| Depending on your house interior and roof framing | | | | installed on top of the finished ceiling. "Twist" is for |
| design, cathedral ceiling ventilation can be treated | | | | extreme conditions, which in regular attic are |
| as an independent or attic ventilation related | | | | easier to spot, and much cheaper to correct. |
| condition. | | | | 1. Insulation - if properly installed between the |
| Majority of problems with cathedral ceilings | | | | rafters, on top of the ceiling material (drywall, |
| develop in structures where the ceiling framing, | | | | plaster, paneling sheets, etc.), there should be |
| and roof framing are the same. What it means, | | | | approximately 2" of space left above it. This |
| that there's no accessible attic between the ceiling | | | | space allows air to flow between the bottom and |
| and roof surface, only narrow, rafter / truss | | | | top of the roof. |
| space which should be partially filled with insulation. | | | | Ideal installation would include vent chutes / |
| In some homes, there is a partial attic, and you | | | | baffles, secured to roof decking, which ensures |
| can see / look into the ceiling structure from | | | | proper insulation spacing and undisturbed air flow |
| accessible part. "Safer" (from the cathedral ceiling | | | | (critical in cold climates). |
| ventilation point of view) types of vaulted ceilings | | | | Contractors who misunderstand principles of |
| are the ones, which have a separate from roof | | | | proper attic ventilation, never use vent chutes, |
| framing structure, which allows air to circulate | | | | use more or thicker insulation than required, |
| more freely. | | | | packing it tightly into the rafter space, blocking |
| But let's talk about this first type. Depending on | | | | completely air flow, and causing... costly |
| severity of the cathedral ceiling ventilation | | | | "headaches". |
| problem, you may, or may not see its | | | | 2. Roof bottom vents - because each rafter |
| consequences for a long time. | | | | space is like a small, individual attic, it needs fresh |
| Some of the conditions, you'd be noticing are: | | | | air feed, which in most cases comes from roof |
| - roof surface deformation above the cathedral | | | | overhang - soffit. With a variety of roof soffit |
| ceiling section of your house, | | | | designs, it is hard to suggest any particular type |
| - moisture stains on the cathedral ceiling surface, | | | | of vent, but continues one would probably cover |
| - moisture dripping from recessed light fixtures or | | | | all possibilities and ensure that each rafter space |
| electrical boxes on the cathedral ceiling, | | | | will receive fresh air. If there's no overhang / |
| - moisture / water stains stains along the top | | | | soffit, "vented drip edge" can be utilized. |
| section of the window located in the wall | | | | 3. Roof top vents - depending on how your |
| supporting lower end of cathedral ceiling, | | | | vaulted ceiling ends, different types of vents |
| - dark stains (also known as ghost marks). | | | | would be required: - if it goes all the way to the |
| All of the above conditions are curable, but | | | | roof top / ridge / peak, where other side of |
| depending on the extent of damage, it might get | | | | cathedral ceiling starts, the only type of vent that |
| expensive (lack of proper attic ventilation is a | | | | should be installed is a ridge vent. |
| main cause of mold growth and ice damming). | | | | Some roofers prefer static roof louver vents, and |
| Basic principle for cathedral ceiling ventilation is | | | | if installed between every two rafters, it will do |
| pretty much the same as for any attic with a | | | | the job - but it doesn't look nice, especially when |
| "twist" to it. | | | | you have a long ridge line. |
| To prevent possibility of moisture condensation, | | | | If your cathedral ceiling vents into an open attic, |
| you need constant air movement between the | | | | any type of a properly installed vent will do, as |
| bottom and top of the roof, through the space | | | | long as it provides adequate output. |
| between rafters / above the insulation layer | | | | |