Regardless of what type of ventilation your loft has or what type you intend to add it’s important to make sure that you have good cross ventilation. A dry ridge vent system is mandatory for all new roof installations in the UK. They are installed without the use of mortar. A mortar is a wet ridge used to support this type of vent. Felt Lap Vents are considered by many as the most popular and easy-to-fit products available on the market today. Inserted on the inside of the roof, they are a DIY product that can be easily and cheaply installed. They are extremely effective at treating condensation problems in attics and lofts. Manthorpe and Easy Vents for Lofts are widely considered to be the best on the market. Manthorpe Felt Lap Vent. He adds: “This varies for the type of roof your property has, warm roofs and cold roofs require different forms ofventilationdue to how the insulation is positioned. Warm roofs have insulation positioned close to the rafters so these are usually spaces that are inhabited, these types of roof require 25mm eaveventilationand a 5mm ridge vent at the top of the roof. Side view on a felt lap vent separating the roofing felt to increase air flow – Image courtesy of Manthorpe

Daniel Woodley wrote this guide to lap vents. Daniel is a qualified landscape gardener and has many years of experience in this field and also in construction. He worked for many years as a roofing contractor and has installed many types of loft vents to cure condensation. Condensation is a common side effect of installing modern loft installation. Loft insulation has many benefits: increased energy efficiency, reduced utility bills and a more comfortable environment within the home. These advantages are well-documented and can even add value to your property as well as saving on annual energy costs. These forms of roof ventilation are used along the roofline to improve airflow and ventilation. By drawing the warm air out, they help to prevent condensation from building up in the loft space. An affordable option for homeowners that come in a wide range of styles, materials and finishes to suit your property. Installing them does take a little work, so it’s best to do this when you’re already undertaking a roofing project, unless fixing the condensation issue is urgent. Ideally, you will want to have a perfect balance. So, try to consider what is needed and what might help further in specific weather. Here is how to calculate the number of roof vents needed for your roof: These measures may be great for reducing the running costs of our house and helping it stay warmer for longer. However all this extra insulation means the loft area (above the insulation) is now cooler as the heat is trapped in the rooms below.In conclusion, we hope this article has helped you to learn more about the causes and prevention of condensation in lofts and attics. If this is a problem your home suffers from, please don’t delay getting it fixed. As stated, not only can condensation cause significant structural damage, particularly to timber elements in your home, but it can also be hazardous to health. If you want to install soffit vents in the home, you can do so by following these steps: 1. Cut the vent holes

In the past our homes were poorly insulated and pretty draughty. So water vapour rarely got a chance to build up inside as it was replaced by fresh air coming in via these draughts. Meaning it was removed before it got a chance to create any problems. This guide is intended to help you better understand the ventilation of your home. This guide does not replace the manufacturer’s instructions for ventilation systems, which should always be followed. Section 2: What is ventilation for?A correctly installed vapour barrier can stop moisture from getting into the loft in the first place, but I know from experience that they are difficult and costly to retrofit into an existing home and are best suited to new builds, extensions and major renovations. Loft ventilation comes in many forms but the most common in the UK and Ireland are eaves vents and tile vents. The main types as as follows:

Vented roofs allow heat to escape the space with ease. This can, in turn, reduce the need for solutions like air conditioning to lower bills. The life of the roof is extended If you are suffering from condensation in your loft it will be a “cold roof”. This is the most common type of roof with a loft or attic.Condensation forms in colder conditions, and it could be that you only entered the loft when it was warm, and none was present. One issue that can arise is “ice damming”. Many homeowners and professionals who are familiar with these lofts issues know of this problem. It can be hard to tell if it’s condensation or the roof is leaking, particularly as it can be astounding how much moisture can condense in the right (or should we say, wrong) conditions. Also, if you add extra insulation to your loft, the warmth will stay trapped in the home below, meaning the felt and timbers in the loft will be colder. The colder the surfaces in the loft, the more condensation will form. The nails should be centred between rafters 18 inches from the peak of the roof. Nails should be driven up through the sheathing and shingles as this will then mark roof air vent locations. 2. Cut roof vent shingles

If you’ve got condensation issues in your loft it’s now relatively easy to resolve by adding additional loft ventilation. Please don’t ignore any issues you may have as they’ll only get worse (and more expensive to fix) the longer you leave them.In this project we will look at dealing with condensation that is occurring in your loft space. In the worse case scenario this can cause the roof timbers to rot, but typically it will make the loft space smell musty and mould and be unusable for storage, which is very frustrating. We have a project on how to lay loft boards to make storage in your loft here. Condensation and Ventilation in Loft or Attic Spaces Baffles can be stapled into the areas between rafters this will help the air that comes through the vents to easily flow past the insulation. It’s a good idea to place the same number of soffit vents on either side of the space while ensuring to avoid placing any vents over the framing (lookout for nails and seams that indicate their presence). You can use a cardboard template 1 inch smaller than the vent to help create accurate cutting lines. If you don’t have soffits in your property it is still possible to ventilate your loft by installing vents near the lower edge of the roof which will create a similar effect. Tools you’ll need for a roof ventilation installation project If your loft space is already insulated, ensure it has not been damaged by moisture, pests, or other issues. If it has been, it should be replaced with modern, breathable loft insulation along with a vapour barrier to further protect against moisture ingress and condensation.