| Author | Message | ||
     Mary Elizabeth Russ |
My husband and I recently purchased an historic brick house with a new (six years old) slate roof. The new slate roof replaced the original slate roof that was damaged in a storm. The roof was not vented when installed. Is it possible to vent a slate roof (sofit vents? ridge vents?) after the roof has been installed for six years? If yes, what would this entail? Someone mentioned placing gable vents on the side of the house instead, however, chimneys are on both sides of my attic and the area on either side of the chimneys are ~ 12 inches of brick thick. Would gable vents be more practical or more work? Does anyone have any references for placing vents in a slate roof after it has been installed? Thanks to anyone with information or advice. | ||
| Anonymous |
If you have room to add soffit vents then a copper or slate ridge vent can be done very nicely--we do it all the time. You also need to know (check) how the existing insulating was done. If the attic floor was insulated your all set--if between the rafters (ceiling of attic)was where the insulation was installed you need to check and see if air-flow (styrofoam) baffles was installed if not you need to remove all insulation between rafters, install air-flow baffles then reinstall insulation. If air cannot flow from eve of roof to peak you've done nothing. It's like a automobile there needs to be an intake (vents at eve) and a exhaust (vent at ridge or box vents installed near ridge). And that is how you do that. | ||
| Mary Elizabeth Russ |
A "thank you" to the person who responded to my inquiry about venting a pre-existing slate roof. I appreciate the knowledge that the roof may still be vented even though complete (I had heard rumors that once a slate roof was installed, the roof would be very difficult to vent.) Your response has removed my concerns. Thank you again for taking the time to reply. | ||
| admin |
You can also install low-profile roof vents on an existing slate roof, without difficulty. You can buy them (aluminum - brown or mill finish) at any building supply store. When we install them, we try to put them where they are not so obvious, such as the back side of the roof. You can also install electric ones with fans. Joe |
