b'STEEP SLOPEVENT OR SEAL THE ATTIC?EASE OF INSTALLATION IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL VARIABLES THAT SUPPORT VENTINGBy: Paul Scelsi, Marketing Communications Manager at Air Vent Inc.The International ResidentialKeeping Installation SimpleBuildingCode(IRC)istheFor best performance, vented attics need a predominantsingle-familybalanced amount of intake vents and exhaust residentialbuildingcodeinvents in a quantity determined by the attics theUnitedStates.Ventedsquare footage. Cut some holes. Position and attics are the default construction practicefasten the vents. Move on. Obviously its a bit recognized by the IRC. Changes to recentmore complex than thatbut not much. Attic editions of the IRC have introduced unventedventilation is usually pretty simple. Not every (sealed) attics as an alternative. Decidingattic design lends itself to an easy ventilation whichapproachtotakeshouldincludesolution, but most knowledgeable roofing considerationofissuessuchaseaseofprofessionals can design an attic ventilation installation, ability to troubleshoot after thesolution for even the most challenging projects.fact, performance, upfront cost and return onTo properly seal an attic (make it an unvented investment. The Roof Assembly Ventilationassembly), however, the 2012 IRC details Coalitionwhich consists of most of themultiple levels of considerations, not the least major attic ventilation manufacturersisof which is installing the necessary amount of committed to helping roofing professionalsinsulation to bring the attic within the building better understand the benefits of proper atticthermal envelope (IRC R806.5). Adding an ventilation. attic to the homes overall conditioned space 38 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'