Roofing ventilation systems and methods

Abstract

A ventilation structure is provided for use with a roof comprising a longitudinal or transverse opening defined by a roof deck. The ventilation structure comprises a base portion defining a central ventilation channel and a venting portion coupled to the base portion. The venting portion has a proximate end and first and second distal ends, wherein the venting portion defines first and second passages, the first passage extending from the proximate end to the first distal end and the second passage extending from the proximate end to the second distal end. The venting portion defines first and second ventilation panels at the first and second distal ends, respectively, whereby air flows from the central ventilation channel through the first and second ventilation panels.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A ventilation structure for use with a roof comprising a longitudinal or transverse opening defined by a roof deck comprising: 
 a base portion defining a central ventilation channel; and    a venting portion coupled to the base portion, the venting portion having a proximate end and first and second distal ends, wherein the venting portion defines first and second passages, wherein the first passage extends from the proximate end to the first distal end and the second passage extends from the proximate end to the second distal end, and wherein the venting portion defines first and second venting panels at the first and second distal ends, respectively, whereby air flows from the central ventilation channel through the first and second venting panels.    
     
     
         2 . The ventilation structure of    claim 1   , wherein the base portion comprises first and second mounting flanges for mounting the ventilation structure to the roof deck.  
     
     
         3 . The ventilation structure of    claim 2   , wherein the base portion comprise substantially parallel side walls, and wherein the first and second mounting flanges extend substantially laterally from the first and second side walls, respectively.  
     
     
         4 . The ventilation structure of    claim 3   , further comprising at least one cant secured to the base portion that extends from one of the first and second flanges to the corresponding first or second side wall.  
     
     
         5 . The ventilation structure of    claim 4   , further comprising a layer of insulating material formed over the cant to provide a curved incline sloping away from the base portion.  
     
     
         6 . The ventilation structure of    claim 1   , wherein the first and second venting panels comprise ventilation openings.  
     
     
         7 . The ventilation structure of    claim 6   , wherein the venting panel further comprises a screening material formed over the ventilation opening.  
     
     
         8 . The ventilation structure of    claim 6   , wherein at least one of the ventilation openings comprises a perforation formed substantially laterally through the venting panel.  
     
     
         9 . A ventilation structure for use on a roof comprising a longitudinal or transverse opening defined by a roof deck containing laterally displaced vertical extensions, the ventilation structure comprising: 
 first and second opposed rain closures attached to the roof deck, each rain closure comprising a face and upper and lower flanges extending from opposite ends of the face, wherein each rain closure extends between the laterally displaced vertical extensions of the roof deck, and wherein the lower flange of each rain closure is attached to the roof deck;    first and second opposed venting panels corresponding to first and second rain closures respectively, each venting panel comprising a second face disposed between upper and lower extensions, wherein the second face of each venting panel contains a ventilation opening that allows air to pass therethrough, and wherein the lower extensions of the first and second venting panels are attached to the corresponding upper flanges of the first and second rain closures; and    a ventilation cap attached to the upper extensions of the first and second venting panels, wherein the ventilation cap extends over the upper extensions of the venting panels.    
     
     
         10 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , wherein at least one of the first and second venting panels is attached to the rain closure such that the face of the venting panel is offset from the face of the rain closure.  
     
     
         11 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , further comprising a plurality of venting panels.  
     
     
         12 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , wherein at least one venting panel comprises a plurality of ventilation openings.  
     
     
         13 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , wherein the ventilation opening comprises a perforation formed laterally through a face of the ventilation cap.  
     
     
         14 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , wherein the venting panel further comprises a screening material formed over the ventilation opening.  
     
     
         15 . The ventilation structure of    claim 8   , where the venting panel and the ventilation cap comprise a unitary structure.  
     
     
         16 . A method for providing ventilation to an attic defined by a roof, wherein the roof comprises a longitudinal or transverse opening defined by a roof deck containing laterally displaced vertical extensions, the method comprising: 
 securing first and second rain closures, each rain closure comprising a face and upper and lower flanges extending from opposite ends of the face, to the roof deck on opposing sides of the longitudinal or transverse opening by attaching the lower flange of each rain closure to the roof deck;    securing first and second venting panels, each venting panel comprising a second face disposed between upper and lower extensions, to the first and second rain closures respectively by attaching the lower extensions of the venting panels to the upper flanges of the respective rain closures, wherein each venting panel face contains a ventilation opening that allows air to pass therethrough; and    securing a ventilation cap to the upper extensions of the first and second venting panels, wherein the ventilation cap extends over the upper extensions of the venting panels, whereby air flows through the roof opening through the ventilation openings in the first and second venting panel faces.    
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 16   , wherein the ventilation opening comprises a perforation formed laterally through a face of the ventilation cap.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 16   , wherein the ventilation opening further comprises a screening material formed over the ventilation opening.  
     
     
         19 . A ventilation structure for use on a roof comprising a longitudinal or transverse opening defined by a roof deck containing laterally displaced vertical extensions, the ventilation structure comprising: 
 first and second opposed venting panels, each venting panel comprising a face disposed between upper and lower extensions, wherein the face of each venting panel contains a ventilation opening that allows air to pass therethrough, and wherein the lower extensions of the first and second venting panels are attached to the roofing deck; and    a ventilation cap attached to the upper extensions of the first and second venting panels, wherein the ventilation cap extends over the upper extensions of the venting panels.    
     
     
         20 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , further comprising a roofing material formed over the lower extension of the first and second venting panels.  
     
     
         21 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , further comprising a plurality of venting panels.  
     
     
         22 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , wherein at least one venting panel comprises a plurality of ventilation openings.  
     
     
         23 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , wherein the ventilation opening comprises a perforation formed laterally through a face of the ventilation cap.  
     
     
         24 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , wherein the venting panel further comprises a screening material formed over the ventilation opening.  
     
     
         25 . The ventilation structure of    claim 19   , where the venting panel and the ventilation cap comprise a unitary structure.