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New Residential Construction Gable Venting

Two Pump Chump

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Sep 27, 2020
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N CA
My County inspector for my home build said I have to have gable vents, the house has to breathe before it can pass final among other things. I am not really worried about the effectiveness really, it's bone dry, but I do recognize the usefulness and want to pass inspection. I have had the foam insulated roof/ceiling up for two winters going on the third, there are no zero indications of any moisture anywhere. My conversation was over the counter and casual so I am looking for the easy way for code or common knowledge regarding the size of the ventilation and area (?) of the vent (s) required. I assume one in each end, near the roof peak but other than that I have no idea. Any input is appreciated.
 
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jack stand

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Feb 29, 2012
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Lakes Region Maine
If you're ceiling has the foam louvers are an ok thing, if its the underside of the roof sheathing that's wrong. You did mention ceiling had the foam so do you have ventilation in the soffits?
"Mid America" makes a nice selection of vinyl louvers and in colors with a snap on trim ring that creates a built-in J channel.
Taking down about 3' of siding in the peak of the gables and cutting out the sheathing isn't a terrible job.
Look for them at a place like ABC supply or any good siding/roofing supply house. There are calculations for free net air space for code, but I'd make you selection a ask the inspector if they'll make him happy.
 

ericm

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Apr 17, 2016
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Southern Oregon
My County inspector for my home build said I have to have gable vents, the house has to breathe before it can pass final among other things. I am not really worried about the effectiveness really, it's bone dry, but I do recognize the usefulness and want to pass inspection. I have had the foam insulated roof/ceiling up for two winters going on the third, there are no zero indications of any moisture anywhere. My conversation was over the counter and casual so I am looking for the easy way for code or common knowledge regarding the size of the ventilation and area (?) of the vent (s) required. I assume one in each end, near the roof peak but other than that I have no idea. Any input is appreciated.

What those guys above said- if it's what sometimes called a hot deck roof where there is no gap between the insulation and the underside of the roof sheathing, its not supposed to have vents. Sometimes there is a designed in gap even on a design that looks like a hot roof. The place we're getting built in Oregon has that. And vents.

But your inspector may require them anyhow. When that happened during our remodel here in CA the contractor just added a ridge vent. No soffit vents and it's blocked off by the insulation so its 100% useless, but it satisfied the inspector who didn't even go up to look at it.

If you're in the WUI you'll need WUI rated vents.
 
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Two Pump Chump

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N CA
Thanks for the replies. Third new inspector since I started my build. So that's why I would like to be armed with some technical specification if there is one. Isn't this kinda thing grand ?
 

dcg9381

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Jun 20, 2018
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Austin, TX
My County inspector for my home build said I have to have gable vents, the house has to breathe before it can pass final among other things.
Spray foam? If so:

That's not how you build things with spray foam insulation. Your attic is "semi-heated" space. You do not want it to "breathe".
Have you looked at other foam homes in the area to see if they have gable vents?

In northern climates (where humidity can be an issue due to not running HVAC) the solution is an HRV or ERV, which I'm guessing would meet what the inspector is trying to accomplish.

Ask the inspector to quote whatever code he/she is trying to enforce. That's what we need to know.
 
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Two Pump Chump

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The ceiling in question is not an "attic". I was trying to see if anyone here actually knew the code, or if there was one. .... Sigh . . .. . .
 

billconner

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Thousand Islands NYS
The ceiling in question is not an "attic". I was trying to see if anyone here actually knew the code, or if there was one. .... Sigh . . .. . .
Venting is for the space between the insulation and roof deck. Pretty sure it's required to be 1/150th of the attic plan area. Under some circumstances with a 40/60 split between high and low, it can be reduced to 1/300. That's typical code. But you haven't explained where the insulation and ceiling is in relation to roof deck so no idea if this is helpful.
 

PoorUB

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Fargo, ND
The ceiling in question is not an "attic". I was trying to see if anyone here actually knew the code, or if there was one. .... Sigh . . .. . .
Seriously, you need to deal with the inspector on this. What is code here might not be code where you live. Explain there is no attic, only foamed in rafters. There is nothing to ventilate.
 

PCustoms

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VT
I still don't understand what has foam, is it the joists/ceiling or the underside of the roof deck?

Picture is worth a 1000 words...
 

MongoTA

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CT
I have had the foam insulated roof/ceiling up for two winters going on the third, there are no zero indications of any moisture anywhere.

You need to know which code, and version of code, applies to your area. Code is updated generally every 3 years, but some places still run on earlier versions, not the latest. To top that off, states and towns can add additional language to make certain parts of the code more restrictive. Coastal. Seismic. Or simply over-controlling AHJs. With all that?

I'll preface that everything I write that follows can be picked apart, I'm simply addressing the basics:

Find out what code applies to your build. Have printed pages of that code, or bring a laptop opened to the link (or the proper link) I included below. Bring them in to your inspector. Have them interpret the wording for you. They can only do that if they know how your roof is built. I've had one decent (actually stellar) building inspector in my area. Since he retired, I've usually known more about the code than any of his subsequent replacements. Seriously.

1202.2 is the overall section that deals with roof ventilation. Read carefully to get to the subchapter that applies to your build. Language can be nuanced and confusing. Don't read a sentence and think "Ah hah!" Read the entire chapter as well as any included attachments.

1202.2.1 addresses "ventilated attics and rafter spaces". It's typically referring to roof rafters filled with air-permeable insulation (FG batts for example) and addresses the need to leave an air gap in each rafter bay between the top surface of the insulation and the underside of the sheathing. Again, there are other situations as well.

1202.2.3 is for unvented attic and rafter assemblies. Unvented these days, the most common that I see is closed cell foam sprayed into each rafter bay with the foam being in direct contact with the underside of the roof sheathing. But again, there are other assemblies that meet that wording.

To help you present better, know what foam you have; open or closed. Know the thickness of the foam application. Is it between the roof rafters? Is it in the "attic floor", or the ceiling of the living space below the attic?

Be familiar with soffit and ridge vents. Gable end wall vents. Classes of vapor retarders.

Know where the thermal envelope of your house is and if it includes the attic space or not.

Inspectors deal with messy builders. Show up with a good attitude, be prepared with your build details (a basic hand drawing can help in addition to your words) , have a basic knowledge of terms, and bring an inquisitive mind. The inspector should be able to show you in the code why you have to do what he says you have to do. If he can't? "Hey, I'm still a bit confused...is there anyone else here I can talk to so I can get the details right?" For clarity, ask if they have a copy of the IBC Illustrated Handbook in the office, so he can show you pretty pictures. When language confuses, sometimes pictures can bring clarity.

Anyhow, I hope this helps more than confuses. For your reading pleasure, here's a link to Chapter 12.
 
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Two Pump Chump

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N CA
Thank you Mongo and others for the replies ! Went over this with my contractor and I can vent out the gable end, no big deal. Hopefully I can post a pic when this is completed.
 
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