Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed

kw151002 · 06-25-2009, 06:36 PM

Next week I am starting to replace my roof of 20 years and I need some advice about ridge vent. The roof currently has roof vents (aluminum type) and no soffit vents. The end of the roof is just closed. The over hand where the soffits should be are about 8" maybe - so my question is should I add some soffit vents and go with a ridge vent to help reduce the heat build up? thanks

Just Bill · 06-26-2009, 07:17 AM

Yes. Ridge vents don't do much without soffit flow. The idea is to have air flow from the soffit to the ridge. This prevents moisture from forming on the underside of the roof sheathing. There are vents that can be added to the soffit no matter how small the overhang. Check local roofing/siding suppliers.

adpanko · 06-26-2009, 07:18 AM

Yes, a ridge vent is the best form of passive venting (ie no powered exhaust fans involved), but it won't do much if you don't have soffit vents, or some other way to let air from outside draw in and allow the hot air to escape through the ridge vent. So yes, you should put in soffit vents as well. But make sure that on the inside of your attic that insulation is packed into the joists all the way into the soffits. Because if the soffits are clogged up with insulation on the inside, then vents won't do anything.

kw151002 · 06-26-2009, 08:04 AM

Thanks, do I cover up the gabel vents that are their now?

adpanko · 06-26-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw151002

Thanks, do I cover up the gabel vents that are their now?

I don't believe you have to. You probably can if you want, so long as you have proper soffit venting. But I don't think there would be any harm to leaving the gable vents. I'd say it's not worth the time to take them out and close up the hole(s).

kemp · 06-26-2009, 02:26 PM

My house has turbines and gable vents. The heat build up in the attic came to my attention when I started re-roofing and doing some remodeling.

As part of my remodeling, I tore off all the wood from under the overhangs. It just so happened that we put on a new roof a few weeks later. The ridge vent area was left uncovered for a few days. So, in effect, I had a huge ridge vent a totally open soffits.

In those few days, the attic stayed amazingly cool. (It was hot, of course, just not sweltering like it had been before.)

We are switching to a ridge vent and soffit venting. I ran across an article while I was researching how to properly size the ridge vent and soffits. You might find it useful as well: http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/odor_6.html

06-25-2009, 06:36 PM	#1
kw151002 Newbie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed Next week I am starting to replace my roof of 20 years and I need some advice about ridge vent. The roof currently has roof vents (aluminum type) and no soffit vents. The end of the roof is just closed. The over hand where the soffits should be are about 8" maybe - so my question is should I add some soffit vents and go with a ridge vent to help reduce the heat build up? thanks

06-26-2009, 07:17 AM	#2
Just Bill Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 3,098	Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed Yes. Ridge vents don't do much without soffit flow. The idea is to have air flow from the soffit to the ridge. This prevents moisture from forming on the underside of the roof sheathing. There are vents that can be added to the soffit no matter how small the overhang. Check local roofing/siding suppliers.

06-26-2009, 07:18 AM	#3
adpanko Remodeler Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Central NJ Posts: 215	Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed Yes, a ridge vent is the best form of passive venting (ie no powered exhaust fans involved), but it won't do much if you don't have soffit vents, or some other way to let air from outside draw in and allow the hot air to escape through the ridge vent. So yes, you should put in soffit vents as well. But make sure that on the inside of your attic that insulation is packed into the joists all the way into the soffits. Because if the soffits are clogged up with insulation on the inside, then vents won't do anything.

06-26-2009, 08:04 AM	#4
kw151002 Newbie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 9	Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed Thanks, do I cover up the gabel vents that are their now?

06-26-2009, 02:26 PM	#6
kemp Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31	Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed My house has turbines and gable vents. The heat build up in the attic came to my attention when I started re-roofing and doing some remodeling. As part of my remodeling, I tore off all the wood from under the overhangs. It just so happened that we put on a new roof a few weeks later. The ridge vent area was left uncovered for a few days. So, in effect, I had a huge ridge vent a totally open soffits. In those few days, the attic stayed amazingly cool. (It was hot, of course, just not sweltering like it had been before.) We are switching to a ridge vent and soffit venting. I ran across an article while I was researching how to properly size the ridge vent and soffits. You might find it useful as well: http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/odor_6.html

Ridge Vent/Soffit Advice Needed