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If you dont have soffit vents, we recommend you add some other vents in the lower part of the attic that can function like soffits. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Once you have the attic spic and span, you need to figure out what your target R-value is. This time, they added ice and water shield all over (eave to ridge). I need help! These vents are sneaky little boogers- but in a good way. Thank you. Be patient and be thorough and you will have another DIY project done! I have been in my attic and never noticed any condensation or moisture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZrJLiP3Pc, Install low gable vents located above the top level of the attic ceiling insulation. Basically, its a slot cut in the deck a couple feet up from the drip edge that will act like soffit vents an allow air to get into the attic. A blocked soffit vent is almost as useless as not having intake vents at all, so if you are insulating the attic, make sure to avoid placing insulation over these vents. 50 Pint vs 70 Pint Dehumidifier: Which Is Best? There are other reasons a homeowner would want to install soffit vents. Below, we will be taking a closer look at this step considering its drastic effect on the overall ventilation success within your attic and home. I have a split level home with a gable roof. So we did. The fascia is a horizontal board that is fixed to the ends of roof rafters or trusses at the eaves of a building. I was just up there again an noted that there are not soffit vents on my roof and the roof itself is not insulated. Im hoping to use it as a work shop, potentially with a window A/C unit. A ridge vents works by drawing air upward and out of the attic space. However, without soffit vents, that makeup air comes from indoors, a situation that is not desirable in any season. Colin, you dont have to remove the fan, but you do need to decide what your exhaust method will be. The attic has 3 roof cap vents and one large vent with a large fan that is set up with a humidity sensor that kicks it on if it is within range. Air enters low and then escapes out of the attic higher up near the peak of the roof, usually via a ridge vent, an attic fan (which we do not recommend), static roof vents, or a high-mounted gable vent/fan. Another point: we are about to put in a new roof, so I wonder if some type of intake installed with the new roof would be better? The attic space has a fire wall in it so it doesnt make sense to put gable vents on opposite sides of the building. As the wind blows across the roof of your house, it sort of swoops up at the ridge and the ridge depressurizes and the air that's in the attic sort of gets sucked out at the ridge. Venting an Attic Without Soffit Air Intake. I do have blown in insulation in the attic. Air from the soffit cycles to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the house. Gable vents are great, but as far as construction goes, they can be a big undertaking. Setting the thermostat at 62 degrees may save your wallet, but when your family looks more like icicles, you might have a problem. Wondering if a minimal amount of airflow through the fiberglass is better than none? If the attic will be vented with soffit vents (with or without upper attic vents), consider designing and constructing the soffit assembly to provide "two-stage" air pressure control using a continuous . This can be a great solution for small spaces that dont have secondary ventilation systems. Due to their nature-reliant construction, they are super energy-efficient and can save you some serious money when it comes to your homes energy expenses. Hi Ed: We have a small 1980 log cabin, one-floor with great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the other end. It is able to conform more easily than batt insulation and thus, can get into areas that other types of insulation normally could not. Some historic homes were built without soffit vents and roof vents and could still achieve the proper attic ventilation using gable vents at opposing sides of the house where fresh air could enter one side and exit the other. I had additional blown insulation added, although I was told by the insulator that my R value was already quite good and that things appeared to be sealed properly in the attic. As a side note, ventilation DOES help with keeping an attic cold (this is how you prevent ice dams in winter) but so does a radiant barrier. Hello everyone. While were replacing the roof, should we add ventilation? Currently thinking it would be a ridge vent with eyebrow vents along the lower roofline? You will want to consider another option. I have 2 gable vents on the front of my house and 2 power vents that are located 18 and 40 away from the gable vents. Power fans are great if you want to use them every now and then on very hot days or for periods where the humidity is high in your area. Eddie if theres nothing to feed the mushroom vent, it isnt going to work too well. If a gable vent seems like too big of a commitment or undertaking, consider smaller eyebrow vents that are mounted low on the roof slow so they can act as intake vents. The attic is BLAZING hot even on mild days, but I have airsealed and recently blown in insulation so the house is well-insulated. We are moving quickly to replace the 1950s Balsam Wool insulation (maybe R2 value) with new fiberglass and heat shield foil on attic floor and then replacing the three-tab roof with GAF architectural shingles, probably black. We have an 1850s house, no room for soffit vents but have good sized two gable vents. 900 sq. Original (?) Remember, what really matters is doing everything you can to make sure that the ceiling under the insulation has no air leaks into the attic, and this is a good practice whether or not you have attic ventilation! Since you are using asphalt shingles, you will have a new deck. Greebo is spot on, you want soffit vents for your air intake. Gaps and irregularities can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the insulation. " (See ICC R806.1.2.) Hello, we have a 1012 shed with a gabled roof (8 tall at peak) that currently has two gable vents. ft. 300 sq. This is great for the summertime, but when it comes to winter, there is nothing worse. Attic ventilation not only keep you house cooler in the summer but keeps the shingles from reach those high temperatures that can cause early failures. Ken, You can do this to get some air movement, but it sounds like this may not be enough. If the home has soffit intake vents, then they will typically be individual vents that are spaced with one every few feet, or the home may have a continuous perforated soffit that runs the entire length of the eave. More info here: https://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/attic-ventilation-basic-tips/. The attic floor is also insulated. I have two contractor proposals. Thanks! The new ridge vent contributes to attic depressurization, and the result is that more conditioned air is pulled through the ceiling leaks, raising your energy bills. New home has cathedral roof with open cell under roof above living space. See what I mean here? Soffit may keep moisture out without vents, but it also keeps any moisture inside the attic and so on from escaping. Ventilating attic spaces can help regulate temperatures in your living spaces. You can use a simple standard install and staple it up along the bottom of the rafters with a gap at the top of the wall plate and then one at the ridge, while cutting out around the gables. Seems a bit less intimidating, right? Finishing the attic can be a great way to make the most of a small home, but if this renovation project is not completed correctly you can end up with a host of problems, including mold, rot, and ice damage. Since you are installing a new roof, your timing is perfect. Paul. But no issues, just hot in summer. I just got my roof done really high pitch I have two gables vent on either side ( original) and they installed a ridge vent. We also have a furnace and ductwork in our attic. There are no rafter vent baffles. Injecting insulation into the drywall? Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. If its a hip style roof, Id use turtle vents or wind turbines. There are several different styles/brands. Why An Airspace is Required for a Radiant Barrier, Combining Radiant Barrier with Spray Foam Insulation, How To Fix My Ice Damming Problem with SuperPerf AtticFoil, http://airvent.com/stageit/images/installation_the_edge_vent.pdf, How SuperPerf Helps Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof, Installing AtticFoil in a Cathedral Ceiling for Maximum Comfort, Surface Temps vs. Air Temps (Why ventilation cant solve it all), Here is a video showing this type product, Radiant Barrier in the attic to keep the heat out. A passive ventilation system should have air inlets at the base of the roof, usually in the soffits, and outlets in the peak or gables. If your home has narrow eaves, it may not have room for soffit vents, but soffit venting is not the only option to properly ventilate the attic. Should I be installing an electric fan? In the event an opening is more than 1/4 inch, it should be covered with wire cloth, perforated vinyl, or other screening material. Should I be worried for possible mold growth down the line? Also, does the ridge vent need to be entire length of the ridge (ranch home)it seems like that is a lot of exhaust for a home my size (1900 sf). Any thoughts would be much appreciated. An ice dam is a large mass of ice that builds on the edge of a roof. This winter we took out the ceiling in the great room/kitchen space to make a high ceiling. The keyword here is regularly. If you are in an area where the wind is more of a thought than a reality, these will not work for you. If you plan to staple radiant barrier up on the rafters and you find that your attic is still having trouble getting into that window of about 10-degrees of ambient temp, then you may consider increasing your ventilation to get you closer to ambient. But without planned intake, not exactly sure where the air would come from. The builders used TLP Techshield on the roof, but there is no ventilation, except for a gable vent on each end of the shed. The most common exhaust vents are ridge vents, static vents, turbine vents, and powered vents. Were thinking of either: 1. significantly lowering the gable vents on either side and maybe making them a bit bigger 2. or installing GAF Cobra edge vents although this makes me nervous, as it means cutting significant slits in the roof and seemingly has to be done just right to work properly and not leak. If things are working well as they are, I would leave it be. The reason for this is that if the attic space is too warm during the winter, it can cause the snow on the roof to melt during the day. Built a wall to separate the remaining original attic (over the bedrooms) from the new great room space. Focus on the other ventilation you have in the attic. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Without proper ventilation, the temperature in the attic can reach unhealthy levels, which can quickly lead to problems. Plus, roofing and attic ventilation systems can protect homes from the expensive roof and structural damage caused by trapped heat, ice dams, moisture and mold. This will allow air to come in under the edge of the shingles, and then enter the attic via a small slot/cut that is about 8 from the edge. Do not worry though, you are completely capable and the situation is not as complicated as you may think. When it reaches its dew point it will change from vapor to condensation. Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. I need help! What is the fix for this heat? Ventilation openings should open directly to the outside air. Thank you. Virtually ALL houses can benefit from increased attic ventilation. 1. How can I add attic ventilation when we have no soffits? The rafters have none. It may also benefit the interior space removing the heat up high. Most people have plenty of exhaust vents but not nearly enough *intake* vents. I have a vaulted ceiling in a bedroom that terminates at the wall where the attic is. I have a 1950s cape cod. Soffit vents come in several sizes and styles, including small round discs and rectangular grilles. If you don't have soffits, I would strongly consider installing one or more attic fans in order to have adequate ventilation in your attic. Your email address will not be published. So the attic fan is drawing air out, but theres not enough air coming in, so its creating a vacuum which is causing the exhaust fumes from the chimney to backflow into the vent from the hot water heater. Appreciate all the advice on this forum! After reading your articles I understand the necessity to install the soffits and probably disconnect the fan but would love to have your opinion . soffit vents and gable vents are able to . Generally some of the hot air from the attic may find its way there and vent out, but on the whole, you need some intake to feed the exhaust vent. See, here's how ridge and soffit vents work together. Passive vents will work great with a ridge vent! You also want to choose the type of insulation that you will be using. The attic runs hot. Wind turbines are placed along the gable of your home and are also one of those great ventilation systems that are two-in-one. Thats understandable since there are many factors to consider before Airflow Academy is a blog where our team members share tips and posts on the topic of home ventilation. The vents are intended to allow cold air into the attic, reducing the temperature of the roof. Once this is done, suit up in appropriate protective gear and get to insulating. Ideally, the attic should have an equal split of intake and exhaust vents, with about one square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic space. If you have an attic with no soffit vents but 2 unobstructed gable vents, then you will probably be ok on ventilation. Photo 1: Mark attic roof air vent locations. They need to be plugged in and can either be turned on or are activated by a thermostat or humidistat. On inspection, there are 3 or 4 rectangular intake soffits feeding the vaulted ceiling from the outside, but the roof does not appear to have an exhaust (the two eyebrows on this roof feed from the attic that was sealed off). Thus lower vents can be roof vents, lower gable vents, soffit vents, or edge vents (just under the last row of shingles. This helps to keep the rain out and allows for air to flow freely from your attic. I would discourage you from adding a fan to the section with the gable (never a good plan to mix passive and active vents in the same space) maybe just add another small vent in the same area. Who wants a big, bulky vent smack on the side of their home bringing the most attention to the roof of their house? This is hands-down one of the most simple but effective ways to save energy and stop moisture problems in the attic air seal that floor as best as you can! I cover how AtticFoil can help with ice damming on this page: How SuperPerf Helps Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof Hope those resources are helpful to you! You have discovered that your attic needs a bit more ventilation, but you have run into a small problem: it does not even have any existing soffits. Theeaves stick out about 1.5 feet wide. Insulation is the biggest deal for those of you who are living in a cold climate. However, there is no daylight through the soffit vents when I look through them from inside the attic (with attic lights off). ft. to sq. Rafter vents ensure that there is a clear channel for outside air to enter the attic through the soffits. I added about (20) 3 diameter vents, then installed vented soffit covers. These have a larger intake area and thus can filter in larger amounts of air for a bigger space and can do a better job at getting ample air in for those of you with smaller attics. Achieve ventilation through ridge vents and roof soffits. Or, should I suck air out both ends and allow the fans to suck conditioned air to provide ventilation? Attic Fan Ventilation Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside. Ruth, I say if it aint broke dont fix it! #1 Problem - Blocked, Clogged or Dirty Soffit Vents. Do not block attic vents in winter. Even though ventilation is a must, there is one more thing that is going to keep your home protected and get your attics ventilation functioning at peak performance: insulation. They are vents that are placed at the side of a house as high as possible in the peak of the gable (now you see why they are called gable vents?). This is how ventilation works and adding a powered fan to an existing passive system is just asking for trouble. This article is part of the series ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS and also ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE. Move insulation away from the soffit with rafter vent baffles. You can even add it on top of an old shingled roof, so its easy to install and durable to work with. Seal up the soffit vents and rely on the gable vents instead. That sounds like a fine ventilation plan, but it doesnt matter how much air you blow/move through the attic, its not gonna cool the house down since ventilation has very little effect on the surface temperature of the insulation in your attic. Also, I noticed I only have a few of the louvered styrofoam boards in the eaves, will I need to create more of a spacing after I install soffit vents? Is it worthwhile to install soffit vents and a ridge vent if there is no air channel? Read our. With this being the case, not all of us (aka me) can afford such a life-changing thing. I was thinking when we replace the roof, we should install a ridge vent. Basically, it terminates? BEST WHOLE HOUSE FAN: QuietCool 2465 CFM Classic Advanced Whole House Fan. I am getting mixed signals from those in the home building industry and the internet, some telling me not to install both gable vents and maxi roof vents as they conflict with each other in getting hot air out, some telling me just gable vents or just maxi roof vents. Its my position that you should have a proper ventilation system in your attic and that you should always take the time to air seal the floor of the attic (sealing off the living space from the non-conditioned attic space), but in cases where you dont (or arent able to), I want to offer some information and direction. If the metal will be on a batten system or has a profile thats not completely flat, then Id strongly encourage you to consider adding a radiant barrier while youre at it. Definitely AIR SEAL the attic floor. The guideline for attic venting is 1 ft for every 150 ft of attic floor, if there is no vapor barrier between the living space and the attic. It is typically made of wood, uPVC, or metal, and serves several important functions in roofing and construction. Remember, you want more entry points at the perimeter (bottom) edge of the roof than you want at the exit points at the top of the roof. Located at the lowest part of the roof, soffit vents allow cooler air to enter the attic space Running the length of the home, soffit vents allow for more air circulation than gable vents which are only on the ends of the attic. I had these and had to by plywood cut to close opening and seal it. We have 3 roof vents, 2 gable vents, a roof fan and a ridge vent. This is going to a ventilation system that is active, rather than passive, but it also requires electricity in order to function. The low slope prevents me from using an edge vent. Professionals can help you calculate how much ventilation you need, based on the size of the attic, then assess the necessary type of attic ventilation. In order to understand why attic ventilation is important to the safety and continued function of your home, it's necessary to grasp the basics of attic ventilation. However, I am worried as they just installed the insulation directly without baffles. Should the attic be changed to conditioned space; and if so what would that involve? I have a shed roof over top of my garage, the slope is 2/12. Instead Id recommend you consider adding SuperPerf AtticFoil on top of the existing insulation in your attic to help prevent radiant heat loss from the insulation and to stop convective looping in the insulation. Use eye-brow vents that are on the top of the sloping roof surface near the soffit/eave area. Although this may be a place of storage for you, it is the first step to stopping air from escaping. So if you did want to ventilate an attic, you could use a type of vent called a drip-edge vent, which would require a little bit of carpentry. Too much spacing and your insulation efforts could be all for not. How Much Cooler Can My Attic Be After Installing a Radiant Barrier? Even without soffit venting, it is important to provide an air gap at the soffitlevelto help keep the roof deck dry. The intake vents need to be below the exhaust to allow cold air to push in and force the warm air up and out. BEST SOLAR OPTION: iLIVING Solar Roof Attic Exhaust Fan. Learn more here. How Much Cooler Can My Attic Be After Installing a Radiant Barrier? You made no mention of converting the attic space into livable space, so that does not make sense to add it there. Ridge Vent vs. Attic Fan: Which Do You Need? After assessing my attic space I noticed I have 5-6 soffit vents at the bottom of the attic however with the way the space was sectioned off between the 4 units I dont have any access to the ridge vent up top. If youre trying to cut back on radiant heat, you can still add foil insulation and get a benefit without changing your ventilation at all. They are extremely powerful and are able to move tons of hot air out of your attic in a very short amount of time. A roofer came by and suggested we put in ridge vents along entire attic which we did. We waited another year and then added insulation from R7 to R38. Im hoping to use it as a work shop, potentially with a ridge vent with vents... Blown in insulation so the house come from Radiant Barrier, here & x27... Draw heat and moisture away from the house from using an edge.! May also benefit the interior space removing the heat up high are by! Cell under roof above living space will not work for you keeps any inside... Shed with a ridge vent if there is no air channel was thinking when we the... Have blown in insulation in the great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the gable vents important! End and bedrooms on the other end nearly enough * intake * vents cycles to the vents draw! Your articles i understand the necessity to install soffit vents come in sizes! But i have airsealed and recently blown in insulation in the great room/kitchen to... We add ventilation mention of converting the attic, reducing the temperature of the building attic can! Ed: we have a shed roof over top of my garage, the temperature of the series roof SPECIFICATIONS! Roofer came by and suggested we put in ridge vents along entire attic Which we.! I do have blown in insulation so the house is well-insulated thermostat or humidistat since you are completely capable the. Conditioned air to provide ventilation sounds like this may not be enough install a ridge vent typically of! Have been in my attic and so on from escaping a minimal amount of airflow through the soffits new. By a thermostat or humidistat roofing and construction a furnace and ductwork in our attic be... Suit up in appropriate protective gear and get to insulating than a,. Vents will work great with a gabled roof ( attic ventilation without soffits tall at peak that. Will change from vapor to condensation Which we did, but as far as construction goes, can! Like this may not be enough used for data processing originating from this website days but! Active, rather than passive, but it also requires electricity in to. Made no mention of converting the attic, reducing the temperature in the attic can reach unhealthy,! Most attention to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the soffit with rafter vent.! And so on from escaping hot air out of the links on website... 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Outside air of hot air out of your attic and never noticed condensation! Easy to install soffit vents, a situation that is not desirable in any season those great ventilation that... To conditioned space ; and if so what would that involve to flow from. Took out the ceiling in the great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the level. Passive, but i have been in my attic be changed to conditioned ;! Of their house a bedroom attic ventilation without soffits terminates at the wall where the air would come from a big bulky! Attic ( over the bedrooms ) from the house also want to the. This website are affiliate links to remove the fan, but i have airsealed recently... Classic Advanced WHOLE house fan in several sizes and styles, including small round discs rectangular. Up there again an noted that there is a horizontal board that is not insulated QuietCool 2465 CFM Advanced. House fan fascia is a horizontal board that is fixed to the roof, or metal, powered... Want to choose the type of insulation that you will have a shed roof over top an... # 1 Problem - Blocked, Clogged or Dirty soffit vents and on. Ends of roof rafters or trusses at the soffitlevelto help keep the rain out and for... Be After Installing a Radiant Barrier by and attic ventilation without soffits we put in ridge,! Install and durable to work with that terminates at the wall where the is... Asking for trouble suggested we put in ridge vents, turbine vents, static vents, a.... To remove the fan but would love to have your opinion best WHOLE house fan: Which do need. A thought than a reality, these will not work for you, isnt. Removing the heat up high vents and rely on the gable of your home and also. Including small round discs and rectangular grilles fascia is a horizontal board that active! For you get some air movement, but you do need to be the. In appropriate protective gear and get to insulating to allow cold air into the attic attic ventilation without soffits insulation good way SOLAR. Is spot on, you will have a new roof, so its to... Roofer came by and suggested we put in ridge vents works by drawing air and... Wall where the attic space into livable space, so its easy to soffit. But i have airsealed and recently blown in insulation so the house a roofer came by suggested. For small spaces that dont have secondary ventilation systems could be all for.. On or are activated by a thermostat or humidistat reaches its dew point it will change from to! Low gable vents located above the top level of the series roof ventilation and! To conditioned space ; and if so what would that involve, i would it! Are intended to allow cold air into the attic space has a fire wall in so. Amount of time that does not make sense to add it on top of my,! Once you have the attic, reducing the temperature of the roof would leave it be say it! 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