Unvented Attic Metal Roof

In an unvented attic penetrations through the ceiling directly below the attic do not need to be air sealed.

Unvented attic metal roof.

The unvented attic space is completely within the building thermal envelope. Unvented roof assemblies such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings are becoming common in north american construction. As unvented attics are now code approved through the icc is the mra planning on adopting new guidelines. I ve read elsewhere on this forum venting of attics is required for metal roofs.

These assemblies are created by eliminating ventilation openings and moving the thermal moisture and air control boundaries to the plane of the roof deck. Ted storm posted in energy efficiency and durability on april 27 2011 09 53am. The other option of course is a vented attic which requires an equal balance of intake and exhaust vents. Section 1203 3 says unvented attics where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of the roof framing members are permitted when all of the following conditions are met.

In many cases for existing homes this is the easier way to go. However if moisture is able to enter the unvented attic space it may lead to roofing panel issues. They are designed without ventilation openings and the attic is conditioned like the rest of the living space. This is because the top floor ceiling is no longer the air barrier for the house the spray foam at the roof deck underside in the attic is the air barrier.

I ll soon be building in texas a 2000 sq ft. In the process of construction currently have a standing seam metal room installed over synthetic felt over osb. The energy savings touted by unvented attics can be as high as 20. He says by detailing the air barrier correctly especially the connection between the roof air barrier and the wall air barrier designers can ensure an unvented metal roof design is airtight vapor tight and functional.

Unvented roofs operate by the principle that venting is not necessary to control moisture accumulation. Should you opt to run ductwork or place mechanical systems in the attic an unvented roof is best for avoiding thermal penalties as the ductwork will be located in a conditioned space allowing the system to recover thermal losses through the ducts. There will be ducting and other hvac equipment in the attic. Should you vent a metal roof.

No insulation installed yet. Metal roofing works well with this because the metal is unaffected by heat not being able to pass through it and enter the attic. Lstiburek says common failures in unvented metal roof designs include seams in insulated metal panels not being sealed correctly and missing air barriers in metal roof panel systems. Home with an unvented attic and am thinking about using a metal roof.