Choosing the Right Ventilation for Your Metal Building

Where you build, how tall, and what color are all things you need to have decided on before you break ground, but perhaps one of your metal building’s most essential aspects is deciding on the right ventilation system. Thankfully, the qualified and trained design consultants from Boss Buildings are ready to walk you through the process. But before we get into specifics, we first must understand why ventilation is a crucial aspect of construction. Ventilation Systems   Ventilation Systems and You By nature, metal buildings are inclined to retain condensation and heat than non-metal buildings. This is why proper, reliable ventilation systems play such an important role. They’re necessary to reduce humidity, maintain airflow, and regulate indoor temperature. Ventilation Works   How Ventilation Works? Before we get into the various kinds of ventilation systems to choose from, first, let’s go over the basics of what they do. At their core, ventilation systems regulate airflow. Air circulation displaces excess heat and moisture, moving fresh air to create a comfortable, cool atmosphere indoors. The heat and humidity rises and escapes through a vent or exhaust fan. Insulation also plays a vital role in controlling temperature, it can stifle airflow. Proper insulation prevents the transmission of heat through your metal building’s walls. How Much Ventilation Do You Need? Most buildings utilize the general rule of one square foot vent opening for every 150 square feet of roof. But general rules don’t always cover all aspects of a particular building. How much ventilation required is going to depend on your building’s size, what it’s used for, and the humidity levels in your area. Depending on those factors, there are two general types of ventilation: passive (unpowered) and mechanical (powered). Both are made up of louvered or ridged vents. They are usually chosen for their energy efficiency and lower overall cost, as operating is virtually free. For some purposes, such as manufacturing or livestock, passive ventilation may not produce enough airflow. This is especially true in areas with high humidity. In those instances, louvers can be replaced with supply fans and ridged vents with exhaust to maximize airflow. Types of Vents We’ve already mentioned a few in passing, but there are three main types of vents that are most commonly used in steel buildings . Most people don’t just stick with one, and use a combination of them to create cross-ventilation. § Ridge Vents The name says it all. Ridge vents are attached to the roof’s top ridge to let the hot air escape. Typically available in all colors to match, they’re also pre-formed to match the roof’s pitch for easy installation. Usually, they include a rain cap and a screen to prevent rain and vermin from getting in. They certainly offer maximum ventilation, which is why they’re a bit more expensive than the other options. § C