Back to Basics: Ventilation for Pitched Roofs
Hambleside Danelaw has produced this Back to Basics article in order to detail the types of roof ventilation for pitched roofs currently available, as well as how they can contribute to preventing condensation forming in the roof.
WITH THE update of BS 5250: Management of moisture in buildings – Code of practice, there has been an increasing awareness of how higher levels of thermal insulation can result in increased levels of condensation in the roof space. It is therefore more important than ever to ensure that there are adequate sources of ventilation in the roof.
Ridge Ventilation
Now that ridge and hip tiles have to be mechanically fixed, the most common method of introducing ventilation to the roof space is to install a ventilated dry fix ridge and hip system, such as Hambleside Danelaw’s CON6+.
These contain a specially designed roll-out component that is installed below the hip and ridge tiles. The CON6+ ridge roll allows for a minimum of 5,000mm² of airflow area per linear metre installed.
Introducing the SwiftRidg®
Hambleside Danelaw is delighted to announce its new state of the art lead alternative GRP Roll Top Ridge and Hip Systems: SwiftRidg® and SwiftRidg®+.
The patented SwiftRidg® and SwiftRidg®+ are lead alternative fixing kits (GB Patent Application No: 2308115.1), suitable for slates and plain tiles at pitches of 20º to 50º. With clipable components and a unique omega bracket, it is provided in 3m kits. The SwiftRidg®+ provides a ventilated application option at ridge level. SwiftRidg® has been BRE tested to resist wind speeds exceeding 110mph.
The data sheet and installation recommendations can be found on Hambleside Danelaw’s website. For any questions, please get in touch at techelp@hambleside-danelaw.co.uk.
Tile and Slate Ventilators
Tile and slate ventilators are installed as a direct replacement for the tiles or slates, often blending in with the roof surface to improve the appearance of the roof. There are a wide range and variety of ventilators available from various manufacturers, all compatible with different types of tiles, but all with varying ventilation areas.
Tile ventilators are easy to install, and some can be used as terminals for soil pipes and extractor fans as well as ventilation of the roof space.
Most of Hambleside Danelaw’s tile and slate vents can be used with mechanical extraction from bathrooms, and all can be used for soil stack ventilation. Simply attach the flexi-pipe adaptor to the tile or slate vent and connect to the ductwork.
The Danelaw product range has a wide range of compatibility, from single and double lap tiles to a range of different slate sizes. To learn more about our ventilator compatibility, please refer to Hambleside Danelaw’s compatibility chart, which is available on the website.
Soffit & Eaves Ventilators
The eaves is the area where the roof meets the exterior wall of the building. It is usually a suitable place to install a form of ventilation, whether through a continuous over fascia, soffit or corbel ventilator strip or individual soffit ventilators that are often fitted retrospectively.
Continuous soffit strip vents are installed onto soffit boards and offer an excellent amount of airflow, with Hambleside Danelaw’s soffit vent providing 10,000mm2 of airflow per metre of vent installed.
The fascia board usually carries the eaves gutter and is often used as the primary method of roof space ventilation.
The Danelaw universal over fascia vent is just one of two options and is suitable for both new build and refurbishment serving all roof pitches, including those below a 15° pitch. The universal over fascia vent strip is design to have optional fixing positions to provide either a 10,000mm² or 25,000mm2 of airflow area per metre of vent.
As with all of the Danelaw range, the eaves vents are designed to prevent the ingress of birds and large nesting insects, while preventing excessive airflow resistance.
The Importance of Ventilation
Allowing water vapour to exit the roof cavities by providing free flowing ventilation airways can prevent structural damage, decay and the growth of mould caused by moisture and wetness from excessive or repetitive condensation. BS 5250 highlights the importance of managing all sources of moisture in the building, and roofing ventilation is an important part of this strategy.
To learn more about ventilation requirements, take a look at the first Back to Basics article which can be found on Hambleside Danelaw’s dedicated webpage,
or contact 01327 701 900.
>>Read more Hambleside Danelaw Back to Basics articles
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