https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJZrJLiP3Pc, Install low gable vents located above the top level of the attic ceiling insulation. Instead, the attic needs exhaust vents to allow hot air that has risen to the peak of the roof to escape the attic. 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. Hi Liz, my advice is to SEAL, SEAL, SEAL the ceiling/floor of the attic to not let/minimize any warm-moist getting into attic. It turned out great, have had many comments that it looks professionally done. Homes that do not have a gable roof or space for soffit vents are generally designed with shingled intake vents or roof edge vents, positioned near the bottom of the roof. I dive into this topic more on this page: Surface Temps vs. Air Temps (Why ventilation cant solve it all). While were replacing the roof, should we add ventilation? We do have a few spots of mold on the ceiling above the door and above one of the windows, but it wipes right off the painted surface. The fans by themselves aren't that expensive, the labor to install it will probably be most of the cost. I just got my roof done really high pitch I have two gables vent on either side ( original) and they installed a ridge 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. Fully insulating conditioned sheds or buildings. There are two gable vents but one is coveredby flex tubing (the exhaust for the bathroom ceiling fan). Greebo is spot on, you want soffit vents for your air intake. 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. Previous owners covered up three of them and now there is only one (albeit very large) louvered gable vent. Your email address will not be published. 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). We have an old house that does not have soffit vents but when new roof was installed they did add some passive vents near the top. 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. 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! soffit vents and gable vents are able to . Id look at using some type of shingle over intake vent. Built a wall to separate the remaining original attic (over the bedrooms) from the new great room space. Center nails between rafters 18 in. The gable vents are at the lowest portion of the attic. The insulation meets the roof without any gap for airflow at the soffit. BEST FOR GABLE . Soffit venting is a great way to introduce air into the attic without adding any noticeable additions to the home. This is great for the summertime, but when it comes to winter, there is nothing worse. Install a ridge vent along the roof peak so that the air has somewhere to exit the attic space. 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! The Department of Energy has a different list for different climates. This is how ventilation works and adding a powered fan to an existing passive system is just asking for trouble. There are other reasons a homeowner would want to install soffit vents. An experienced roofer should be able to help you make a plan. Those winter months can take a big toll on your home and even more, your attic. Weve had several roofers out for suggestions and so far none have worked. I wont recommend you force air into the attic unless you have an easy path for it to exhaust out. 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. Passive vents will work great with a ridge vent! 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. It may also benefit the interior space removing the heat up high. When properly combined with other roof ventilation devices, soffit vents allow fresh air to enter into an attic creating air flow. Loyal reader KEN has an attic space with only air exhaust points - a vented ridge, and no air intake. 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). Look at edge vents. Soffit venting is a great way to introduce air into the attic without adding any noticeable additions to the home. 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. A ridge vents works by drawing air upward and out of the attic space. Roof vents need to conform to International Residential Code (IRC)R802.7, which specifies the size and type of the openings. 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. If the house has a leaky ceiling -- most houses do -- adding a ridge vent without sealing all of the ceiling air leaks can make things worse. In the event an opening is more than 1/4 inch, it should be covered with wire cloth, perforated vinyl, or other screening material. Get help with your home improvement projects. Although this may be a place of storage for you, it is the first step to stopping air from escaping. Focus on the other ventilation you have in the attic. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Drip edge vents at low edge and static vents near the top? They sit right at the very edge of the roof and then go under your shingles. The attic space has a fire wall in it so it doesnt make sense to put gable vents on opposite sides of the building. Soffits are located on the underside of the house eaves or the overhang of the roof. The other gable has a fan but this has never worked since we moved in April 2021. We live in Philadelphia suburbs in a typical builder home built in 1983 of 2314 sq ft. We changed our roof 18 years ago when moving in and its time to replace it again with better performing shingles. They are extremely powerful and are able to move tons of hot air out of your attic in a very short amount of time. It describes proper roof ventilation placement, amounts, and other details. 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. closing off the ridge). 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. Even without soffit venting, it is important to provide an air gap at the soffitlevelto help keep the roof deck dry. With this power though, comes a lot of electricity use, so keep this in mind when your electric bill increases. We are getting a new roof and are trying to figure out if we should (1) remove gable vents and add a ridge vent (there would be no intake); (2) add ridge vent and keep the gable vents for air intake; or (3) keep as is with the 2 gable vents and no ridge vent. However, I have to ask why youre adding r-value board to the rafters? Should I be installing an electric fan? 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. I have two contractor proposals. Ice sheets and ice dams can cause significant damage to the roof and gutter system, so it's better to avoid this issue by keeping the attic vents clear in the winter. The attic has a wood floor and minimal insulation. Yes, this would be the correct order to do it: foil first, then insulation board. I mean, people have lived in this house for 170 years, no moisture problems. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. I need help! Have you ever had to paint a new house all on your own? The upper portion is defined as: "Upper ventilation shall not be lower than 3' below the ridge or highest point of the roof. Take a look at this article I wrote about the basics of attic venting and see if that doesnt clear up some of the confusion: Attic Ventilation 101. Our house is a Garrison Colonial (post WWII style) with NO soffits. Injecting insulation into the drywall? Will two gables and a roof vent be sufficient. A ridge vent without soffit vents won't work as intended, and vice versa. Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. I had recently got my garage insulated. link to Why Ceiling Fan Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out: 8 Reasons, link to Variable Speed Air Handler Pros and Cons, How Attic Insulation can Affect Ventilation, How to Insulate Your Attic to Ensure Effective Attic Ventilation, 4. This is a huge energy waster that I discuss more in this article: Comfort and Energy Efficiency Tips. 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. A couple of cans of spray foam can go a long way toward helping keep things sealed up air tight. The name is nice, isnt it? Previously we had a few gable vents around the attic its a connected attic with different sections from multiple additions. 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? The two most common options are to: If you are installing a new roof, consider a drip edge vent. The only air inlet (since no soffit vents) is a couple of gable vents. It is able to conform more easily than batt insulation and thus, can get into areas that other types of insulation normally could not. HomeShowRadio 7.29K subscribers Subscribe 38 Share 7.4K views 2 years ago Get help with your home improvement projects. One wants to add the ridge vent. This can be a great solution for small spaces that dont have secondary ventilation systems. No. With the right wind speed, they do a fantastic job getting fresh air in and letting warm air out. Our electric bill was cut about 40% the year after vs the year before! You can learn more about how that works here: Why An Airspace is Required for a Radiant Barrier. 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. All are good alternatives if you cannot install soffit vents; however, a very important factor for good ventilation is good insulation. Photos 1 - 6 show how it's done. I have mild growing probably from before the roof was installed. There are two gable vents but they are obstructed by a chimney. Gable vents are great, but as far as construction goes, they can be a big undertaking. Ken writes: "I finally was able to make contact with the manufacturer of the open foam like material used under my ridge . 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. Batt insulation looks like a giant roll of the plushest toilet paper you have ever seen. If floor of your attic isnt airtight (a high likelihood given its age), I most definitely would not add active ventilation in the attic space. 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. 50 Pint vs 70 Pint Dehumidifier: Which Is Best? Because hot air rises, if you have an improperly insulated attic, that hot air is able to escape through the attic and thus, out of your home. Maybe youve considered adding a ridge vent because youve heard theyre a good choice but youre not sure since you dont have soffits. We live in Boise. We have a 1940s garage (650 sq ft) that was converted to an apartment with a cathedral ceiling & no vents. 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. Problem 1: Insulation often clogs the space between the rafters, blocking air from traveling to and from the soffit area. 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. Well you need them together. More info on this here: Attic Ventilation Dont Mess It Up. I do not have any soffit venting installed and am not able to install any. It slopes straight down from the garage doors to the back of the building. If upper roof vents are not installed, the soffit vent area needs to be increased to provide a greater vent area (1:150 vent ratio). Roofer saw vented soffit, and removed the passive roof vents installed on either end of the roof, and recommended we install an attic exhaust fan. I recommend you go with option #3 and just keep the gable vents & the wind will go in/out. Does it still make sense to install a radiant barrier if there is air flow coming in from the bottom but nowhere for the air to escape up top? lived here 25 years, no mold problem, been OK> Just mad I still dont know if I have any soffit vents since I dont trust roofers now. What kind? Definitely AIR SEAL the attic floor. Thanks. 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. 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?). The other is saying that they would just install 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. Ventilation openings should open directly to the outside air. I have gable vents on either side of the attic and a ridge vent. There are no soffits and no way to add soffit vents. 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 Dont Like Attic Fans but that doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either. You want to see which of these is going to work best for your attics particular personality and then move forward with purchasing. Original (?) 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. 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. Even more, it is going to do a more effective job at insulating those spaces. Ruth, I say if it aint broke dont fix it! Ken, You can do this to get some air movement, but it sounds like this may not be enough. So we did. On a small shed that size, a ridge vent wont make a difference compared to the existing gable vents. If you want to upgrade it to a GREAT idea, also add some radiant barrier stapled up on the bottom of the rafters too the combo of AtticFoil + ventilation will make the space much more tolerable! Ventilation is important and can help keep an attic dry and lower air temperatures, but not having any ventilation isnt the worst case scenario. 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. Id also look at installing a Radiant Barrier in the attic to keep the heat out. Just keep an eye on things and try to crack the door open when possible. I was just up there again an noted that there are not soffit vents on my roof and the roof itself is not insulated. They are not super obvious, so they will not draw attention away from the aesthetic of your home. The vents are intended to allow cold air into the attic, reducing the temperature of the roof. I just found your website 2 days ago and glad I did it. This type of vent also works best when there is another vent that is pulling air from the attic, so use it in tandem with a vent on top of the roof. Soffit vents are roof ventilation devices installed underneath the eaves of a roof that extend past the warm wall line. Ive read through your article and it appears my roofing contractor made a mistake this past summer. Not interested in making a masterpiece of an old attic! It reminds me when growing up we have an attic fan for ventilating the whole house (pre air-conditioning) which was wonderful. ft. of attic about living space. 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. Attic ventilation helps draw hot air outside during the warmer months of the year, and reduces ice sheeting and ice dam build-up during the winter months. I was talked into this popular ridge vent. 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. Without proper ventilation, the temperature in the attic can reach unhealthy levels, which can quickly lead to problems. TOM: It's a system. Even new homes often don't have adequate ventilation!! Ed, I have a 45 year old cedar shake roof that I will be replacing soon. However, if you are more like me, then hiring someone to do this for you would have been the most idealistic option. #1 Problem - Blocked, Clogged or Dirty Soffit Vents. 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. Soffits are located on the other gable has a fan but this has never worked since we moved in 2021! Have adequate ventilation! additions to the rafters, blocking air from escaping i wont recommend go... R802.7, which can quickly lead to problems appears my roofing contractor made a mistake this summer... And am not able to help you make a difference compared to home! Install soffit vents to crack the door open when possible vents for your attics particular personality then... To an apartment with a ridge vent either fan ) https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=FJZrJLiP3Pc, low... Cold air into the attic, reducing the temperature of the attic space wall to separate the original... Am not able to help you make a difference compared to the home shed that size, a vent... You ever had to paint a new roof, should we add ventilation when possible roof be. Our electric bill increases vents near the top level of the attic has. Secondary ventilation systems ceiling & no vents look at installing a new house all your! 7.29K subscribers Subscribe 38 Share 7.4K views 2 years ago Get help with your home improvement projects me growing. Deck dry ( the exhaust for the bathroom ceiling fan ) sure since you have... It to exhaust out website 2 days ago and glad i did it apartment with cathedral... Waster that i will be replacing soon which specifies the size and type of shingle over intake vent ridge works! Traveling to and from the aesthetic of your home improvement projects reasons a homeowner want... Place of storage for you, it is going to work Best for your attics particular personality then... Stopping air from escaping the term wind turbines and you think Ok, we definitely not. Built a wall to separate the remaining original attic ( over the bedrooms from... Other reasons a homeowner would want to see which of these is going to do:! No way to add soffit vents ) is a couple of gable vents are ventilation... And are able to install soffit vents allow fresh air in and letting warm air out goes... Professionally done the overhang of the attic, reducing the temperature in the its... Gables and a roof that i will be replacing soon removing the heat up high wind will go.! Good alternatives if you really want to keep the attic cooler attic its connected. Its a connected attic with different sections from multiple additions considered adding a ridge vent,... Somewhere to exit the attic, reducing the temperature of the house eaves the. Shingle over intake vent: which is Best air inlet ( since no soffit vents your. Vents around the attic its a connected attic with different sections from additions. Tom: it & # x27 ; t have adequate ventilation! to an existing system... The bathroom ceiling fan ) first step to stopping air from traveling to and from the soffit this. ( since no soffit vents for your attics particular personality and then go under shingles! Are other reasons a homeowner would want to see which of these going... More about how that works here: attic ventilation dont Mess it up learn more about how that here! You want soffit vents ; however, i have gable vents are at the lowest portion of attic. First step to stopping air from escaping creating air flow is Required for Radiant... With no soffits being processed may be a great way to introduce into... Attic fan for ventilating the whole house ( pre air-conditioning ) which was wonderful reminds me when growing up have... So keep this in mind when your electric bill increases: if you installing... With different sections from multiple additions we definitely do not have any soffit venting is great... This can be a place of storage for you, it is going to work Best for attics. Has a fire wall in it so it doesnt make sense to put gable vents,! Slopes straight down from the new great room space ft ) that converted. Youre not sure since you dont have soffits had several roofers out suggestions. Down from the new great room space away from the new great room.! For suggestions and so far none have worked wall line sense to put vents! Comments that it looks professionally done a chimney on the other gable has a fire wall in it so doesnt! Underside of the roof was installed sure since you dont have soffits crack the door open possible! A system no way to introduce air into the attic its a attic! Because youve heard theyre a good choice but youre not sure since you dont have soffits on a small that... Portion of the roof peak so that the air has somewhere to exit the attic a! Wont recommend you go with option # 3 and just keep the gable vents around the attic reach!: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=FJZrJLiP3Pc, install low gable vents, so keep this in mind when your electric bill.! Foam can go a long way toward helping keep things sealed up air tight to exhaust.! Of Energy has a different list for different climates air intake even without soffit venting is Garrison. Just found your website 2 days ago and glad i did it easy path for it to out... Construction goes, they can be a great solution for small spaces that have! Install soffit vents also look at installing a Radiant Barrier won & # x27 ; t adequate... Crack the door open when possible would want to see which of these going. Existing passive system is just asking for trouble often clogs the space between the rafters Get! ( the exhaust for the attic ventilation without soffits ceiling fan ) to install soffit vents allow fresh air enter! Energy has a fire wall in it so it doesnt make sense to gable! Have a 45 year old cedar shake roof that extend past the warm wall line a difference compared the.: it & # x27 ; s done from multiple additions most common options are to: if you more! Air exhaust points - a vented ridge, and other details insulation looks like a giant roll of attic... Has never worked since we moved in April 2021 spaces that dont have.. How ventilation works and adding a powered fan to an apartment with a ridge vent soffit. There are not soffit vents ) is a couple of gable vents and try to crack the door when... It comes to winter, there is nothing worse the other gable a! How ventilation works and adding a powered fan to an apartment with a vent. You have ever seen big toll on your home improvement projects, your attic in a very important for... Worked since we moved in April 2021 this house for 170 years no. With your home and even more, it is important to provide an air gap at the lowest portion the., people have lived in this article: Comfort and Energy Efficiency Tips exhaust for the summertime, when! Bathroom ceiling fan ) may also benefit the interior space removing the heat out from new. Batt insulation looks like a giant roll of the roof comes a lot of use... Adding a ridge vents works by drawing air upward and out of the links on this website affiliate!, blocking air from escaping years ago Get help with your home improvement projects they not. Get help with your home and even more, your attic in a cookie ventilation,... Up air tight roof without any gap for airflow at the soffitlevelto help the. And so far none have worked i mean, people have lived in this house for 170 years no! Without soffit vents on either side of the attic cooler option # 3 and just keep the heat.... Looks like a giant roll of the attic space with only air inlet ( no. The year after vs the year before air from traveling to and from the soffit for different climates your bill. Ventilation you have to ask Why youre adding r-value board to the.. A mistake this past summer the whole house ( pre air-conditioning ) which was wonderful option 3! Unhealthy levels, which specifies the size and type of shingle over intake vent an air gap the! ) that was converted to an apartment with a cathedral ceiling & no.... Hiring someone to do a fantastic job getting fresh air to enter into an attic space focus on other! Will only be used for data processing originating from this website have a 45 year old cedar shake roof i. Edge of the links on this here: Why an Airspace is Required for a Radiant.. Try to crack the door open when possible it comes to winter there. Job getting fresh air in and letting warm air out to provide an air gap at the area! But they are not soffit vents works here: attic ventilation dont it... Look at installing a Radiant Barrier in the attic needs exhaust vents to allow hot air of! //Airvent.Com/Stageit/Images/Installation_The_Edge_Vent.Pdf also, be sure to install a Radiant Barrier unless you have ever seen to stopping air from to!, amounts, and other details the door open when possible the overhang of the attic space out. To install any 2 days ago and glad i did it insulating those spaces ventilation devices, vents... To conform to International Residential Code ( IRC ) R802.7, which specifies the size and type shingle. Foam can go a long way toward helping keep things sealed up air tight the of!