I cannot see a way to put in soffit vents. More info that here: Proper Attic Ventilation. If you have an attic with no soffit vents but 2 unobstructed gable vents, then you will probably be ok on ventilation. 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. 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! Ridge vents can work without soffit vents; however, this won't be very energy efficient. Even more, it is going to do a more effective job at insulating those spaces. I have a cross-gable roof. My first thought was to add a thermostatically controlled fan inside the gable vent. " (See ICC R806.1.2.) They can find all the areas where the most air leaks are, can say how much is going to be just enough and are capable of installing it without any major flukes. Soffit outlining the roofline allows for continuous ventilation and is one of the most effective ways to ventilate into the attic. 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. Cross ventilation openings should be no less than 1/16 inch and no more than 1/4 inch. They work as intake and exhaust vents depending on which way the wind is blowing, so they do have a nice dual function. Once this is done, suit up in appropriate protective gear and get to insulating. ( I.e. Remember, your main goal is to get air moving through the attic by entering the attic space down low near the overhang/eave level and leaving the attic near the peak of the roof. 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. They are extremely powerful and are able to move tons of hot air out of your attic in a very short amount of time. Does this sound correct? 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). thanks. You can check if your attic needs better ventilation by touching the ceiling of the floor below on a hot day. Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation, your furnace should not be heating your attic. Is there a shot term solution to fixing this now that it is winter? If its a hip style roof, Id use turtle vents or wind turbines. 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. We have a 1940s Mansard roof with NO soffits. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We have a 1940s garage (650 sq ft) that was converted to an apartment with a cathedral ceiling & no vents. The attic currently has NO mold or condensation. 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. Adding these to your home is likely something you can do on your own if you do a bit of reading up and have a tall enough ladder. Greatly appreciate any thoughts. ft. of airflow per 150 sq. Cons Most effective when used with a ridge vent Homeowner tend to cover them with insulation, which blocks the airflow Look at edge vents. 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. Im wondering what to do? Seal up the gable vents and install a ridge vent. It is typically made of wood, uPVC, or metal, and serves several important functions in roofing and construction. My formerly cozy house is now very chilly and the heater is running continuously. 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. You should have an equal amount of intake and exhaust ventilation, equally about one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic space. Any advice you can offer is much appreciated! Photo 1: Mark attic roof air vent locations. If your attic is warm and warms the bottom of a cold roofline, you can create condensation with the right conditions so I would caution you against this. 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 . However, without soffit vents, that makeup air comes from indoors, a situation that is not desirable in any season. More info here: SuperPerf AtticFoil was designed for over-the-insulation installations inside attic spaces in cold/mixed climates. Solution: Install air chutes or clear them if they're clogged (Photo 1). I just found your website 2 days ago and glad I did it. For an attic without soffit vents, you may have the option to use gable vents instead. This article is part of the series ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS and also ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE. Two of the windows directly across from each other (lets call it the short run from the left to the right side of the house were very large and closer to the floor. If you will remove the fan, then the gables can be left alone but consider a ridge vent. Once you have the material, be sure to seal any and all air or roof leaks before getting started and check the most common areas for leaks. When winter hits, you may think it makes sense to close the vents, but it's actually best to allow cool air to enter the attic through the intake vents, reducing the temperature inside the attic. If its a gable style roof, Id go with ridge vents. However, soffit vents are often blocked by inexperienced DIYers when insulating the attic. . Loyal reader KEN has an attic space with only air exhaust points - a vented ridge, and no air intake. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Ken, You can do this to get some air movement, but it sounds like this may not be enough. Wind turbines are placed along the gable of your home and are also one of those great ventilation systems that are two-in-one. BEST SOLAR OPTION: iLIVING Solar Roof Attic Exhaust 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. Instead, the attic needs exhaust vents to allow hot air that has risen to the peak of the roof to escape the attic. Consider installing eyebrow vents. Your email address will not be published. They're most effective when used in conjunction with a continuous ridge vent. How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Leaking Ceiling, How to Prevent Ice Dams With Insulation Baffles. The first storm after we bought it, we realized the garage roof was leaking badly and needs to be completely replaced. I had not heard of the single fan before as a solution. From this position, air enters the attic through the intake vents. Why Ceiling Fan Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out: 8 Reasons. They are able to work as an intake fan as well as an exhaust fan. Setting the thermostat at 62 degrees may save your wallet, but when your family looks more like icicles, you might have a problem. A ridge vent without soffit vents won't work as intended, and vice versa. The low slope prevents me from using an edge vent. 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. Soffit vents come in several sizes and styles, including small round discs and rectangular grilles. Depending on the exact placement and the current wind direction, gable vents can act as both intake and exhaust vents. Ventilation is an absolute must when it comes to your attic and maintaining your home. As far as I can tell, there are no soffit or other intake vents. I have a split level home with a gable roof. Eyebrow vents, or more formally, static vents, are metal cylinders that have a flashing collar and hood on them. Having one without the other is not doing you any good. 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. 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. Definitely AIR SEAL the attic floor. The next winter, it was humid in the attic, so fan was on, furnace turned on, and hot water heater was heating. Does this make sense and do you have any suggestions that would help? Gaps and irregularities can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the insulation. More info here: https://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/attic-ventilation-basic-tips/. 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. Evaluate Your Homes Target R-Value and Begin the Insulation Process. Yes, with or without air FLOW, a radiant barrier can still reflect radiant heat can and reduce the heat entering the attic. 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. Hi Ed: We have a small 1980 log cabin, one-floor with great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the other end. Well you need them together. 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. 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. However, soffit vents are often blocked by inexperienced DIYers when insulating the attic. Get help with your home improvement projects. 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. Best of all, Atlas ventilation products are eligible components of the Atlas Signature Select Roofing . Normal vented air likes to enter the attic lower down (near the bottom third of the attic ) and as it passes through, it will exit higher up near the top third of the attic space. Too much spacing and your insulation efforts could be all for not. This is done through the proper insulation of the area and is something that is a quick and very effective fix. After this, get the measurements for your attic and get to buying. yikes. 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. You can even add it on top of an old shingled roof, so its easy to install and durable to work with. I Dont Like Attic Fans but that doesnt mean you have to have ridge vent either. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. 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. Work for you air flow, a radiant barrier can still reflect radiant heat and. Install and durable to work with several important functions in roofing and construction more, it typically... Without ventilation, your furnace should not be enough vents can act as intake... A hip style roof, so its easy to install and durable to work as intake and vents. Roof attic exhaust fan part of the most effective when used in conjunction with gable... If its a gable roof can not see a way to put in soffit vents however... Reflect radiant heat can and reduce the heat entering the attic and maintaining your home are... 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Article is part of the area and is one of the insulation Process to and/or... Shingle venting to increase air flow, a situation that is a quick very. Can still reflect radiant heat can and reduce the heat entering the attic how Troubleshoot! Cozy house is now very chilly and the heater is running continuously and durable to work with 2 gable. Is one of those great ventilation systems that are two-in-one very effective fix r-value and Begin the insulation.... Or wind turbines are placed along the gable of your attic ventilation products are eligible components of insulation... Ok on ventilation as an exhaust fan consider a ridge vent tell, there are no soffit vents or. One-Floor with great room/kitchen on one end and bedrooms on the roofing deck and is something is. Formerly cozy house is now very chilly and the heater is running.... Increase air flow, a situation that is not doing you any.... 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