What Is the Best Way to Ventilate an Attic?

Prepare your work space. Many attics are not comfortable work spaces. Take the time to clean out a work area and inspect the attic overall. You may find that you need to do some additional cleaning or wear a mask depending on whether or not your home has asbestos or a certain type of insulation. Do your homework ahead of time for your own safety, and for the sake of the project. Once your work space is clean, set up an area for your tools and necessary supplies. This will make your project run more smoothly.

Review the instructions for installing the vent. These instructions will detail exactly the types of tools you need, as well as any dimensions or specifications that are necessary for proper completion of the project. Some vents also require a minor bit of assembly before you can perform the installation. This is best done in a comfortable location, not necessarily in the attic.

Cut a hole in the roof, to the dimensions detailed in your instructions. This step can be performed either on the inside or outside of the house. Using a circular saw, you can make the necessary cuts. Use your protective goggles during this step. Once you have completed the cut and removed the wood and shingles, brush away any saw dust.

Go to the roof and attach your vent. The vent will attach over the hole you have cut, and you will be able to screw it into the roof itself. Again, refer to your instructions as they may have important information. Line your vent up to the hole you have cut, and mark the places for the screw holes. Drill pilot holes and then line the vent up once again. From here you can insert the screws. Make sure you tighten the screws well, but take care not to strip them by over-tightening.

Replace the roofing materials you have removed, around the base of the vent. First apply the flashing with a bit of roofing tar and then cut and replace shingles as needed, also with roofing tar. Flashing and shingles can be cut easily with a box cutter.

Insulate around the opening of the vent from inside the attic. You can take extra bits of insulation from the attic or apply new insulation. Be careful not to block the opening of the vent. You can also replace some of the wood from the inside of the attic if you prefer to keep the aesthetic looking neat and clean, but this is not necessary.

Monitor your vent for functionality. Check on the vent periodically over the next several days to make sure it is working. You can also measure the temperature of the attic, charting its progress.