- Q.How should a "diamond" hip
roof (one with four hip rafters rising to a point) be
ventilated?
A.I would recommend
continuous soffit vent on all four sides, and
hooded roof vents near the peak on three slopes.
The front-facing slope usually does not have a
vent, for appearance. If there’s a
cathedral ceiling interior, holes can be drilled
through the hip rafters to access the three other
vents, provided you don’t compromise the
strength of the rafters. While this arrangement
does not provide equal high and low venting, it is
about the best that can be done. The stack effect,
created by having all of the vents in one area, is
usually enough to move sufficient air. It is
essential that there be an air barrier and vapor
retarder in the ceiling, and that all exhaust fans
be vented through the roof or out the walls, to
minimize the attic moisture problem.