the eaves, as well as exhaust vents so air can escape. Without proper intake ventilation, the air won't circulate adequately.

• Barrel roofs don't require vents on gable ends. These vents serve as a vacuum, sucking in bad air, leaves and other debris.