Barn Venting

[firecadet613]

INGO helped fix my hot attic...now let's move on to the hot barn!

Zero venting in this barn and aside from this small vent on the backside, it's sealed up (and hot / humid inside) as it gets the evening sun.



I will be putting in a new window over the entry door in a few weeks but want to add ventilation ASAP.

I originally bought a few of these plastic vents to install, but now I'm thinking of just adding one or two of these down low on the sides for air intake, and a ridge vent on the roof?

 

[rhamersley]

Boy, you’re just full of hot air, ain’t ya?

 

[Jaybird1980]

What does the barn get used for and is the attic space open or is it 2 floors?

Trusses or rafters?

A pic of the inside attic space would help

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I thought this was going to be a thread about barn complaints.

 

[model1994]

there are solar powered vent fans that have interested me for the same purposes, both attic and barn spaces.

 

[Mongo59]

I thought we were to shoot holes in it from the title. I guess you want us to use other tools now. (As I put the 45-70 away...)

 

[Ark]

Principles are all the same except for the expectation of an insulated living area. Being a barn, I'd go all passive with ridge vents. No soffits, so just stick the intakes wherever?

 

[firecadet613]

Boy, you’re just full of hot air, ain’t ya?

Isn't that the truth!!

What does the barn get used for and is the attic space open or is it 2 floors?

Trusses or rafters?

A pic of the inside attic space would help

Rafters, similar to this. There is a 2nd floor and right now just storage for odds and ends, but it'll likely get used more in the future.

Principles are all the same except for the expectation of an insulated living area. Being a barn, I'd go all passive with ridge vents. No soffits, so just stick the intakes wherever?

Correct, no soffits. The first floor gets very warm as well, so I'm thinking down low on the first floor, a few inches above the floor?

 

[Ark]

Correct, no soffits. The first floor gets very warm as well, so I'm thinking down low on the first floor, a few inches above the floor?

I'd go higher to avoid the temptation of wildlife intrusion. Critters down at ground level will want to claw their way in. But either way it's probably going to pull air from the door gaps and the bottom of the walls. It's just a barn.

 

[BigRed]

INGO helped fix my hot attic...now let's move on to the hot barn!

Zero venting in this barn and aside from this small vent on the backside, it's sealed up (and hot / humid inside) as it gets the evening sun.

View attachment 281427 View attachment 281429 View attachment 281430

I will be putting in a new window over the entry door in a few weeks but want to add ventilation ASAP.

I originally bought a few of these plastic vents to install, but now I'm thinking of just adding one or two of these down low on the sides for air intake, and a ridge vent on the roof?

View attachment 281428

How old were you when you could ride a bike without training wheels?

 

[firecadet613]

How old were you when you could ride a bike without training wheels?

I was Big Red years old when that happened .

Surely you've heard the phrase, measure twice, cut once...

 

[Jaybird1980]

Isn't that the truth!!


Rafters, similar to this. There is a 2nd floor and right now just storage for odds and ends, but it'll likely get used more in the future.

View attachment 281471


Correct, no soffits. The first floor gets very warm as well, so I'm thinking down low on the first floor, a few inches above the floor?

I would treat the attic space separate from the lower level.

I would put a cupola (maybe 2 depending on size) and gable vents on each end up higher. Sounds like you will have a functioning window, one on each end would really increase airflow during summer.

For reference.

 

[firecadet613]

I would treat the attic space separate from the lower level.

I would put a cupola (maybe 2 depending on size) and gable vents on each end up higher. Sounds like you will have a functioning window, one on each end would really increase airflow during summer.

For reference.
View attachment 281503

Good thought!

I'll research it a bit more and see. Regardless, I'll likely hire out the install...that damn gambrel roof looks like it'd be a PITA to stay on.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Getting up there is the pita, they're pretty eay walking on the upper section.

I have seen a fan installed into a cupola before also, so that's something to keep in mind for the future if need be.

Something similar to this, but the one I saw was just a attic fan like you just installed with the cover taken off. He had it on a switch and used it to vent fumes when he was welding or painting. Worked well.

 

[firecadet613]

Getting up there is the pita, they're pretty eay walking on the upper section.

I have seen a fan installed into a cupola before also, so that's something to keep in mind for the future if need be.

Something similar to this, but the one I saw was just a attic fan like you just installed with the cover taken off. He had it on a switch and used it to vent fumes when he was welding or painting. Worked well.

View attachment 281592

Really good idea!

I have a feeling it'll be my project space.

 

[firecadet613]

A cupola may be the ticket!

I think back to swapping the roof vent for an attic fan and how warm/hot air was pouring out. A cupola should work the same way and a switchable fan for while I'm working on there would be icing on the cake.

Thanks @Jaybird1980!

I'll update this thread once I finalize plans and get it in.

 

[Jaybird1980]

A cupola may be the ticket!

I think back to swapping the roof vent for an attic fan and how warm/hot air was pouring out. A cupola should work the same way and a switchable fan for while I'm working on there would be icing on the cake.

Thanks @Jaybird1980!

I'll update this thread once I finalize plans and get it in.

Just remember to add vents for intake air, and if the build is 40' or more I would recommend 2 cupolas.

Any good pole barn builders in the area should be able to help you out if you need it.