Proper air circulation is critical for your shed, especially if you’re using your shed as a carport. Without proper ventilation, cars can experience a dangerous build-up of heat and humidity, causing the lead plates inside the car battery to corrode and potentially reduce its lifespan. Maintaining a comfortable environment in your shed or portable workshop can also lead you to use it more, helping you get more value out of your investment.

How Many Vents Should Your Shed Have?

For every 150 square feet of ceiling space, you should have one roof vent. Because most one to two-car carports range around 400 to 720 square feet in size, you’ll need multiple vents to adequately ventilate the space. There are a few different ventilation options to choose from, and what type will work best for you can vary.

What Is the Best Ventilation Option for My Shed?

Ridge Vents

Ridge vents are exhaust vents that are installed on your roof’s peak by cutting an air slot at the top and covering it with the ridge vent, which has a triangular appearance that blends into your roof line. Ridge vents blend so seamlessly into your shed’s architecture that they’re practically invisible, making them ideal for homeowners who don’t want their shed’s ventilation to detract from its clean-looking exterior.

The air slot created for these vents enables natural and continuous ventilation that can improve your shed’s indoor air quality. It allows hot air to escape from the top of the shed, creating an upward airflow that enhances ventilation. This is in contrast to a downward airflow, which is prime for air stagnation, heat build-up and mold growth.

Ridge vents are only suitable if your shed has an unbroken ridge line. It isn’t effective if your shed’s roof has less than a three-inch incline at its peak, like flat and hip roofs.

One drawback of ridge vents is that they have an elevated risk of leaks. The open air slots can make your shed vulnerable to leaking during heavy storms, which Panama City gets an ample amount of. While baffles can help redirect airflow to limit this possibility, if you live in an area with frequent downpours, it may not be worth the risk.

Gable Vents

Gable vents are installed at the flat, triangular end of gable roofs and are the standard ventilation choice. They’re designed to allow air to flow in and out of your shed, creating a continual intake of fresh air that keeps your indoor temperature and humidity levels low. Because there are typically at least two vents installed – one for each end of your shed – gable vents have a stronger potential for cross ventilation that can provide consistent air circulation.

However, because gable vents rely on natural airflow, they may not be as strong as other ventilation options. This can especially be the case during the peak summer months when the air outside is as humid and stagnant as your shed, if not more so. Gable vents will typically work best when coupled with other ventilation methods.

Cupolas

While ridge vents hide within your shed’s design, cupolas can elevate it. Cupolas are aesthetic, dome-like structures mounted on top of your shed’s roof. They contain slotted openings that create an upward draft to release hot air and reduce moisture like ridge vents – albeit with less efficiency due to being much bigger in size. Nowadays, cupolas are typically more decorative than functional, but they can still provide much-needed ventilation for buildings.

Ultimately, there isn’t an objective best option for sheds. What will work best will depend on your structure and how you intend to use it. You may even end up using a combination of different ventilation options to manage the climate in your shed. The experts at Bestway Portable Buildings Inc. will guide you through the design process and make ventilation suggestions based on how you plan to use the shed or what you want to store in it.

Design a Custom Portable Carport With the Experienced Craftsmen at Bestway Portable Buildings Inc.

At Bestway Portable Buildings Inc., we’ll work hard and fast to deliver a high-quality carport for your home so you can protect your stored vehicles and other personal property from the sometimes harsh Panama City weather. Residents in Panama City have depended on our custom building design and construction services for over 30 years. We take pride in our work and will bring the same fierce dedication to your portable building project.

Get a free quote today by calling (850) 747-8974.