Moisture-Safe Cold Attics in Humid Climates of Europe and North America

Richter, Jan; Staněk, Kamil; Tywoniak, Jan; Kopecký, Pavel

doi:10.3390/en13153856

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Gupta et al [2] investigated the attic space from the point of view of parametric factors, of DOI: 10.2478/sspjce-2022-0001 thermal technology, and ultimately the theory that heat transfer inside the building is the most complicated for the attic space was confirmed. It is necessary to design an attic resistant to moisture [3] and well ventilated [4]. Ventilation is important both for the removal of moisture in the winter during heating and in case of excessive overheating and the effect of solar energy in the summer [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Katunský

Vertaľ

Zozuláková

et al. 2022

Selected Scientific Papers - Journal of Civil Engineering

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The presented study deals with the space located in the attic of an older building after reconstruction. Originally, the attic space was not used, as it did not have sufficient headroom. The reconstruction was designed in such a way that the entire original pitched roof was gradually raised by 1.2 meters in parts, creating a full-fledged space under the pitched pitched roof. The visual connection of the interior space with the exterior was ensured by continuous strips of vertical windows around the perimeter of the building, each window measuring 600x600 mm. The space is also illuminated by several skylights at roof level, which, although they ensure sufficient penetration of daylight from above into the interior, at the same time allow for considerably unpleasant overheating. The task was to find a way to optimize the size of transparent surfaces and determine the accumulation of building structures in order to achieve an acceptable cumulative effect of daylight and overheating, i.e., permissible increase in indoor air temperature in summer. It means trying to theoretically design a suitable and comfortable interior space in the attic in an already existing building.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Katunský

Vertaľ

Zozuláková

et al. 2022

Selected Scientific Papers - Journal of Civil Engineering

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“…They performed thermal-humidity simulations of ventilated and unventilated attics under extreme conditions and found that unventilated attics are at higher risk of dampness. It is therefore necessary to design an attic that is resistant to moisture [5] and well ventilated [6]. Ventilation is very important to remove moisture during heating in the winter and also during excessive overheating and exposure to solar energy in the summer [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutual Interaction of Daylight and Overheating in the Attic Space in Summer Time

et al. 2022

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The classroom space located in the attic of an old building is the subject of this study. The building was renovated and new spaces were created in the unused attic to expand classrooms. The original space under the sloping roof was not used because its internal headroom was not suitable. During the restoration, the entire original truss was raised gradually (in parts) by 1.2 m. This created a space with an entire area that can be used for classrooms. Continuous strips of vertical windows measuring 860/600 mm were installed in the space which enable a visual connection between the interior space and the exterior. At roof level, there are also two rows of skylights above each other which ensure enough daylight is present but create unpleasant overheating in the summer. The purpose of this study is to find a way to optimize the shading of transparent surfaces and the heat accumulation of building structures in order to achieve suitable interior conditions in the attic. This task was achieved by shading the windows in the attic. Shaded windows decrease illumination by 82% compared to unshaded ones. The percentage decrease in illumination is more significant than the decrease in the maximum temperature due to overheating. Additionally, the maximum temperature in the attic drops by only 31% if vertical and skylight windows are shaded with external blinds compared to unshaded windows. The minimum air temperature reached in the attic also drops by 26%. In order for users in the attic space to feel comfortable, it is necessary to use HVAC equipment in addition to the design of suitably built structures and window shading.

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“…Moisture intrusion in these naturally ventilated, cold attics can be attributed to outdoor air in times of high humidities and, primarily, infiltration of moist air from the indoor environment, which causes raised levels of concern [4]. The infiltration of humid air to the attic from the dwelling is primarily attributed to convection through leakages in the airtight plane [5,6], which in these houses is located in the ceiling, but diffusion through the construction also occurs [7]. Leakages occur through cracks, insufficiently tight hatches and joints-all of which should be minimized in order to reduce the convection and associated moisture transport to the attic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Note that some measurements from house 22 exhibit excess moisture up to 16 g/m 3 in single measurements. Top: houses with vapour barriers(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19), bottom: houses without vapour barriers(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30).…”

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confidence: 99%

Danish Dwellings with Cold Attics—Ventilation Rates and Air Exchange between Attic and Dwelling

Hansen

2021

Buildings

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Naturally ventilated cold attics are traditional in many Danish single-family homes. The moisture balance of these attics is dependent on sufficient ventilation for removal of excess moisture. Moisture is generated in the dwelling below, and transported to attic spaces through convection and diffusion. Therefore, airtight ceilings are vital for reduction of excess moisture, which may yield mould growth in the attic. If mould spores migrate to the dwelling it can cause risk of health concerns for occupants. The presents study includes analysis of tracer gas and temperature/relative humidity measurements, in 30 dwellings/attics. The measurements yielded results of both air change rates in attics and dwellings, as well as air exchange between the two zones. Four of 30 houses, met the recommended air change rate of 0.5 h−1, and only in summer. The air change rate in the attics was found to be higher, and with larger variation compared to the dwelling. Visible mould growth was found in three attics, which all exhibited low air change rates. Air exchange between zones occurred in houses both with and without vapour barriers. The downward air exchange in summer, was however slightly larger in cases without vapour barriers. These results highlight the importance of airtight ceilings for both dwelling and attic performance.

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Moisture-Safe Cold Attics in Humid Climates of Europe and North America

Cited by 8 publications

References 33 publications

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Mutual Interaction of Daylight and Overheating in the Attic Space in Summer Time

Danish Dwellings with Cold Attics—Ventilation Rates and Air Exchange between Attic and Dwelling

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