# Unvented/Sealed Attic Space **URL:** \ **Category:** Structural Inspections\ **Created:** [July 29, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481 "2026-07-29T21:38:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jlewis67](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jlewis67/32/250855_2.png) [@jlewis67](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jlewis67)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/1 "2026-07-29T21:38:57Z")
Hello all… I’m an inspector in North Central Florida and I just did an inspection of a small, 540 sq ft cottage style home that had an unvented/sealed attic with closed cell spray foam insulation. The living space had 2 mini-split units inside. That’s it. No fresh air return/circulation. My understanding of the current code is that unvented attics are okay, as long as the sealed attic is also part of the thermal envelope of the home. Meaning, there is still some “circulation” as long as there’s either a conditioned attic space with a min-split unit, passive air openings in the ceiling, an ERV, or vents from a forced air system. I expressed this to the realtor who responded back to me stating he “checked” with the contractor and declared “it’s fine”. I reported that it needed to have some sort of “ventilation or conditioning” due to the potential for buildup of moisture. Am I wrong in my recommendation? ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/2 "2026-07-29T21:54:38Z")
> [@jlewis67](#): > > Am I wrong in my recommendation?.. Based on your description, I agree with your thought process. ---
**Author:** ![tglaze](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tglaze/32/362210_2.png) [@tglaze](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tglaze)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/3 "2026-07-29T21:59:18Z")
I agree with you and Ryan. It should have recirculating air, however with such a small area and split systems, I doubt anything will be done about it. ---
**Author:** ![ruecker](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ruecker/32/357170_2.png) [@ruecker](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ruecker)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/4 "2026-07-29T22:05:33Z")
> [@tglaze](#): > > I doubt anything will be done about it… Probably not. One thing I have seen is a bath vent installed in the attic, exhausting to the outdoors, and a small air intake in the ceiling below. Can be put on a humidistat too. ---
**Author:** ![lhenderson2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lhenderson2/32/58205_2.png) [@lhenderson2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lhenderson2)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/5 "2026-07-29T22:05:59Z")
Hmmm, around here, it is considered part of the house envelope if the attic floor is not insulated or sealed. ---
**Author:** ![jlewis67](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jlewis67/32/250855_2.png) [@jlewis67](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jlewis67)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2026, 11:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/6 "2026-07-29T23:32:42Z")
Thank you guys! ---
**Author:** ![jreim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jreim/32/60282_2.png) [@jreim](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jreim)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/unvented-sealed-attic-space/269481/7 "2026-07-30T14:01:22Z")
Any pictures?