Soft roof aerator ridge installation device St. Roofing aerators TechnoNIKOL. Types of roof ventilation devices

When installing a soft roof, care should be taken to ensure its ventilation. That is, about the elements that trigger the circulation of air masses and continuous ventilation of all components of the roof, including insulation and rafters. If the roof is pitched, then a ventilated ridge for a soft roof can solve the ventilation problem. It is built from ready-made ridge elements (aerators) or made with your own hands from available building materials.

A ventilated (breathing) ridge is installed on the upper horizontal edge of the roof, along the connection line of the slopes. It differs from a regular ridge in the presence of through holes for the release of warm air from the under-roof space.

Necessary component this decision- a ventilation gap that is cut along the ridge of the roof. A ridge element (usually triangular in shape) with perforations along the side walls is mounted on top of this gap. Its task: to close the ventilation gap, ensuring the tightness of the roof in terms of the penetration of atmospheric moisture and insects into the openings, and, at the same time, allowing warm air from interior spaces freely go outside. This ridge element, as well as the structure it completes, is called a ventilated ridge.

The principle of operation of ridge ventilation

Ridge ventilation operates on the principle of convection (mixing) of air masses. Warm, moisture-saturated air coming from the interior of the house rises upward, towards the ridge of the roof. There he strives to find a way out. And it finds it if there are holes in the ridge (that is, if there is a ventilated ridge).

However, simply by providing perforation in the ridge, it is impossible to achieve ventilation of the under-roof space. Any ventilation system starts only when there is exhaust and air flow. If a ventilated ridge is responsible for the hood, then the gaps left in the area of the eaves overhangs are used for the flow of cold air.

For this purpose, perforated soffits or ventilation grilles are used in the filing of overhangs. Now everything is falling into place. Cold air enters through the vents in the overhangs, heats up and is saturated with moist steam. Then it gradually rises up towards the ridge and goes outside. A draft is created and a new portion of cold air is drawn in through the vents. This ensures continuous circulation of air masses and ventilation of the under-roof space.

Why is it necessary to ventilate the under-roof space at all? Maybe you can do without it? Let the warm, moist air rise up and stay there... Unfortunately, this option threatens many troubles: roof leaks, deterioration thermal insulation properties insulation, rotting of wooden elements (rafters, sheathing), damage to bitumen shingles.

The fact is that warm, moist vapors that rise upward and have not found a way out, when there is a difference in temperature outside and indoors, condense in the under-roof space. Steam forms many microscopic droplets of water, which settle on the sheathing, rafters, and insulation. As a result, the rafter system begins to rot and the insulation is destroyed.

In winter, the accumulation of warm air in the under-roof space leads to a large temperature difference between the internal and outer surface roofs. The snow on such a roof periodically melts, forming ice and icicles. This causes bitumen shingles to leak, become damp and crack.

It should be noted that the construction of a ventilated ridge (and in general systems forced ventilation) is more relevant for warm attics and residential attics, that is, where insulation is laid in the under-roof space. Cold attics are perfectly ventilated through dormer windows.

Thus, a ventilation system for a soft roof with a warm attic or residential attic is mandatory. And the most effective method its arrangement is the construction of a ventilated ridge, which allows you to ventilate the under-roof space along its entire length.

Ventilated ridge options

A ventilated ridge is constructed in two ways:

Install a special one along the upper edge of the roof ridge aerator. It is a plastic element with a solid top part and perforations on the sides. There is a filter inside the valve that prevents precipitation, insects, and dust from entering the under-roof space. The aerator can have a length of 0.5-1.22 m. For installation along the entire length of the ridge, the aerators are fastened together, obtaining a continuous ventilated element. So that upon completion of installation it is invisible on the roof, it plastic surface the top is covered with bituminous shingles.
A ridge with gaps is formed, which is a direct continuation of the roofing structure. Bars are installed on the upper parts of the slopes (like lathing), and they are covered on top with a triangular element made of plywood or OSB. Thus, gaps are formed on the sides of the ridge (between the bars), through which warm air escapes. The top surface of the ridge, just as in the first case, is covered with roofing material.

In any case, regardless of the design option, the ventilated ridge must have the following properties:

Let air vapors through. To do this, a ventilation gap of the required width (usually 40-50 mm) is cut on the roof structure along the ridge, through which free air escape is ensured. The ventilation gap is blocked from above ridge element(an aerator or a homemade design) with vents in the side parts.
Protect the under-roof space from precipitation and melting snow. The design of the ridge should prevent melt and rain water from leaking through it.
Protect the under-roof space from dust, insects, and small rodents.
Allow excess moisture from the room to evaporate.

Let's consider how a ventilated ridge can be installed.

Installation of a finished ridge aerator

This version of the ventilation ridge device is the simplest. It involves fixing (laying) a ridge aerator along the entire length of the roof ridge, on top of the ventilation gap.

In this case, more than half of the success depends on the right choice aerator. To avoid getting into trouble, you should stick to designs from well-known manufacturers; for example, Ridge Master and Ventline ridge aerators have proven themselves to be excellent.

The aerator installation technology usually looks like this. A ventilation hole 40-50 mm wide is initially formed in the ridge (leaving free space) or cut out. If a ridge beam is installed on the ridge, then make two cuts of 20 (25) mm each - on both sides of the beam. In any case, the ventilation slot should not reach the edges of the slopes (gables) by 150 mm on both sides, so as not to disturb the eaves sheathing.

For roofs of complex shapes, slightly different rules for arranging gaps apply. On hip roof Two 20 mm gaps are cut on both sides of the ridge board. The total width of the slot is 40 mm. Two 150 mm gaps are left uncut at both ends of the ridge.

On T and L-shaped roofs, the ventilation slot of the long ridge is made according to the above instructions. The short ridge slot ends 300 mm before the long ridge and 150 mm before the cornice.

In the presence of chimney, the ventilation gap is cut, not reaching 300 mm. Although the aerator is subsequently mounted up to the pipe itself.

The width and allowable length of the vent openings may vary slightly depending on the design and manufacturer of the ridge aerator. But the principle of their design remains the same.

After this, the cut gap is cleared of sawing waste. And the aerator is installed in the center of the gap and secured with galvanized roofing nails through special holes provided for fasteners. The length of the nails should allow for fastening to the lower roof sheathing.

Typically, the aerator begins to be attached at one end of the ridge, flush with the edge of the gable cornice. And they finish fastening - from the other end of the ridge. That is, regardless of the fact that the ventilation slot begins at a distance of 15-30 cm from the edges of the ridge, the aerator is mounted along its entire length. This approach increases the decorativeness of the ridge and allows it not to stand out from the overall structure of the roof. At the same time, installing an aerator only above the ventilation slot works no worse. The only thing is that the aerator on such a roof will be more noticeable.

If necessary, a ventilated ridge is assembled from several aerators, connecting them together. If the ridge is installed in the cold season, small gaps of 3 mm must be left between the elements to compensate for thermal expansion.

Then a row of ridge tiles, in color matching or combined with the color of ordinary tiles. Ridge tile petals are produced by dividing ridge-eave shingle shingles along perforation lines.

The resulting petals are folded in half, placed on the ridge and nailed - 4 pieces for each tile. Installation is carried out with an overlap. Each subsequent petal is placed on the previous one with a 50% overlap to completely cover the nail heads.

The aerator, covered with flexible tiles, is almost invisible on the roof and looks like a single whole with it.

The process of installing a ridge aerator followed by covering it with bitumen shingles is recorded in the video:

Making your own ventilated ridge

Purchasing and installing a ready-made aerator is not the only way to install a ventilated ridge. With the right skill, you can make it completely yourself, without buying any specialized elements. The optimal width of such a ridge is 50 cm, the width of the ventilation gap is 50 mm.

Materials used:

galvanized plaster mesh;
bars 50x50 mm (will provide a ventilation clearance of 50 mm);
OSB or moisture-resistant plywood;
cornice/end strip;
underlay carpet, flexible tiles.

To install a skate, proceed as follows:

A ventilation gap of 30-50 mm wide is cut in a straight line in the ridge, not reaching at least 150 mm to the edge of the ridge.
On both sides of the gap (on the slopes) strips of galvanized mesh are fixed, which will later be tucked behind the bars and serve as protection against dust and insects getting into the under-roof space. To make the filtration system more reliable, the mesh fabric is also secured over the ventilation gap.
From above, through the ridge, on both sides of the roof, 50x50 mm bars are stuffed - they will form ventilation side vents (clearances) and, at the same time, will play the role of sheathing for the surface of the ventilation ridge.
The mesh strips are thrown over the bars, and sheets of OSB or plywood, 450-500 mm wide, are stuffed on top.
On the sides, sheets of OSB or plywood are covered with an end/cornice strip. After which the skate is almost ready, the final touch is covering the solid surface with petals flexible tiles.
An underlay carpet is placed on the continuous sheathing, and ridge-eaves tiles are placed on it. Fastening is carried out using roofing nails, in the usual way for flexible tiles.

Many practicing builders believe that hand made ventilated ridge using the method described above - more quality option ventilation than installing a factory aerator. It often lasts longer and is less susceptible to mechanical damage and the harmful effects of temperature changes.

After watching a short video, the structure of such a ventilated skate will become clear:

In conclusion, I would like to note that a ventilated ridge is not always able to fully ensure the circulation of air masses and ventilation of the under-roof space. At large sizes Ventilated ridge slopes are not enough. The extraction process will work poorly. In such cases, it is additionally necessary to install pitched point aerators, which can enhance the exhaust and, accordingly, improve the quality of ventilation.

A necessary condition for safe and long-term operation of the roof is ventilation of the soft roof and under-roof space. An aerator for a soft roof, installed according to the rules, allows you to forget about roof leaks caused by the accumulation of condensate on the inner surface of the covering material and in the thickness of the insulation.

Why does condensation occur?

The formation of condensation is a natural physical process. Typical examples in Everyday life– dew on the grass, frost on the body of a car on a spring or autumn morning. Water is released when the air, cooling and compressing, becomes so dense that it squeezes out excess water molecules, which settle on the nearest solid surface. In our case, this is the roof surface.

Since it is impossible to avoid condensation, the question arises of minimizing or completely eliminating negative consequences condensation formation. To do this, you need to organize 2 processes:

Condensate drainage.
Drying roofing layers.

The first problem is solved by the lining carpet and the eaves drip. The second problem is solved by organizing sufficient ventilation of the under-roof space, which is ensured by the arrangement of the influx of outside air in the eaves of the roof and the removal of air from the ridge part. Because the roof ridge must be protected from precipitation and insects; a special element is installed to ventilate the bitumen shingle roof. This roof ventilation element has several names: deflector, valve, aerator, vent. The essence is the same. It simultaneously provides air release and seals the ridge, protecting this part of the roof from precipitation, leaves, insects, birds and other foreign objects.

Note that the installation of ridge ventilation elements is in vain if the condition of free air flow from the eaves of the roof and its movement along the air gap in the roof is not met.

Types of aerators

Ridge aerators come in solid and point types.

A linear (solid) aerator is used on the ridge areas of pitched roofs, if there is no risk of snow accumulation on the ridge. This is a factory-made product, it is a profile element made of polyethylene high pressure, on which the cornice tiles of soft tiles are attached on top. It is produced in Russia and also supplied from abroad by leading foreign manufacturers of flexible tiles. Solid aerators from different manufacturing companies are similar in design. A typical solid aerator has stiffening ribs and a breathable seal that protects the ridge from the penetration of insects and blowing snow, which is firmly attached between the ribs. The elements are secured to each other with specially designed locks. The aerator is installed on the ridge and covered with ridge tiles on top.

Installation of continuous roof aerators can be carried out either in the form of a continuous line, connecting elements to each other, or in separate sections. It depends on the area of the roof and the tastes of its owner. A continuous ridge row on a roof made of soft tiles looks more aesthetically pleasing.

Major manufacturers of solid aeration elements

The RidgeMaster ridge aerator is considered to be the ancestor of the family of solid aerators. (RidgeMaster). The element has a length of 1219 mm and two widths: 229 mm and 279 mm. Finnish manufacturer Vilpe, known for its specialization in roofing accessories, supplies a wide range of ventilation elements to Russia. The continuous TechnoNIKOL aerator is complete analogue Ridgemaster skate, but has an element length of 0.6 meters. Provides ventilation for approximately 10 m2 of roof (provided the thickness of the ventilated air layer is 5 cm).

Point aerator

Installation of point aerators is provided on a flat roof and on a roof where there is no ridge as such (for example, the roof of an extension to a wall), or in places where the continuous flow of air from the eaves is interrupted (for example, under roof windows), as well as on very long sections of slopes length more than 15 meters.

Point aerators should be installed at a distance of 0.5-0.8 meters from the highest point of the roof section, and for complex roofs, installation is carried out according to the instructions of the designers. Point roofing aeroelements come in low and high types. Most popular:

Aerator type KTV. Produced by many Russian and foreign manufacturers. Provides ventilation of the under-roof space of 20 m2.

Aerator type KTV valve. Available in several color ranges and is used primarily in premium asphalt shingle roofing installations. Provides ventilation of the under-roof space up to 40 square meters. m.

Vilpe, TechnoNIKOL and other manufacturers also produce high point elements. These ventilation elements They are a lifesaver for roofs with a slight slope (14°) or when snow accumulates and a continuous aerator does not work. Manufactured for slopes of 14 and 27 degrees, for ridge and pitched roof sections and for flat roofs. The series is available in three diameters: 75, 110 and 160 mm.

Homemade aerator

If absolutely necessary, you can make a ridge aerator yourself. To do this, you need to prepare bars with a section of 50x50 and a length of 300 mm. The edges of the lining carpet in the ridge must be turned outward and placed over the bitumen shingles by 80-100 mm. The bars must be thoroughly treated with an antiseptic, since they will almost always be wet.

Stuff the bars perpendicular to the ridge in increments of 300 mm. Install OSB on top. Thus, you get a “whatnot”. Cover the top of the shelf with ridge tiles of soft tiles. The air outlets should be protected with a fine insect net.

It should be noted that installing a homemade ridge is not always a solution for roof ventilation. Often condensation settles on the back surface of the OSB in the central part of the ridge. Then the drops do not so much roll down the slope outward, as happens in industrially made aerators, but drip together back onto the insulation or into the attic space.

Roofing from soft materials has always been distinguished by its uniqueness. Developers, accustomed to seeing only rigid products on the roof of buildings, note that with elastic materials and the correct selection auxiliary elements the building looks more comfortable. The most attractive thing about soft materials is their price. Indeed, covering a roof with them is not expensive, but in order to create a high-quality structure, you need to think through all the nuances. One of them is roof ventilation.

When installing a covering made of soft tiles, you should understand that this material is a kind of waterproofing and will not allow moisture to pass through, therefore, condensation that gets into the attic space will remain there for a long time. It is about solving this problem that this article is written.

Flexible roof

Before answering your question, I want to tell you a little about the softest roof.

If we judge this coating only by its characteristics, then this is an ideal coating, but as you know, such coatings do not exist, so let’s look at the positive and negative qualities this product and let's start with the good stuff.

Good sound insulation. When it rains, a person in the house will never hear the sounds of drops falling on the roof
High performance. It is thanks to its structure and the raw materials used in production that the material will never begin to corrode, rot or become covered with microorganisms in the form of fungi or moss
Easy to install
There is no need to equip its plane with special elements like a lightning rod, because bitumen coating includes materials that do not allow current to spread
Due to its small dimensions and plasticity, it is not afraid of temperature fluctuations and strong gusts of wind.
Unpretentious during operation
Cheapness
Soft roofing is a sealed and environmentally friendly product

Now, let's touch on the negative side.

At low temperatures, the material becomes very fragile, so its installation during this period is simply impractical
The installation process should be carried out only in positive temperatures, when the air is heated to more than 5 degrees. If there is an urgent need for this, then it is necessary to use heating devices
The minimum slope for the roof is at least 10 degrees (but some products can be laid on slopes up to 5 degrees)

Well-known manufacturers of flexible roofing

If you decide to buy this product, then you should undoubtedly know about the common manufacturers of this material.

All over the world, the most common flexible roofing is Kerabit. These are soft tiles that are produced in Finland, and the company Lemminkainen is engaged in this.
If we consider the CIS countries, then developers here most prefer the company Katepal, located in Finland and Shinglas. Katepal has an average price, which is reflected in its quality, but Shinglas has a fairly low price for its performance. The company has 5 types of products in its arsenal, which differ not only in size, but also in shape

As an experienced builder, I can assure you that the best choice of the three options will be Shinglas brand products. Compared to its analogues, it has a great advantage in:

Resistant to direct sunlight
Protection against the proliferation of microorganisms
Chemical resistance
The harsh conditions of Russia

When you come to a hardware store, you should not immediately ask about the brand you are interested in, ask the seller about other materials, soberly weigh all the pros and cons, and only then purchase the product.

Main components of soft roofs

So, let's look at what layers a flexible roof includes. We will analyze the layers using tiles as an example, but if we consider rolled material, you will not see any significant differences.

Roof covering
Underlay carpet
Lathing (solid, OSB board)
Vapor barrier layer
Thermal insulation boards

These layers may not fit in this sequence. It all depends on roofing material And functional purpose building.

I would like to raise a separate topic regarding lathing. After all, the service life of your roof will depend on it.

Included rafter system For soft roofs, lathing plays a rather important role. Its fastening is carried out on the counter lathing, which is created to ensure ventilation ducts, which allows condensation to be removed.

To create a high-quality sheathing you will need the following materials:

Board made of coniferous trees.
Moisture-resistant plywood or, as an alternative, OSB board. It is worth noting that the larger the pitch of the rafter legs is set, the thicker the plywood sheet is taken.
Long nails.

IN regulatory documents you will not find the requirements for sheathing, which I will describe below.

The sheathing should be created without any steps or irregularities.
All joining of elements must be carried out as efficiently as possible.
If the attic space will not be converted into a living space, then you should not make it very bulky, it is enough just that it can withstand the design loads.
There should be a small gap of 1-3 millimeters between the boards. This will allow air masses to ventilate the space.
All wooden parts of the rafter system must be treated with antiseptics (substances that prevent rotting).

The fasteners for the sheathing must go through all the boards. By the way, to improve the quality of this design, these places can be processed.

Installation of flexible roofing

After you have learned almost everything about the rafter system, you should understand the tile installation process itself.

The process looks like this:

First, as elsewhere, you should carry out preparatory work. They include cleaning the base from debris and drying it (if required), and treating it with various solutions.
A continuous lining carpet is laid over the continuous sheathing (despite its name, there should be a small gap of 1-3 millimeters between the boards), and if it is not possible to completely cover this plane with one sheet, then the parts are glued together using special construction tape. remember, that this work It is advisable only on roofs whose slope is less than 20 degrees, and if this value is greater, then the lining carpet is installed in the most dangerous places. By such places I mean areas where leakage is possible in the future.
After this, metal strips and eaves tiles are installed in the eaves and ends of the building.
Next, the work moves on to arranging and strengthening the valleys (if any).
As soon as the previous work has been completed, you can begin laying ordinary tiles along the entire roof plane, but without affecting the places where the ridge tiles will be installed.

I hope everything is clear to you here and now you can move on to the main thing.

How to create high-quality ventilation on a roof made of flexible tiles

Ventilation allows air to remove excess moisture from the attic space and some important rafters, but if it is left there, what will happen?

If you do not provide the roof with ventilation, then you will certainly face the following consequences:

The warm season will turn your attic into a steam room, therefore, you will not be able to stay there for a long time or store anything.
The insulation boards that are located in the roofing pie will fail very quickly and there will be no point in them at all. After all, moisture that gets into this material reduces its characteristics down to zero.
All roofing structures and their elements will be destroyed by microorganisms over time.
IN winter time years, icicles will certainly appear in the attic and a large number of ice, which will lead to stains on the ceilings of living rooms.
Some roofing materials will begin to swell and typically fail much earlier than their useful life.

Surely, you do not want to encounter these problems, so, most likely, you have a question: how is high-quality ventilation of a soft roof created?

To ensure this, you should adhere to the following rules:

An air gap should always be created between the layers of roofing pie being laid. This can be achieved using small beams, the thickness of which is at least 5 centimeters. These elements are located between the insulation and the base
Often, developers leave the bottom of the slopes open to provide additional air flow, but experienced roofers cover such areas with soffits. They prevent birds and rodents from taking up residence in your attic. And for additional exhaust, various aerators and ventilated ridges are used. By the way, we'll talk about them below.
As mentioned earlier, the sheathing should have some gaps of 1-3 millimeters in order to eliminate the possibility of stagnation of air masses
The height of the air gap created between the insulation and the base must be correctly calculated. In progress roofing works, the workers created for themselves some selection rules given value. If the slope degree is 10 degrees, and its length is only 5 meters, then a 5 cm air gap is quite enough. With the same angle, but a slightly much longer length - 25 meters, the layer will be twice as large

Roof ventilation from a soft roof can have either one or two circuits. Let me list you the layers of dual-circuit ventilation.

Insulation boards
Diffusion film
Wind barrier
First air gap
Second gap for air access
Roof covering

Besides natural ventilation you can always create a forced one.

Forced ventilation

This type may be needed only when natural ventilation does not cope with its functional task or it is not possible to arrange it.

To create an artificial circulation of the air mass, the installation of so-called aerators will be required. This device works due to the difference in pressure between the room and the pipe.

Today you can find them in a hardware store of completely different sizes and shapes. When purchasing these parts, you should understand that the smaller they are, the greater the quantity required to complete the task.

Here's what you should know about roof aerators:

If you plan to install several aerators, then there should be no less than 12 meters between them.
To install them, you should select the highest points of the roof and distribute them evenly along its plane.
When installing aerators on a new roof, the location of the pipe should be at the junction of the insulation boards.
If you spend roofing repair, and the problem was swelling of the coating, then install the aerator in this exact place.
You should not make holes for pipes exactly to their diameter. Create it a little larger by about 1-2 centimeters.
Fastening elements for aerators are anchor bolts or dowels
The resulting joints are sealed using adhesive waterproofing products.

To monitor air humidity in the attic, I advise you to use special thermometers. They will be indicators of the operation of your natural ventilation, and if it malfunctions, you can install aerators.

Installation of an aerator in a building in use

If your roof is made of flexible tiles and natural ventilation does not fulfill its functional purposes, then you have to purchase auxiliary elements for ventilation - aerators. If you choose not to do this, then rest assured that you will soon have to replace not only the roofing material, but the entire roofing system.

There is nothing complicated in the design of an aerator, judge for yourself.

First you need to choose a place where the aerator will be mounted. If the roof has problem areas, then it is best to install it there.
To do this, a hole is cut out, the diameter of which will be slightly larger than the pipe itself.
If during the installation of this element you discover that your insulation is wet, then it should be replaced with a new one.
Before as metal parts aerators will sink into the roofing pie, they should be treated with mastic, the same is done with the base.
The aerator elements must be securely placed on the roof plane. To do this, they are screwed on with self-tapping screws.
The lower part of the pipe is insulated.

If this process If you can’t do it yourself, don’t despair - call a specialist or take an experienced roofer as a partner.

Auxiliary roofing elements

In addition to aerators, the roofing sphere has several more parts in its arsenal that significantly increase the quality of natural ventilation.

Ventilated ridge for soft roofing

This element is installed at the very top of the roof. Its design is somewhat different from a regular skate. A ventilated ridge has walls with a number of holes. It is through them that moist air leaves the attic. The operating principle of a ventilated ridge is similar to an aerator; everything happens due to a pressure difference.

Wind strip for soft roofing

The end strip for a soft roof is a mandatory component. The fact is that strong gusts of wind can easily tear the coating off the base and you will have to repair it. This element will also serve as a worthy addition to the completeness of your roof and will give a chic appearance. Therefore, if you are concerned not only with a well-made roof, but also with beauty, then this element is undoubtedly worth your attention.

As a conclusion, I would like to note that soft roof installation - perfect solution for covering utility or temporary buildings. For this, roofing felt or other rolled product is best suited. Bitumen-based materials have maximum waterproofing, therefore roofing system will serve its maximum life.

By the way, if you have the finances, then ask around at a hardware store for tiles with a self-adhesive side. This will greatly facilitate and speed up the installation process.

Modern roofing structures are a complex system in which the elements work effectively only by closely interacting and complementing each other. When creating a roofing project made from soft tiles, corrugated sheets or metal tiles, you need to take a lot into account: protect the insulation from getting wet, prevent rotting of the rafter frame and premature wear coverings. “Warm” roofs that lack an insulating air layer deserve special attention. In order for the microclimate in such houses to be suitable for life, it is necessary to establish air circulation between the under-roof space and the atmosphere. To do this, a ventilated ridge is installed on pitched roofs, the installation of which is a prerequisite for organizing forced ventilation of the roof.

Design

Ventilated ridge - a device installed on pitched roofs for organizing forced ventilation of the roof. It is a simple plastic device installed along the ridge of a roof made of soft tiles, corrugated sheets or metal tiles. The ventilated ridge profile has the following functions:

Reliably seals the ridge connection of pitched roofs so that leaks do not occur through it. Triangular shape the ridge complicates the sealing of this weak spot in the roof made of corrugated sheets and corrugated sheets, through which melt and rain water can leak.
Allows access to air. The ventilation gap that is formed when installing a ridge of this design opens the way for heated air inside the room to the street, which creates a kind of draft and forces the air to circulate inside the house.
Closes the ventilation gap from the penetration of insects and snow sweeping. The design of the skate is designed in such a way that water cannot flow into it, snow or insects cannot fly into it.
Allows excess moisture to evaporate. Vapors saturated with moisture are a product of human activity. They, together with the air, rise upward, cool and condense on the elements of the rafter frame. The thermal insulation layer of a roof made of corrugated sheets, soft tiles or metal tiles loses due to wetting most heat-saving properties, and the wood of the frame rots and becomes moldy. Installing a ventilated ridge solves this problem by opening the air to oxygen and allowing excess moisture to evaporate.

Ventilated ridge on a metal roof

Ridge aerator on a shingle roof

Ventilated ridge on a roller roof

Note! Installation of a ridge with ventilation holes is part of the installation of a forced ventilation system for a roof made of soft tiles, corrugated sheets or metal tiles. In order for ventilation to work, vents are installed in the eaves, places where fresh air is taken from the atmosphere.

Scheme of operation of a ventilated ridge

Installation of a ventilated ridge does not spoil the appearance of the roof; quality installation this element of the ventilation system cannot be seen. To make the installation site look more aesthetically pleasing, a strip of soft tiles or metallic profile, which protects the aerator from exposure to sunlight and penetration of atmospheric moisture.

Operating principle

In the old days, builders did not even think about installing a ventilated ridge, since air naturally circulated through cracks or gaps in building materials and structures. The installation of a modern roof made of metal tiles or corrugated sheets requires almost complete tightness; installation is carried out in the form of a kind of “pie”, which contains a layer of insulation, waterproofing and vapor barrier. This design does not leave a single chink for air, which is why a stuffy, humid microclimate is established inside the house. To solve this problem, it is necessary to develop at the project approval stage high-quality ventilation. Depending on the type of roof, there are 2 options for ventilation systems:

Natural. Natural ventilation is equipped for houses with “cold” roofs in which the attic is not heated. With this design, dormer windows are made in the roof slope, necessary for air circulation. In this case, the unheated attic performs the functions of “ air cushion", insulating heated rooms from cold roof. Installing a ridge with ventilation holes is extremely rare under such circumstances.
Forced. Forced ventilation works on the principle of convection, which states that heated air always rises. Roofs with a heated attic made of metal tiles, corrugated sheets and roll materials equipped with a ridge aerator, as well as eaves vents to force air masses to circulate between the room and the atmosphere. The air flow penetrates the roof structure through the vents, heats up and rises to the ceiling, exiting through the ventilated ridge and making room for fresh air.

Operating principle of a roof ventilation system

Operation of forced roof ventilation

Important! Forced ventilation was developed based on the physical properties of gas. Its operation does not require power sources, since the draft is created according to the law of convection: warm air rises up and cold air falls down. To achieve maximum efficiency of the ventilation system, its elements are placed evenly over the entire area of the roof made of corrugated sheets, metal tiles or rolled materials.

Types of aerators

The design of the ventilation system depends on the area of the slopes, the nature of the use of the under-roof space and the roofing material used. Installation of ventilation for “warm” mansard roofs more difficult and more expensive than for cold ones. To determine the optimal composition and mutual arrangement elements, installation is carried out based on determining the volume of air in the attic. The following types of aerators are used to equip a ventilated ridge:

Note! The simplest and inexpensive way ventilated ridge equipment - use of corrugated ventilation tape. It is sold in rolls, and on the underside of the tape there is a self-adhesive layer with a protective film. To install, you need to remove the protective film, stick the tape on both sides of the ridge, and then install ridge bar made of metal.

Functions

To a non-professional craftsman, ridge ventilation may seem like an unnecessary extravagance and additional cost, but experienced roofers know that this simple measure increases the life of the rafter frame and roof covering. A properly designed and installed ventilation system performs the following tasks:

Optimizes the microclimate in residential premises. Thanks to the constant flow of air saturated with oxygen, the house is always fresh, not stuffy, and a comfortable temperature is maintained.
Increases the service life of the roof covering. Ventilated ridge profile prevents bitumen-based roll materials from swelling from action solar radiation, allows excess moisture to evaporate, which has a beneficial effect on the service life of roofs made of metal tiles and corrugated sheets.
Maintains the healthy condition of the rafter frame and sheathing. Thanks to the aerator, excess moisture evaporates, and the wood of the roof frame does not suffer from rot, mold and mildew.
Does not allow the insulation to get wet. Due to constant air circulation, the insulation is ventilated and remains dry, which maintains the thermal insulation qualities of the material at a high level.
Makes the use of bitumen-based materials safer. Air circulation through aerators eliminates the possibility of penetration of bitumen vapors, which are considered harmful to human health, indoors.

Installation of a ventilated ridge

Note! Dormer windows, installed when organizing natural ventilation, are located half the height of the slope, which is why stagnant zones are formed under the very ridge, where air does not circulate at all. When installing forced ventilation, this problem does not arise, since aerators are installed directly on the ridge connection, which is the highest point of the roof.

Video instruction

The roof ventilation device allows you to avoid the accumulation of moisture in the under-roof space and leaks, to ensure effective ventilation all rooms of the building. A microclimate is created in the house, which reduces heating and air conditioning costs. A TechnoNIKOL roof aerator must be purchased for correct operation roofs. Order delivery throughout Moscow from our company "4 Seasons". Wholesale prices for all TechnoNIKOL ventilation: aerators, valves, ventilation outlets, hoods, passages and elements.

Solid aerator TechnoNIKOL

Applies to ridge roofs slope from 12° to 45°. A continuous aerator is installed directly when installing flexible tiles. Has cover and cover ends that connect when applied, forming a strong and airtight seal. solid structure. Mounted on a ridge aerator ridge-eaves tiles, which makes the element invisible on the roof. Has maximum efficiency in ventilation of the under-roof space 1 pc. for 25 m2.
TechnoNIKOL ridge aerator - Technical sheet (PDF).

TechnoNIKOL point aerator

Point aerators are installed on hip roofs if they are adjacent to a vertical wall (roof slope less than 12°) or if the ridge is not enough to ventilate the entire under-roof space.

	KTV pitched aerator. For use only on roofs covered with flexible tiles. Fixed to the soft roof using pass-through element immediately at the time of laying flexible tiles. It consists of two elements: a pass-through element and a protective plug, and also has a plug with a protective mesh. Almost invisible on the roof. Outlet diameter 110 mm. The ventilation efficiency of the under-roof space is 1 element per 5m2.
	KTV-alpha - TechnoNIKOL point aerator for soft bitumen shingles. An economical option for cable TV for pitched roofs. One product provides ventilation with a volume of 20 m2, provided that the height of the ventilated under-roof space is 5 cm. To protect against precipitation and insects, the aerator is equipped with a protective filter made of reticulated polyurethane foam.
	Aerator Pilot TechnoNIKOL shingles for soft roofing are installed only on roofs covered with flexible tiles. It is fixed with the help of a passage element directly at the moment of laying the flexible tiles. Due to the lower sliding element, during installation it is fixed strictly vertically, regardless of the roof slope. The height of 69 cm provides an additional guarantee against getting under the snow cap, and a special cap is equipped with a system of protection against precipitation. The size of the ventilation outlet is 110 mm, the ventilation efficiency of the under-roof space is 1 element per 5 m2.
	Pilot - ridge aerator is installed only on covered roofs soft tiles. It is fixed to the roof using a passage element directly at the time of laying the flexible tiles. The height of the pipe provides an additional guarantee against getting under the snow cap, and a special cap is equipped with a system of protection against precipitation. The outlet size is 110 mm, the ventilation efficiency of the under-roof space is 1 element per 5 m2.
	The SKAT valve is installed on pitched roofs with a slope of 5° or more with a flat surface directly on the roofing itself, i.e. on an already installed roof. It consists of two elements: a pass-through element and a protective plug, and also has a plug with a protective mesh. It has a seal on the lower surface, which ensures a tight connection with the roof when fixing the Pass-through element with self-tapping screws. Almost invisible on the roof. The diameter of the ventilation outlet is 110 mm. The ventilation efficiency of the under-roof space is 1 element per 5m2.
	The SKAT Monterrey roofing valve from TechnoNIKOL has a modified passage element for installation on metal tiles with a Monterrey profile directly on finished roof. It consists of two elements: a pass-through element and a protective plug, and also has a plug with a protective mesh. It has a seal on the bottom surface, which ensures the tightness of the connection when fixing the Pass-through element with self-tapping screws. Almost invisible on the roof. Outlet diameter 110 mm. The ventilation efficiency of the under-roof space is 1 element per 5m2.

Accessories

	TechnoNIKOL cap. Available for pipes of two diameters: 110 and 160 mm. It is used to give an aesthetic appearance to roofing passage elements, and prevents the ingress of atmospheric precipitation when used in penetrations used for ventilation of the under-roof space. The D110 hood is used in conjunction with the D110 Ventilation Outlet. The D160 hood is used with the D126/160 insulated vent outlet and has corresponding mounting holes.
	The SKAT roofing passage element serves as the basis for the installation of ventilation or sewer outlets. It is used on pitched roofs with a slope of 5° and a flat surface directly on the roofing covering. It has a seal on the bottom surface made of special long-aging rubber, which ensures the tightness of the connection when fixing the Pass-through element with self-tapping screws.
	The SKAT Monterrey passage element serves as the basis for installing ventilation or sewer outlets. Used for installation on metal tiles with Monterrey profile directly on the finished roofing. It has a seal on the bottom surface made of special long-aging rubber, which ensures the tightness of the connection when fixing the Pass-through element with self-tapping screws.
	The TechnoNIKOL passage element (Shinglas) serves as the basis for installing ventilation or sewer outlets on soft roof roofs. It is installed directly at the time of laying flexible tiles. It has a system of grooves aimed at more rigid adhesion through the mastic to the contacting materials.

Internal ventilation

Internal ventilation - to remove extraneous odors from constant human activity and remove sewage waste from the living space.

Ventilation outlet insulated TechnoNIKOL D 125/160 is recommended for installation on the roofs of houses with year-round habitation to ensure ventilation of the sewer system and to remove all odors and vapors generated during cooking. It is not subject to icing even during long frosts thanks to the polyurethane foam insulation. It has a landing skirt on the Pass-through element and a thread on top for fixing the Cap. Installed on any roof using a passage element suitable for this type of roof. The diameter of the inner pipe is 125 mm, the outer one is 160 mm, the pipe height is 500 mm.

The universal antenna and pipe sealant TechnoNIKOL D 90-175 and D 10-70 is designed to make a reliable connection to protruding elements round section on the roof (pipes, antennas, racks, legs). Applies to flat roofs, covered with bitumen roll materials.

The installation of aerators on the roof is necessary, since their presence prevents the destruction of the roofing carpet under the influence of moisture that forms in the under-roof space.

The desire to save on installing roof ventilation leads to many problems: first of all, the roof begins to leak, icicles collect on the eaves, and a damp smell appears in the house. As a result expensive material coatings deteriorate very quickly. The fact is that moisture gets into the thermal insulation layer and the elements of the rafter system.

Decide this problem installation of a roof aerator, which is an artificial ventilation duct. Air circulates through it, drawing out excess moisture and drying the cake structure from the inside.

Reasons for the appearance of moisture in the roofing pie

Manufacturers finishing coatings for roofs they position their materials as airtight, so where does moisture come from in the roofing pie, even though it contains layers of vapor and waterproofing?

Unfortunately, the presence of moist vapors is present in any apartment or house. They are formed as a result of cooking, taking water procedures, washing and breathing of people. According to scientific research, it was found that in houses where a family of 4 people lives, at least 2 liters of water vapor are formed per day. It partially settles in the under-roof space.

When warm steam comes into contact with cold surfaces, condensation forms. As a result, water droplets impregnate the materials and structural elements of the roof into which they can penetrate. First of all, the vapors reach the insulation, rafter system and sheathing.

Another way of moisture penetration is outer side roofs. Warm steam accumulates in the attic and heats the roofing from the inside. The snow that collects on the roof in winter begins to melt. As the air temperature drops, ice forms on the roof, and under certain conditions it can also melt. Water penetrates into the smallest gaps between the joints of the coating and leaks form on the roof.

The roofing material begins to gradually become covered with microcracks into which moisture penetrates. At sub-zero temperatures it freezes and tears the roof finish. The cracks are increasingly increasing and turning into through gaps. As a result, the roofing covering becomes unusable.

What is a roof aerator

This device consists of a pipe with a diameter of 6–11 centimeters made of stainless steel or polypropylene. A cap is installed on top of it, which protects the fan from precipitation getting inside it. The aerator helps dry the thermal insulation layer and accelerates the process of evaporation of condensate.

These devices are used in regions with different weather conditions, since they have good operational parameters and withstand temperature changes over a wide range from +90 to -50 degrees.

The roof aerator for metal tiles and other types of roof coverings is intended for the following purposes:

ventilation of layers of roofing cake;
condensate evaporation;
withdrawal humid air;
preventing processes leading to roof destruction;
preventing leaks from occurring.

The principle of operation of aerators is the appearance of draft in the pipe, which arises due to the low pressure created by external air flows.

Types of roof ventilation devices

According to features design solution, there are several types of roof fans:

Spot. Such devices are mushroom-shaped and equipped with fans. They are installed in a place where access is limited - this may be a complex roof configuration or skylights. Point products are divided into ridge and pitched. The first of them are mounted under the ridge - they are intended to remove condensate and vapors along the entire structure of the ridge. This type of aerator is installed in areas that require increased circulation of air flow.
Continuous. They are placed evenly over the entire roofing surface and thus ensure ventilation of all layers of the “pie”, as well as areas of attics and attics. The most popular continuous aerators are moisture-resistant ventilation tape, which is installed in the waterproofing layer, and a ridge fan.
Turbine. They are produced in the form of a pipe and equipped electric fan or an electric hood. Experts advise giving preference to aluminum products because they are resistant to corrosion and do not change shape when exposed to high temperatures.

When choosing an aerator model, take into account the roof slope. Typically this information can be found on the product packaging.

Choosing an aerator

A certain type of device is used for different roofing coverings. For soft materials, aerators made from weather-resistant and impact-resistant polypropylene are suitable (read also: " "). They are usually placed equidistant from each other at the highest points roofing or at the junction of thermal insulation slabs.

Such a device performs the following functions:

reduces pressure in the under-roof space;
removes steam from the layers of the “pie”;
prevents the appearance of condensation.

The aerator fan housing for metal tiles is made from materials that are resistant to corrosion and aggressive environments, exposure different temperatures and ultraviolet. Polypropylene and stainless steel meet these requirements.

For corrugated sheet coverings, the same materials are used for the deflector body as for metal tile roofs.

Installation of ridge aerators

Installation of devices of this type is simple and there is no need to complex calculations. The ridge aerator is placed along the entire length of the ridge. Experts recommend using this product for roofs with a slope of 12 to 45 degrees. It is mounted exclusively on the ridge and thereby provides air ventilation in the attic space.

Conditions for using the ridge aerator:

In order to ensure air flow, it is necessary to have vents on the eaves.
The device should be mounted along the entire length of the ridge - its segments are connected into a single structure.
Ridge tiles are laid on top of the assembled product, and therefore the appearance of the roof will not be affected by the presence of a fan on it.

The installation of a ridge aerator for metal tiles or soft roofing is carried out in a certain sequence:

To cut the ventilation groove, use a circular saw. There can be either one hole (at the top point of the ridge) or two (on both sides). Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations for a specific aerator model, the total gap thickness should be from 3 to 8 centimeters. The slots are cut so that they do not reach the edge of the ridge by about 30 centimeters. As a result, the roof on its sides is continuous.
In the place on the ridge where the gap was not made, ridge tiles are laid.
They begin to install the aerator: each of its segments is fixed with roofing nails or screws, which are screwed in through ready-made holes made at the manufacturing plant. The individual parts of the product are assembled into a single structure in the same way as is done with the parts of a construction set.
The profile of the ventilation product is covered with ridge tiles - the petals of the roofing material are overlapped. Long special nails are used to attach the covering to the ventilation device.
The places where the ends come into contact with the roof are treated with silicone sealant.

Features of installation of point devices on metal tiles

Aerators of this type are installed:

on flat roofs or on roofs with a slope of less than 12 degrees;
as a complement to another type of device in order to increase ventilation efficiency;
if it is not possible to install a ridge product, for example, because there is no ridge, or there is an abutment of the roofing to walls or vertical surfaces.

Conditions for using a point aerator:

They are mounted on the slopes, maintaining a distance of 50-80 centimeters from the horizontal edge of the ridge.
Air flow must be ensured on overhangs.
One point device can provide high-quality ventilation over an area of up to 5 - 100 square meters of roof, depending on its model. Based on this value, the required number of ventilation products is calculated.

Technology for installing point devices on the roof:

IN continuous lathing make a hole whose dimensions must match the parameters of the internal channel of the aerator. To do this, apply the base skirt of the device to the surface of a sheet of plywood or OSB board and, through the passage channel, mark the contours of the gap on the roof with a nail or pencil. Using a jigsaw, cut a hole along the drawn line.
The skirt of the device is placed on top of it and secured with screws or roofing nails in an amount of at least 6 pieces. Some manufacturing companies recommend using adhesive fixation in addition to fasteners. In this case, bitumen mastic is applied to the back surface of the skirt, glued, and then only the parts for fastening are used.
To waterproof the junction areas, bitumen glue is used over the skirt.
Shingles of tiles, trimmed at the points of contact, cover the skirt.
An aerator mesh is placed on top of it and secured with self-tapping screws. Then they install the cap (lid), snap it on and again use self-tapping screws for fastening.

Other point aerators for the roof are installed in a similar way according to the calculations made, which will ultimately amount to unified system ventilation.

As can be seen from the above information, the installation of such devices is not difficult work- inexperienced self-taught craftsmen can easily handle it.

Thanks to the presence of aerators on the roofs, water vapor is removed from the roofing pie, the formation of condensation and the spread of fungus and mold are prevented, unpleasant odor. The absence of these unfavorable factors has a positive effect on the service life of wooden roofing elements and on the state of the microclimate in residential and utility rooms Houses.

How to install a roofing aerator on bitumen shingles and soft roofing. Installation ridge point valve ktv.

To install a roof vent you must:

roofing nails with a wide head, which are used for installing soft roofing (bitumen shingles);
bitumen roofing adhesive (roofing mastic);
electric jigsaw, spatula.

Installation of a ridge point valve

The aerator is installed at a distance of no more than 1.0 meters from the roof ridge line, according to the rule “the higher, the better.” It is desirable that the upper edge of the KTV flashing be located 2 cm below the ridge tiles (approximately 20 cm from the ridge to the top of the flashing).

Using a hammer, roofing nails punch out evenly in three circles relative to the ventilation hole of the flashing.

Sizing

After the flashing is installed, it should be glued with roofing bitumen glue.

You can glue it either gradually as the aerator passes through the roof, or after the aerator flashing is covered.

To do this, when installing the roof in the areas of the aerators, the roof is nailed so that it is possible to unfold the roofing tiles and glue the aerator flashing.

Apply bitumen adhesive using a spatula in a minimal layer.

Coat the entire flashing and the joint between the flashing and the roof. After applying the glue, the bitumen tiles are installed. It is important that nails do not get into the flashing. punching nails in the right places.

Afterwards, the aerator mesh is placed on the flashing, which is screwed onto the flashing with three self-tapping screws (one at the bottom and two at the top of the aerator). Manufacturers usually put marks on the aerator mesh for scrolling. On the back of the aerator mesh there is a special spike on which the aerator cover is placed. Put the lid on, snap it on and screw it to the mesh with two self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws should be no longer than 35 mm, so as not to make holes in the roof.

Famous folk wisdom says that every man must build a house, raise a son and plant a tree. If the last two points are a little easier to implement, then with the construction of a house things are more complicated. The main attribute of any building, be it a dacha, a barn or administrative building, is the roof. She will protect the house from rain and from summer heat. But the variety of roofing materials makes owners think about what fits better. And when all doubts are cast aside and the material is chosen, the main thing is small: correct design.

What is a ridge aerator?

Cost and quality now play a big role in choosing roofing materials. Most often used or bitumen. It is resistant to temperature changes, retains heat well and has a reasonable price.

During its installation, a vapor barrier is used, which should retain the heat coming out from inside the house and protect it from rain and snow from outside in case of damage to the outer layer. But like anyone plastic material, it tends to accumulate condensation.

To prevent the accumulation of moisture from leading to damage to the wood used during the construction of the roof, it is worth using a special plastic or metal device with many holes or a built-in mesh to remove hot air, called a “ridge aerator.”

Types of aerators

Depending on the roofing material and type of roofs, several types of aerators can be used:

A single aerator is placed pointwise across the entire surface of the roof, this is especially true for isolated and hard-to-reach places. They are divided into ridge and pitched.
A continuous aerator looks like a long plastic or metal strip, which is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the slope.
The turbine aerator appeared on the market not so long ago; it looks like a pipe with a built-in fan. This hood allows you to remove hot air outside much more efficiently.

For roofs covered with metal-plastic, metal constructions with a special coating that easily withstands corrosion and temperature changes. Metal aerators are easily attached to any part of the roof.

The ridge aerator is made from high-quality polyurethane, which can withstand heat up to +90 C and cold down to -40 C. Such parts must be impact-resistant. Most often they are installed at the junction of the upper edges of the slopes.

Is it possible to do it yourself?

In order to understand whether you need a roof aerator or not, you should consult with a specialist. After all, it is most convenient to install these devices while laying the roof. At this time, it is easier to take into account the characteristics of the material, the depth of the protective layer and possible additional insulation.

But if it happens that there is already a roof, and additional work are still necessary, you can try to do it yourself.

The easiest option is to install a ridge aerator. The layer of bitumen squares covering the ridge will have to be removed. Install a ribbon ridge aerator made of plastic or metal under it. Such a corner with many holes and meshes will lift the roofing material at the junction of the slopes. All hot air will rise freely and exit through the holes, preventing condensation from forming.

Things are more complicated with point aerators. Required for installation accurate calculations diameter of the recess for the base of the aerator. If you make it too large, you will have to use additional material for compaction.

First, you need to circle the size of the base of the point aerator with a pencil. Using a jigsaw or other tool, make a hole, insert the skirt and secure with nails, screws or adhesive. Bituminous glue is applied to the top of the skirt and the tiles are laid so that there are no holes left.

But it is worth remembering that point aerators are installed on flat roofs or with a slope of no more than 12 degrees.

What happens if you don't install an aerator?

Ridge aerator - required part for roofs covered with soft tiles and more. If you are still thinking about the advisability of such an acquisition, then it is worth noting: it is worth it. If you save a small amount now, you'll end up spending a lot more later on replacing your entire roof.

Consequences:

Rotten beams and ceilings.
Increased humidity in residential areas.
Reproduction of mold fungi in the insulation and on the walls of the building.
Bulging and cracks in roofing material.

If you don’t yet know what a ridge aerator for a soft roof looks like, photos are presented in this material.

But it's worth remembering that this device installed in conjunction with soffits that promote air flow. A ventilation system consisting of spotlights and an aerator will create an excellent microclimate in your home.