One of the most common intake vent options is soffit venting. This system is passive in that it does not function on its own without a bit of help. 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. If the ceiling feels warm, it indicates that the attic is storing warm air. thanks. 900 sq. You may think of your attic as nothing more than a creepy, dark spot that may have spiders and bats, but a healthy attic is vital to a healthy home. Hello everyone. I cannot see a way to put in soffit vents. They may seem like an eye-sore, but modern technology has afforded homeowners some very aesthetically pleasing options that wont distract from the beauty of your home, can blend in with your siding or brick, and work well to keep the attic ventilated. I am thinking of introducing 2 inch round vents under the eaves so that there is an intake for air that is lower than the gable vents. I have a 1929 Spanish style stucco house with a tile roof and no overhang. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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). As for baffles, you dont necessarily need more, you just need to have air flow from the soffits into the roof that is unobstructed. For so we have done several estimates and only one roofer told me to add vinyl hidden vented soffits and disconnect and remove the emerging part of our electric attic fan., in addition to installing a ridge vent. " (See ICC R806.1.2.) The name is nice, isnt it? If you want to bulk up your r-value, you should add it to the attic floor, where you already have r-value or else omit the board all together. Here is one http://airvent.com/stageit/images/installation_the_edge_vent.pdf Also, be sure to install a radiant barrier if you really want to keep the attic cooler. Best of all, Atlas ventilation products are eligible components of the Atlas Signature Select Roofing . This should be a National codes requirement on all new housing!! It may seem like a long road ahead trying to figure out what type of ventilation your attic needs, but there is certainly a solution out there for you. I have a shed roof over top of my garage, the slope is 2/12. Remember, its a bad idea to mix exhaust vent types (passive vents with active fans). Hi Ed My 1920 craftsman home in northern california has several static exhaust vents and one solar vent, all near the ridge. This is going to a ventilation system that is active, rather than passive, but it also requires electricity in order to function. Cons Most effective when used with a ridge vent Homeowner tend to cover them with insulation, which blocks the airflow The fascia is a horizontal board that is fixed to the ends of roof rafters or trusses at the eaves of a building. You'd have to extend or actually reshingle the bottom layer of shingles at the edge. Good idea or bad? ( I.e. For more information on ventilation and moisture control, read this article I wrote on Proper Attic Ventilation. However, they also can cost a pretty penny and because of this, you may be left to doing it on your own. However, I am worried as they just installed the insulation directly without baffles. Even if you do not have soffit vents (a highly effective attic ventilation technology), there are plenty of options out there to either passively or actively ventilate your attic and make sure that you keep the structural integrity of your home in check. However, there is no daylight through the soffit vents when I look through them from inside the attic (with attic lights off). The key is having plenty of INTAKE air coming in lower, typically via the soffits. Hope that helps good luck! Focus on the other ventilation you have in the attic. The other gable has a fan but this has never worked since we moved in April 2021. Too much spacing and your insulation efforts could be all for not. 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. By adding adequate ventilation, a homeowner can control the humidity under their roof, and the perforations in a soffit vent are perfect for this purpose. Alternately, if you spot thick ridges of ice on the gutters or have had to melt ice dams in your drainage system, this is an indicator that the attic is not properly vented. Long term solution? A home's ventilation system consists of everything from roof vents to the best attic fans.Without the right roofing and attic ventilation system, your home can become uncomfortable and cost more to cool or heat. If you will remove the fan, then the gables can be left alone but consider a ridge vent. Then, maybe a gable fan, but ONLY to activate on a humidistat if it gets too humid. This is a huge energy waster that I discuss more in this article: Comfort and Energy Efficiency Tips. 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. Maybe youve considered adding a ridge vent because youve heard theyre a good choice but youre not sure since you dont have soffits. When properly combined with other roof ventilation devices, soffit vents allow fresh air to enter into an attic creating air flow. The total venting space should equal 1/150 of the floor . Without proper ventilation, the temperature in the attic can reach unhealthy levels, which can quickly lead to problems. The attic space has a fire wall in it so it doesnt make sense to put gable vents on opposite sides of the building. 2. We have a 1940s garage (650 sq ft) that was converted to an apartment with a cathedral ceiling & no vents. Drip edge vents at low edge and static vents near the top? After reading your articles I understand the necessity to install the soffits and probably disconnect the fan but would love to have your opinion . 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. from the roof's peak. Eyebrow vents, or more formally, static vents, are metal cylinders that have a flashing collar and hood on them. ft. of airflow per 150 sq. TOM: Alright. Your email address will not be published. These vents allow outside air to enter the attic at the lowest point of the roofalong the underside of the eave. They're most effective when used in conjunction with a continuous ridge vent. We also had gable fans in the attic space with the worst of the mold that were manually turned on. I Dont Like Attic Fans but that doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either. 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. Had a furnace guy come out, he said we must have a vacuum issue. Worse yet, inadequate insulation is almost surely allowing moisture-laden air into your attic. All are good alternatives if you cannot install soffit vents; however, a very important factor for good ventilation is good insulation. I want to improve the ventilation in our attic, but am afraid of messing up a good thing. I have a split level home with a gable roof. However, I have to ask why youre adding r-value board to the rafters? Ventilation openings should open directly to the outside air. 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 first storm after we bought it, we realized the garage roof was leaking badly and needs to be completely replaced. I had these and had to by plywood cut to close opening and seal it. I know, you hear the term wind turbines and you think Ok, we definitely do not have the land for this. Fear not, these are not the wind turbines that you see driving through rural landscapes, but a smaller version of them specifically designed for ventilating your attic among other more confined areas. Soffit may keep moisture out without vents, but it also keeps any moisture inside the attic and so on from escaping. It has low slopemaybe 1/12 or 2/12? Installed of the peak of the roof (ridge vents) or just off the ridge (box and power vents), Atlas ventilation products create a continuous flow of air upward from the eaves/soffits and achieve the best exhaust ventilation for your attic. Just be sure to cut the material exactly as it should sit within the joints of your attic. I do think its worthwhile to re-do the cavities and incorporate radiant barrier as shown here: Installing AtticFoil in a Cathedral Ceiling for Maximum Comfort, Remember, walls dont have ventilation and they can still perform well; ventilation isnt always the answer. We are about to redo the roof, and I wanted to know if having gable vents alone would be sufficient for ventilation or should we add ridge vents and/or edge vents? Instead, the attic needs exhaust vents to allow hot air that has risen to the peak of the roof to escape the attic. Another option for homes that have no place for intake vents would be to use a modified solar fan. These vents can blend in with the. Im wondering what to do? This meltwater is trapped above the ice dam, where it can seep under the shingles and leak into the house. By adding adequate ventilation, a homeowner can control the humidity under their roof, and the perforations in a soffit vent are perfect for this purpose. Colin, you dont have to remove the fan, but you do need to decide what your exhaust method will be. Thanks. One is saying they would just add a single attic solar fan installed on the roof to increase the air circulation mechanically. 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. I was thinking of stapling the radiant barrier to the rafters then nailing the fanfold board over it (so all I see is the fanfold). I asked a lot of questions and I was never actually shown if my house HAS any soffit vents! Ridge Vent vs. Attic Fan: Which Do You Need? 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! While were replacing the roof, should we add ventilation? I will eventually insulate under the roof deck as well as insulate and air-seal the attic floor. No one wants to have to pack on layer after layer throughout the cold winter months in their home. If none of these options are possible, then we suggest you focus your attention to making sure the floor of the attic space is air-tight by checking ductwork (if applicable), lights/fans/vents protruding wires or hardware into the attic, and any other area of the attic floor where there are openings/holes/seams. I agree with the installers recommending passive roof vents lower down the roof (on both sides) so that air could enter closer to the bottom of the roof to then exit through the passive vents at the top. Photo 1: Mark attic roof air vent locations. Ive read through your article and it appears my roofing contractor made a mistake this past summer. Use eye-brow vents that are on the top of the sloping roof surface near the soffit/eave area. Will two gables and a roof vent be sufficient. Your email address will not be published. The accepted rule is 1 sq. So now the remaining attic only has a single gable vent with no intake. Alyssa, if your garage door can open, even just a crack, air will pull into the garage from under the door and go up and out the vent. These vents allow hot air to escape the attic as it rises to the peak of the roof. Appreciate all the advice on this forum! 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. The most common exhaust vents are ridge vents, static vents, turbine vents, and powered vents. but this might be because your cool air conditioned air is now being pulled into the attic! Who wants a big, bulky vent smack on the side of their home bringing the most attention to the roof of their house? If there is plenty of soffit venting and if you have a relatively tight ceiling, then the makeup air will come from outside, which is desirable, summer and winter. Problem 1: Insulation often clogs the space between the rafters, blocking air from traveling to and from the soffit area. Powered attic vents, also known as powered attic ventilators or attic power vents, are electric-propelled fans that help pull stale air out of an attic space. Its a non-conditioned space. If you block the vents, the heat in the attic will warm the roof, causing any snow to melt. Also does the roofer has to provide you with the exact calculation of the ventilation needed? 2 months later, I had a new roof installed. Intake air is critical to maintaining a proper flow of air throughout the attic space. Intake vents are typically positioned on the lowest parts of the roof, under the eaves, though your home may also have shingled intake vents installed on a lower part of the roof, or even gable vents installed high on the sides of the home. Brock I dont ever recommend mixing passive and active vents in the same attic because it almost always leads to problems. Without soffit vents, the ridge vents will draw air through other attic inlets, like a gable, but this will limit the air circulation in the attic. Drive nails up through the sheathing and shingles to mark roof air vent locations. We have a 1940s Mansard roof with NO soffits. 50 Pint vs 70 Pint Dehumidifier: Which Is Best? https://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/attic-ventilation-basic-tips/. I am a mechanical engineer and have a basic knowledge of HVAC systems but I learn continuously to make myself the best blogger in that space. Another solution is to close up the attic space and make it a fully-sealed extension of the thermal envelope, thereby creating a conditioned attic. More info here: How much cooler can I expect my attic to be after Ive installed AtticFoil radiant barrier? Id still recommend leaving a gap at the bottom of the install and at the peak of the roof, but even without ventilation, you will see a measurable drop in surface temps. You also have to air seal the openings in the attic that a lot of homes havefrom above the installed shower basins usually. 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. Many sincere thanks, Liz. Just keep an eye on things and try to crack the door open when possible. There are several different styles/brands. I live in a single level townhouse with 4 of us in a square. The insulation meets the roof without any gap for airflow at the soffit. What is the best way to apply the radiant barrier and fanfold board to the rafters (which goes first against the rafters, radiant barrier or fanfold board), so that there is still circulation and no issues with moisture? And i was never actually shown if my house has any soffit vents active, rather than passive, you. 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