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. Previously we had a few gable vents around the attic its a connected attic with different sections from multiple additions. I dont think I have any intake or If I did I dont know where else would it be. 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. These vents allow outside air to enter the attic at the lowest point of the roofalong the underside of the eave. I ran into an excessive amount of ice damming this year with my property. ( I.e. I asked a lot of questions and I was never actually shown if my house HAS any soffit vents! The other two across from each other (lets call it the longer run from the front to back of the house were smaller and higher up. There are no soffits and no way to add soffit vents. Greebo is spot on, you want soffit vents for your air intake. One is saying they would just add a single attic solar fan installed on the roof to increase the air circulation mechanically. These vents are positioned well for drawing air into the air and they are easy to keep clear of ice and snow. Even without soffit venting, it is important to provide an air gap at the soffitlevelto help keep the roof deck dry. Im hoping to use it as a work shop, potentially with a window A/C unit. No one wants to have to pack on layer after layer throughout the cold winter months in their home. 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. If this is the case. 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. Air from the soffit cycles to the vents to draw heat and moisture away from the house. The attic runs hot. feet. With a venting drip edge, you will likely only have to remove about an inch off the part of your roof that covers the rafters on your roof. 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. Without a continuous flow of outside air, the attic heat in the winter will melt ice and snow at the top of the roof, which will flow down and refreeze when it reaches the cooler bottom of the roof. The total venting space should equal 1/150 of the floor . I Dont Like Attic Fans but that doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either. 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. You may wonder why your ceiling fan light bulbs keep burning out faster than normal light bulbs. If you have an attic with no soffit vents but 2 unobstructed gable vents, then you will probably be ok on ventilation. Fully insulating conditioned sheds or buildings. Most people have plenty of exhaust vents but not nearly enough *intake* vents. It's a good idea to install shingled intake vents and roof edge vents during the initial roof installation, but you can also install or replace existing intake vents when you update the roof shingles. Long term solution? 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. Should I be installing an electric fan? Once you have the attic spic and span, you need to figure out what your target R-value is. You should have an equal amount of intake and exhaust ventilation, equally about one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic space. 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. From this position, air enters the attic through the intake vents. thanks. 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. Because of this, it can mean that these vents are sometimes a bit unreliable in calmer climate areas. No. Does this make sense and do you have any suggestions that would help? The 8 Best Attic Fans of 2023 to Increase Ventilation. Should we put in passive gable vents instead of the fans? 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? ft. = 3 sq. It describes proper roof ventilation placement, amounts, and other details. 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. 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. Intake air is critical to maintaining a proper flow of air throughout the attic space. Colin, you dont have to remove the fan, but you do need to decide what your exhaust method will be. We are leaning toward (2) above but would really like an expert opinion. Ridge Vent vs. Attic Fan: Which Do You Need? Dont close off the ridge you want your attic to be COLD. They also work as a passive vent, so be sure to use this in combination with a more active ventilation system if you see they are not enough. More info here: https://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/attic-ventilation-basic-tips/. Beware of adding a ridge vent without soffit vents (the worst) or soffit vents without a ridge vent (bad) or only gable-end vents (usually bad). ft. to sq. Send your questions to Tom: http://homeshowradio.com/ask-tom-tynan/ See more AskTom videos: http:. There are other reasons a homeowner would want to install soffit vents. 2018 international residential code (Irc) | icc digital codes. Worse yet, inadequate insulation is almost surely allowing moisture-laden air into your attic. Evaluate Your Homes Target R-Value and Begin the Insulation Process. Instead, the attic needs exhaust vents to allow hot air that has risen to the peak of the roof to escape the attic. 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. Required fields are marked *. 2. These vents can blend in with the. Instead, plan on ventilating the finished attic space with rafter venting. Is there a shot term solution to fixing this now that it is winter? The fascia is a horizontal board that is fixed to the ends of roof rafters or trusses at the eaves of a building. Im wondering what to do? If you notice water dripping from the vents, you can set up a breathable shield to help obstruct driving rain, without blocking the vents. I wonder, would putting a fan on the interior side of that space work? Use a passive system and you wont have issues with sucking air out of your home (or chimney). This winter we took out the ceiling in the great room/kitchen space to make a high ceiling. Also, leave the ridge vent exposed and leave about a foot uncovered (no barrier or board) the whole length of the roof where the roof meets the soffit so air can circulate between the rafters. 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). 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. Especially hard driving rain that is whipped about by heavy winds can enter the roof vents. Hi Ed: We have a small 1980 log cabin, one-floor with great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the other end. We waited another year and then added insulation from R7 to R38. 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. What would you recommend for venting with new asphalt shingles? 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 home currently has 1, 1215 rectangular gable vent per side of the home and a couple of small mushroom type roof vents. If it will be the fan, then the gables should be closed and you need to add soffit venting. A couple of cans of spray foam can go a long way toward helping keep things sealed up air tight. This ventilation system is one that is typically used for those attics that really refuse to comply with more passive methods, so use this as a back up if you need a little push for something that is already existing. If you have plenty of intake into the attic (usually via soffit vents), then your ridge vent should work well. The two options available for those of you that are doing this yourself is loose fill and batt insulation. They work great in the summers, but should not be used alone in the wintertime because they are not great with removing moisture- something that will dramatically change the overall effect of ventilation. I believe the attic used to extend into the bedroom but was vaulted and the attic sealed off in a remodel. For more information on ventilation and moisture control, read this article I wrote on Proper Attic Ventilation. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Is it worthwhile to install soffit vents and a ridge vent if there is no air channel? Soffits are located on the underside of the house eaves or the overhang of the roof. You can also invest in gable venting or shingle venting to increase air flow inside the attic and improve attic ventilation. I am getting two suggestions from contractors for ways to add better air intake and I need your advice. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. (n.d.). Although this may be a place of storage for you, it is the first step to stopping air from escaping. Ventilation is an absolute must when it comes to your attic and maintaining your home. Yes!!! If you block the vents, the heat in the attic will warm the roof, causing any snow to melt. Use this guide to learn why you need attic venting and how to improve it. 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). Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. 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. Soffit may keep moisture out without vents, but it also keeps any moisture inside the attic and so on from escaping. Soffit outlining the roofline allows for continuous ventilation and is one of the most effective ways to ventilate into the attic. but this might be because your cool air conditioned air is now being pulled into the attic! I had not heard of the single fan before as a solution. However, I have to ask why youre adding r-value board to the rafters? Having a vapor barrier in the attic can raise the multiplier to 300 sq. They can effectively pull the hot air out, but come with a tradeoff of higher electricity costs. . When the attic or roof heats up, the ice or snow on the roof melts. They are able to work as an intake fan as well as an exhaust fan. If you are really wanting to make sure that your attic is not sucking energy from your home and can properly ventilate, you first want to start with the attic floor. 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. 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. It reminds me when growing up we have an attic fan for ventilating the whole house (pre air-conditioning) which was wonderful. Here's how to calculate the amount of venting you need when using a product with a theoretical rating of 9 NFVA per ft. Find total ventilation area. Install a ridge vent along the roof peak so that the air has somewhere to exit the attic space. 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. 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. BEST SOLAR OPTION: iLIVING Solar Roof Attic Exhaust Fan. Hi! I have a cross-gable roof. Should I be worried for possible mold growth down the line? Tom can help.. They are extremely powerful and are able to move tons of hot air out of your attic in a very short amount of time. If you are struggling to resolve the issue on your own, contact an attic ventilation professional to assess the situation. Finally, without enough soffit vents the motors tend to burn out . I mean the inside every bathroom, every bedroom, the kitchen, the century-old crown molding? If you suspect asbestos, be sure to leave it and get it tested before deciding to go forward with the removal. For some homes, you could try adding vents to a porch ceiling that could act like a soffit and feed the attic. Essentially bring air through the high interior ceiling and pass it through the attic with gable vent outtake? Here is a video showing this type product. Or. 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. 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. An ice dam is a large mass of ice that builds on the edge of a roof. 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. Should I force external air in one and try to suck it out the other end? 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. More info here: RoofingFoil For Metal and Tile Roofing. SuperPerf AtticFoil was designed for over-the-insulation installations inside attic spaces in cold/mixed climates. 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? Exhausting the roof with a smartvent or eyebrows? A venting drip edge is actually pretty easy to install as well and very often, only takes a little bit of grappling with your roof to get the job done. Thank you, Bill. Best of all, Atlas ventilation products are eligible components of the Atlas Signature Select Roofing . More info on this here: Attic Ventilation Dont Mess It Up. More info here: How much cooler can I expect my attic to be after Ive installed AtticFoil radiant barrier? Radiant barrier does require and air gap to work to reflect heat, just an air space/gap. I cannot see a way to put in soffit vents. Gable vents are not as horrifying as they sound. The next winter, it was humid in the attic, so fan was on, furnace turned on, and hot water heater was heating. But if you have no intake, where is the ridge vent going to draw the air from? Even more, it is going to do a more effective job at insulating those spaces. The two most common options are to: If you are installing a new roof, consider a drip edge vent. The name is nice, isnt it? Ridge vents can work without soffit vents; however, this won't be very energy efficient. 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. 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. Our electric bill was cut about 40% the year after vs the year before! You want to see which of these is going to work best for your attics particular personality and then move forward with purchasing. See what I mean here? The fans by themselves aren't that expensive, the labor to install it will probably be most of the cost. It is able to conform more easily than batt insulation and thus, can get into areas that other types of insulation normally could not. Even better, if you live in an area that is prone to lots of snow and ice, these are great options since they are protected by the shingle and are not directly exposed to the elements. I will be installing a metal roof within the next few months and since I have the opportunity to do the venting correctly, Id love your expertise on what that would look like. 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. There is no way to totally prevent mold in a non-conditioned building, but decent ventilation (via gable vents) will help some. I have a 1950s cape cod. 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. 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. 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