TOM: It's a system. He installed a ridge vent but we do not have any soffit vents, only a single gable edge vent ( in the top third if the gable). Photo 1: Mark attic roof air vent locations. Thanks for the article! 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. Tom can help.. I had a new asphalt shingle replaced on my roof a few months ago. Required fields are marked *. I added about (20) 3 diameter vents, then installed vented soffit covers. Best of all, Atlas ventilation products are eligible components of the Atlas Signature Select Roofing . The first storm after we bought it, we realized the garage roof was leaking badly and needs to be completely replaced. If you will remove the fan, then the gables can be left alone but consider a ridge vent. No machinery is required for installation and it can be done quickly and easily without too much fuss. For example, you can use ridge vents, mushroom cap vents, upper gable end vents/fans, high mounted attic fans, etc. Wondering if a minimal amount of airflow through the fiberglass is better than none? During the summer months, cool air enters through the intake vents and hot air exits through the exhaust vents to reduce the heat inside the attic. Original design had an attic above the ceiling; attic was ventilated with passive gable vents on each end. You can also invest in gable venting or shingle venting to increase air flow inside the attic and improve attic ventilation. His dilemma, how to adequately ventilate his attic without vented soffits. How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Leaking Ceiling, How to Prevent Ice Dams With Insulation Baffles. The international building code requires attics to be vented according to the minimums specified in International Residential Code (IRC)R806.1: All attics need to be ventilated to avoid problems with mold, moisture, high energy bills, and damage to the roof or gutter system. More info here: https://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/attic-ventilation-basic-tips/. Well you need them together. Using a venting drip edge is a very common alternative for those who do not have existing soffit vents or simply do not have the right roof layout to add them. When it comes to your attic, of course, there are professionals out there that can get it insulated within a matter of hours. 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. Soffit venting is a great way to introduce air into the attic without adding any noticeable additions to the home. Eyebrow vents, or more formally, static vents, are metal cylinders that have a flashing collar and hood on them. 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. The ductwork has been sealed and insulated. The attic runs hot. I have two contractor proposals. But without planned intake, not exactly sure where the air would come from. If its a gable style roof, Id go with ridge vents. This is great for the summertime, but when it comes to winter, there is nothing worse. Move the flex tubing (from bathroom fan) to exit via the soffits or a new hole a few feet below the existing gable vent. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You also want to choose the type of insulation that you will be using. The guideline drops to 1 ft for every 300 ft with a vapor barrier. 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. However the mold is a concern, so Id recommend either checking yourself or hiring a professional to come take a look at the attic floor and find the weak spots where air could be leaking through so they can seal them up. Formerly I had 3 dormer vents with the gable vent. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Adding airflow will help drop the air temps in the garage, so if you plan on using it to work in, that would be a good idea. However, soffit vents are often blocked by inexperienced DIYers when insulating the attic. They ended up using batts to insulate my rafters. Appreciate all the advice on this forum! This can be a great solution for small spaces that dont have secondary ventilation systems. If you are having problems insulating the floor of the attic without covering the vents, consider investing in rafter vents or insulation baffles. 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. Cross ventilation openings should be no less than 1/16 inch and no more than 1/4 inch. The attic floor is also insulated. I Dont Like Attic Fans but that doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either. Use this guide to learn why you need attic venting and how to improve it. 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. 900 sq. The attic ventilation system should also have exhaust vents located near the peak of the roof. There are several different styles/brands. Seems a bit less intimidating, right? They are able to work as an intake fan as well as an exhaust fan. However, I have to ask why youre adding r-value board to the rafters? We used to have a shrub in front of the gable so it could be from that. 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. What kind? However, they also can cost a pretty penny and because of this, you may be left to doing it on your own. 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? 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. Will adding soffit vents and killing the mold prevent future problems or do I need to remove damaged decking? If you have a finished attic or an attic space that you are planning on finishing, then wall gable vents and roof vents aren't the best option. Gaps and irregularities can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the insulation. All code-compliant houses with attics will already have some attic ventilation, but it's always a good idea to expand upon minimum venting requirements to keep your house in top condition for the long term. What would you recommend? I wonder, would putting a fan on the interior side of that space work? doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either, leaving a gap at the bottom of the install and at the peak of the roof. BEST SOLAR OPTION: iLIVING Solar Roof Attic Exhaust Fan. Although that would be great, hiring a professional painter costs some serious money. 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. 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). Evaluate Your Homes Target R-Value and Begin the Insulation Process. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Attic Ventilation Building Code Requirements, How to Install a Ridge Vent on a Shingled Roof. So with ridge vents you need 1/300th the area, or 800 / 300 = 2.67 square feet of vents. Im wondering what to do? The standard intake vent for attics is a soffit vent (also sometimes referred to as an eave vent) and it allows for air to enter the attic down low, near the eaves. 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. It describes proper roof ventilation placement, amounts, and other details. For more information on ventilation and moisture control, read this article I wrote on Proper Attic Ventilation. Then, add more insulation on the floor and cover it up with our SuperPerf AtticFoil. Five Common Causes of Poor Attic Venting. If you have a home that has a bigger-than-life attic and you are in need of a ventilation system that is able to take in and let out more air than most, consider installing a shingle-over intake vent. My question is this: I would like to apply a radiant barrier and insulation (fanfold board) to the rafters. UPGRADE PICK: Natural Light Solar Attic Fan. yikes. 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 on this here: Attic Ventilation Dont Mess It Up. in. If you block the vents, the heat in the attic will warm the roof, causing any snow to melt. One of the most common intake vent options is soffit venting. Moisture is mold's breading ground and the cause of roof rot and poor air quality. The bedroom gets up to 90 degrees when it is anywhere above 80 degrees outside and is warm to the touch all the way up, including the recessed lighting fixtures. Im hoping to use it as a work shop, potentially with a window A/C unit. So now the remaining attic only has a single gable vent with no intake. Now that we have taken a look at 7 ways to ventilate an attic without soffits, it is important to note how insulation can affect ventilation. Brock I dont ever recommend mixing passive and active vents in the same attic because it almost always leads to problems. In the event an opening is more than 1/4 inch, it should be covered with wire cloth, perforated vinyl, or other screening material. This winter we took out the ceiling in the great room/kitchen space to make a high ceiling. One way to know for sure if to hire someone (or DIY) to check your attic ventilation with a smoke test; theres adequate attic ventilation if the smoke exits out the exhaust vent during the test. Most people have plenty of exhaust vents but not nearly enough *intake* vents. This should be a National codes requirement on all new housing!! 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZrJLiP3Pc, Install low gable vents located above the top level of the attic ceiling insulation. 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. So we did. They work as intake and exhaust vents depending on which way the wind is blowing, so they do have a nice dual function. A dry, well-ventilated attic prevents mold from developing both inside the attic and in the living areas below. Thank you. I dont think I have any intake or If I did I dont know where else would it be. During winter season, we gave a terrible problem with icicles and ice dams in the gutters. After reading your articles I understand the necessity to install the soffits and probably disconnect the fan but would love to have your opinion . It should be ok, even though this is untraditional (insulating a non-conditioned space with r-value). Continue reading to see the seven ventilation alternatives for homes without soffit vents, the ways attic insulation can affect attic ventilation, and ways to insulate your attic on your own. 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. No, I dont think the lack of vented air is the problem here its the radiant heat coming in from the roof and it having a pretty direct route to get right into the room. These cool little contraptions are made for places that have wind speeds regularly of 5 miles per hour or greater. (n.d.). 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. If you are one of those people who enjoy this type of torture, then I applaud you. 50 Pint vs 70 Pint Dehumidifier: Which Is Best? This article is part of the series ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS and also ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE. You will reverse the wires to make the fan blow INTO the attic as your intake. Radiant barrier does require and air gap to work to reflect heat, just an air space/gap. If you have absolutely no insulation and have an attic with pretty standard joint spacing, this can be a great option for you. More info here: How much cooler can I expect my attic to be after Ive installed AtticFoil radiant barrier? 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). Hi Ed: We have a small 1980 log cabin, one-floor with great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the other end. You can see an install here: How to Install AtticFoil in a Shed. This time, they added ice and water shield all over (eave to ridge). I have been in my attic and never noticed any condensation or moisture. Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. Thank you. We have an 1850s house, no room for soffit vents but have good sized two gable vents. If you do not have a secondary system that is either pushing or pulling air out of your attic, you will have to rely solely on the wind in order to get old air out and fresh air in. Rafter vents or insulation baffles, are typically installed in the spacing between rafters, creating a narrow gap that allows outside air to flow in from the soffit vents. Does this sound correct? After all, if your home is not well insulated, then the measures mentioned above will not have a lasting effect- something disappointing both for your spirit and budget. 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! If you have plenty of intake into the attic (usually via soffit vents), then your ridge vent should work well. Your email address will not be published. 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. It is an old home that appears to have originally had windows on the four sides of the gables. If this is happening, your ventilation systems will then be working against you as they will pull all that warm air straight out of the attic and into the winter air. More info here: Fully insulating conditioned sheds or buildings. 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. 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. Because of where they are located on the roof, they do very well at allowing heat to escape from them, which obviously fares your attic well. If the ceiling feels warm, it indicates that the attic is storing warm air. Your house - your attic is not properly ventilated because you don't have any way for the air to get in the bottom." TOM: OK. 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. It turned out great, have had many comments that it looks professionally done. SuperPerf AtticFoil was designed for over-the-insulation installations inside attic spaces in cold/mixed climates. I was up there this last summer and it did get pretty hot and humid. Sonia, its possible the gable ends will cross ventilate, depending on which direction the wind is coming from. This is why effective insulation is so important. What should we do? However, I am worried as they just installed the insulation directly without baffles. 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. Attic Ventilation Without Soffits Homes without room for soffit vents usually use gable vents or shingled vents to take advantage of passive ventilation. The duct work for the second floor goes up to the attic and branches out to the rooms. Hello! Or. Will two gables and a roof vent be sufficient. Id look at adding some lower side intake vents. 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. The home currently has 1, 1215 rectangular gable vent per side of the home and a couple of small mushroom type roof vents. Move insulation away from the soffit with rafter vent baffles. Many people who think about installing gable vents slightly cringe at the thought of them. You should have an equal amount of intake and exhaust ventilation, equally about one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic space. 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. Just be sure to cut the material exactly as it should sit within the joints of your attic. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management. Id look at using some type of shingle over intake vent. 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