If you spend a lot of time in your shed working on projects, then proper ventilation is a must! Whether you are repairing motorized equipment, fixing household items, or crafting wooden items, it is essential to have plenty of fresh air moving around you. Right now, you may be wondering if it is necessary to vent a shed, and if so, why that is?
A shed need ventilation in order to have a proper airflow that will prevent mold and mildew. If you are storing or working with combustibles like pressurized paint cans, solvents, or gasoline, then you must ventilate your shed to allow toxic fumes to escape. Other reasons why you would want to ventilate your shed is to disperse excess heat in the summer and/or prevent moisture build-up in the winter.
Now that you the reasons why it is necessary to ventilate your shed, let us explore this topic further and in more detail below. We will discuss how to properly vent a shed and what the best-manufactured shed vent is.
So, if you are ready to learn more, then please read onward…
Why Should You Vent a Shed?
Proper ventilation in a shed is necessary for both your comfort and your safety.
If you work with and/or store gasoline and other combustible liquids in your shed, then you must have fresh air moving about to prevent you from inhaling toxins that could make you ill.
The ventilation system provides a two-fold purpose – allowing clean air while filtering harmful fumes out.
Ventilation is also key to preventing mold and mildew from forming in your shed.
If you live in a humid region or one that gets very cold in the wintertime, then you must vent your shed to keep stale air from becoming trapped inside the structure.
This stale air leads to moisture buildup which often results in the growth of mold spores.
These spores can be dangerous and lead to headaches and breathing problems.
Venting your shed is also necessary if you live in a hot region where temperatures can sore above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime.
Moving excess heat out is imperative if you want to work inside the structure for extended periods of time.
Without ventilation, the shed will become unbearably (even dangerously) hot, not to mention smelly – due to stale air and odors that are trapped inside.
What is the Best Way to Vent a Shed?
Installing vents on the roof and/or walls of the shed is the best way to ventilate it.
Leaving the door and/or windows open for as long as possible when you are working inside the structure is another idea.
If your shed is quite large, you may need to invest in a powered vent whereby the motorized fan turns on and off with the flick of a switch!
How Do You Vent a Shed?
To ventilate a small shed, simply leaving the door and/or windows open while working in it is often enough.
However, a better year-round solution would be to install a passive ventilation system.
Simply determine the typical wind direction in your area and place the vent high up on that side of the gable wall.
Be sure the vent is mesh-backed to keep birds and bugs out!
For even better airflow, consider placing a second vent on the opposite gable wall as well.
If you have a windowless shed, you can install venting roof lights instead.
They are made with strong, opaque plastic like that of a caravan roof vent.
Lightweight and easy to install, they allow for both air circulation and fume removal while preventing critters from getting inside and making a home in your shed.
To ventilate a large shed, you can try installing a ‘whirligig.’
These contraptions sit on top of your shed roof and use wind power to try hot air up and out of the structure.
They are quite big and should be positioned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In most cases, these units work best when placed near the apex in the center of the roof.
Another option for ventilating a large shed includes installing an electric fan.
All you need to do is fix this device onto one gable wall and place a static vent into the opposite wall.
Whenever you need airflow, simply turn the switch on and voila! This unit works great for when you are mixing paint, using solvents, or pouring gasoline.
Another solution would be to install a thermostat-controlled fan which turns on and off automatically in response to ambient temperature fluctuations.
How Do You Install a Shed Vent?
To install a wall vent, simply cut a hole in the siding to match the size of the vent.
Next, attach the outside flange using a strong adhesive or screws. Then, caulk the edges.
For best results, you should install two vents, across from each other on opposite walls.
Installing a turtle vent or louver to the roof is a little more complicated, yet fairly easy to install overall.
The necessary steps include the following:
- Get on top of the structure – be careful!
- Check the spacing and location of the rafters – measure to the middle of the space between the rafters.
- Measure and drill a pilot hole.
- Cut the hole for the vent to sit into.
- Use a flat bar and lift off the top shingle and any nails.
- Coat the bottom of the flange with a water-proof adhesive.
- Use the nails to secure it in place.
- Seal the outside edges.
Turtle vents are inexpensive (around $25 each) and work great on ridge roofs.
They effectively remove heat and moisture from the upper area of the structure which makes for a safer, more comfortable working environment.
The possible downside to using turtle vents is that – because you need to cut a hole in your roof for the vent to sit in – you could end up with a leak, if not sealed properly.
As well, these units do not ventilate the entire roof area and you will likely need to purchase more than one.
Do You Need a Ridge Vent on a Shed?
A ridge vent is indeed necessary on a shed, especially if you live in a hot climate.
It works to pull in cooler air from the soffits while venting out hot air that rises and collects from near the roof.
It is far more effective than gable vents – which do not remove excess moisture trapped along the ridge and only work when the wind is blowing.
What is the Best Shed Vent?
Purchasing and installing a prefabricated shed vent is a great way to keep your storage unit ventilated while preventing insect and bird infiltration.
The Duraflo 621212 Gable Vent 12-inch by 12-inch unit is one such example and is both affordable and easy to install.
It is UV resistant, CSA approved, and very functional. It also comes in a smaller 8-inch by 8-inch model.
Check it out today – available online through Amazon.
Conclusion
To conclude, whether (or not) to vent a shed depends upon where you live, how big the shed is, and what you keep inside of it.
If you are storing combustible or toxic items like paint cans, solvents, or gasoline, then you must ventilate your shed to keep the surrounding environment safe.
If you live in a hot climate, you will want to ventilate your shed to disperse any excess heat which can make space unbearable to work in.
If you live in a cold climate, then you will want to ventilate your shed to prevent moisture from building up and causing mold and mildew to form.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this article and found it to be both interesting and informative. Good luck ventilating your shed!
Cheers, tools owners!
