Improving Roof Void Ventilation

[Manny]

Something that turned up on my survey when we bought our place was that the ventilation needed to be increased in the loft(s).

It's typical roof construction: rafters, purlins, two pitches, interlocking tiles, soffit and fascia, etc.

I need to put some more insulation down in the loft and I thought I'd look at doing this while I was up there.

The question is, are there any neat little tricks I can use to do this easily, without too much cost/messing around? I know that cutting soffit vents is out of the question, I dare say that replacing some tiles with ones with little vents in won't be allowed.

 

[Mark]

I wouldnt automatically assume you couldnt put a couple of vent tiles in. Its hardly major structural alteration. esp if you keep the old tiles and put the vents on the non-road side.

Is there any sign of condensation ?
Is the roof felted and/or torched?
What are the ridge tiles like and how thick a mortar bed are they on?

 

[Mr.C]

I notice you say 2 pitches - is there, therefore, a gable each end?

... if so you may think about air bricks in each gable.

 

[tony]

if you have a wooden soffit, most builers merchants sell circular vents that come with a insect screen.

fitting is a doddle, drilling a suitable sized hole with a hole saw and pushing vent into hole, vent has grips at the side, so ensure a tight fit is maintained.

available in different colours

regards


tony

 

[MdB]

Somebody recently posted on here (sorry can't find it quickly) a link to a company that produces a vent which creates a pocket between the tiles and the roofing felt. Looked an easy DIY solution to fit. Maybe the person who linked before can do so again as I can't remember the name of the company.

 

[Mark]

I have some short lengths of plastic electrical conduit pushed down between the layers of felt, opens it up a little and is probably a lot cheaper than a dedicated solution.

Is that the sort of thing you mean ?

 

[Bus Godden]

Poking something down between the overlaying seams of underlay to open up a gap is not really recommended, it exposes a building to all sorts of risks.

Google for ‘Lapvent’ - if you scroll about on that site you will find a lot of information there.

 

[MdB]

Google for ‘Lapvent’ - if you scroll about on that site you will find a lot of information there.

Lapvent - Thats the baby. I knew somebody would mention it. It looks like it will be the solution to my roof once I get around to it.

 

[Manny]

Thanks a lot for the replies, this Lapvent thing looks really good!

 

[Bus Godden]

Have you carefully watched the two bears in the divided loft, at the bottom of the ‘Ventilation Layout’ page under LapVent’s ‘Product summary’?

I doubt many people see what happens, but it made me laugh when I came across it, and it says a lot about the folly of sealing ourselves into our environments.

 

[Lime]

Have you carefully watched the two bears in the divided loft, at the bottom of the ‘Ventilation Layout’ page under LapVent’s ‘Product summary’?

I doubt many people see what happens, but it made me laugh when I came across it, and it says a lot about the folly of sealing ourselves into our environments.

I'm reminded of such a situation every time I enter my son's bedroom.