Vented attics anyone?

[strutaeng]

I just saw this interesting video. Vented vs non-vented attics discussed in the first half.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Should really be thinking conditioned or non-conditioned space...

Dr. Lstiburek has some very informative on building science, water/moisture control, etc...

 

[RVDan]

I'm so confused.

I live in Canada so I guess I'll just leave my attic vented.

 

[Colin Len]

Seeing this is just a reminder at how terribly inefficient my 1942 bungalow home is and how much I'd LOVE to change that. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be cost effective. Probably better to tear down and start over or take the house down to the studs and do a full renovation, remodel and addition.

 

[brownbagg]

i thought all attics were vented

 

[n20junkie]

I disagree with him, and the proof that ways of old work are in the houses that are still standing after 100 years.

His new age of construction involves materials that don't last all that long (plastics that harden with time and heat and become brittle) and some are just piss poor IMHO (flex vent used in his example).

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I disagree with him, and the proof that ways of old work are in the houses that are still standing after 100 years.

His new age of construction involves materials that don't last all that long (plastics that harden with time and heat and become brittle) and some are just piss poor IMHO (flex vent used in his example).

There's a difference between longevity and energy efficiency... old homes generally were over-built, materials were less moisture sensitive and not very well sealed. Not much care was taken with moisture control back then and it was generally a non-issue. The structure was "loose" and could dry out.

However newer homes and materials can offer better performance, but care must be taken to address moisture which will quickly destroy a newer "tight".

I don't disagree on the flex-vent...

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

The big problem with building these tight homes is a LOT of attention needs to be paid to DETAILS... many of which are overlooked (older mindset, education, cost, etc...).

 

[JMURiz]

I went with a hot-roof/conditioned attic at my house. It feels really great up in the attic now and makes for a nice space to have extra storage

 

[Falcon67]

I disagree with him, and the proof that ways of old work are in the houses that are still standing after 100 years.

His new age of construction involves materials that don't last all that long (plastics that harden with time and heat and become brittle) and some are just piss poor IMHO (flex vent used in his example).

He works in Texas and I agree with him. Old houses down here are drafty and damn hard to heat and cool. Yea, they last a long time but they are wildly inefficient. No vapor barriers under pier and beam houses, 2x4 rafters with wood shingles under asphalt, end gable venting if anything, etc.

And flex duct is the norm here. Go through any 100s of new house construction in Texas and that's all there is. Has been for 40 years at least, maybe more. Hard duct is industrial, maybe real high end hoe construction. And I mean high, high end - $750,000 still gets you flex ducting. And 750K is a hellofa house on a big lot in these parts.

I like the compromise cavity housing the duct work inside the conditioned space. That would be way cheaper during the build than spray foam or bagging and blowing the rafters.