An apparatus and method for passive ventilation of buildings includes a bracket which cradles an air permeable member. The bracket and cradled air permeable member are interposed in air pathways comprising air inlets and air outlets for the building. The bracket provides a substantial area for air flow through the air permeable material, but is low profile, assists in the structural strength of the connection of building parts, and deters damage or deformation of building parts when installed.

A roof vent device formed from upper and lower outer surfaces sized to define a generally rectangular configuration having a linear axis. A tapered matrix is positioned between the outer surfaces, the taper being directed in a direction perpendicular to the axis to define a thin linear edge and a thick linear edge along the outer edges of the configuration that are parallel to the axis and tapered linear edges along the outer edges of the configuration that are perpendicular to the axis. The tapered matrix has a gap located proximate the middle of the tapered linear edges and extending generally over the linear axis of the outer surfaces. The gap defines an entrance for an air to vent air from beneath the roof ridge out the thick linear edge. The gap further provides a pivot point about which the configuration folds to conform to a roof pitch having a predetermined angle. In one embodiment the matrix is tapered from one outer edge to the gap and the remaining portion of the matrix is generally level. In the preferred embodiment, the taper extends from one linear edge to the other. In a preferred embodiment, a baffle extends out from the thick linear edge and is shaped to deflect outside air away from the thick linear edge without inhibiting air flow out of the linear edge from the air tunnel entrance.

An enclosure for providing abundant convection cooling to components placed therein while protecting the components from environmental factors external to the enclosure. Wall, roof and floor structures form a compartment for containing the components; the wall structures define openings for air passage into the compartment through a bottom opening and out of the compartment through a top opening, as internally warmed air is moved by convection through the enclosure. Louvers in the walls prevent precipitation and other external environmental elements from entering the compartment through the bottom openings. An overhang eave of the roof has a lip that extends downwardly to prevent precipitation intrusion through the top opening or openings. Screen material internally affixed to the walls covers the openings to prevent entry of insects and small animals to the inside of the compartment.

An improved roof edge ventilation strip serving as a starter strip to underlay the first course of shingling along a roof line. The roof edge ventilation strip comprises a roofing panel which is, in use, at substantially the same angle to the vertical as the roof to which it is attached. The material of the ventilation strip is wavy or corrugated for providing added strength. A horizontal soffit section of the ventilation strip has louvers which add strength to the ventilation strip and permit a ladder to be leaned against the strip outer edge. A vertical fascia section provides for fastening the ventilation strip in abutment to a vertical side of a house or a building. An alternate embodiment comprises a protruding drip edge to insure water run-off away from the house.

A ventilation baffle for use in building roofs includes a rectangular sheet dived by a plurality of fold lines into a rectangular central portion and a pair of side edge portions on opposite sides of the central portion. The edge portions are further divided into a pair of flange portions and a pair of spacer portions. The edge portions are bendable upward to form upstanding sides, the first pair of flange portions being bendable outwardly to form tabs which are attachable to the roof sheeting, said spacer portions separating the central portion of the sheet from the tabs and defining an air-flow passageway between the central portion and the roof sheeting. The sheet also has an end portion which can be bent downwardly to define an outer end wall between adjacent roof rafters which can be further positioned to contact the top plate of the roof for attachment.