Highlights
- A soffit vent goes under the eaves of the roof to ventilate the attic.
- They reduce energy consumption and increase roof lifespan.
- They’re vulnerable to animals and may damage roofs.
- The four types are: individual, continuous, perforated, and circular.
How to install soffit vents in 7 steps?
How to Install Soffit Vents Step 1: Create Two Parallel Lines. Start by using a chalk reel to snap two parallel lines in the middle of the soffit. Space the lines 2 in. the distance, allow the hole to overlap the cut ½ in. on each edge. Step 2: Cut the Parallel Lines. Photo by Merle Henkenius
Are soffit vents really needed?
Soffit vents are vital in keeping air flowing throughout your attic space. Even if you have vents in your roof, you still need to have soffit vents to allow the air to circulate naturally. There are a number of different types of vents to choose from, so getting the ones to suit you should not be difficult, although you will still need to work out how many to purchase.
How to vent soffits properly?
Use “eye-brow” vents that are on the top of the sloping roof surface near the soffit/eave area. Focus on the other ventilation you have in the attic. If you are installing a new roof, consider a drip edge vent.
Do soffits need ventilation?
The amount of soffit ventilation you need will depend upon building regulations. There are strict rules about exactly how many soffits, also called air intake vents, are required and how far apart they must be. Check your local authority for the specific regulations in your area and get a list of requirements.
Are soffit vents necessary?
So, does my roof need soffit vents? A roof may need soffit vents if there is no other ventilation allowing for adequate air movement. However, if the attic space is properly sealed and insulated, there is no need for this type of ventilation. There is no question that a standard attic space should be vented.
How often do you need a soffit vent?
every 150 square feetMost professionals generally agree that you should have one square foot of ventilation per every 150 square feet of attic, but make sure to review your local building codes to ensure proper ventilation.
Where do you need soffit vents?
Should I Add Soffit Vents? If your home is fitted solely with small gable-end vents or a ventilator high in the roof, you might want to consider adding soffit vents to increase airflow. These vents allow outside air to enter the attic at the lowest point of the roof—along the underside of the eave.
What are vents in soffits for?
A soffit vent is a type of roof vent that you install under the eaves of your roof that extend over the walls of your home. Soffit vents help balance the ventilation in your roof and provide airflow to your attic (which may extend the life of your roof).
What if I have no soffit vents?
If you don't have soffit vents, we recommend you add some other vents in the lower part of the attic that can function like soffits. For some homes, you could try adding vents to a porch ceiling that could act like a soffit and feed the attic.
Can you have too much soffit venting?
You can't have too much soffit venting, but it's worth noting the minimum requirements. Usually, 4-in. by 16-in. soffit vents are rated for 26 sq.
Should soffit vents be covered with insulation?
The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house. The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION — use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow.
How do I know if my soffit vents are working?
A smoke test is the best way to check if your soffit vents are clear and unobstructed. To do this, you will need a smoke bomb or incense stick. Go into the attic, light the smoke bomb or incense stick, and hold it near the soffit vent. If the smoke gets drawn out of the attic, the vent is clear and working properly.
Do soffit vents help cool house?
Attic fans cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air through soffit vents and pushing hot air outside. If you have blocked soffit vents that are not well-sealed from the rest of the house, it will suck cool air up out of the house and into the attic.
Do soffit vents need to be cleaned?
You should clean soffit (eave) and other types of attic air intake vents at least every couple of years, if not annually. The best way to clean them is with blasts of compressed air to blow away dust, dirt and any loose insulation that may have fallen into the soffit area.
Do soffit vents let bugs in?
Soffits themselves may have small, bug-proof vent holes in them that let in light, and that's OK, Boggs said, but if you see light streaming in where the soffits meet the wall, “that's a problem.” Attic vents let light through, too, but need to be screened against bugs.
When should you use vented soffit?
The primary reason for installing vented soffit is to ensure that your home has proper air circulation in the attic. While it may seem contrary, having proper ventilation actually prevents issues related to moisture build-up and increased energy costs.
How do I know if my soffit vents are working?
A smoke test is the best way to check if your soffit vents are clear and unobstructed. To do this, you will need a smoke bomb or incense stick. Go into the attic, light the smoke bomb or incense stick, and hold it near the soffit vent. If the smoke gets drawn out of the attic, the vent is clear and working properly.
What is the 1 150 rule?
The minimum amount of attic ventilation remains 1/150 (1 square foot of Net Free Area for every 150 square feet of attic floor space. Attic floor is defined as length x width FLOOR of the attic). The amount of ventilation can be reduced to 1/300 (in effect 50% less) BUT 2 conditions must be met effective 1.1.
How far apart should circular soffit vents be?
Roof ventilation Push in vents - Products 1140/1141/1142 All provide a free airflow of 1600mm2 per unit and should be spaced at 160mm centres to achieve ventilation equivalent to a continuous 10mm opening.
Do I need to replace soffit vents?
If you have a soffit vent system, it's important to make sure that the vents are clear and open in order for them to work properly. If your soffit vents are clogged or not working correctly, it's time to replace them and ensure that your roof's ventilation system is working properly.
What soffit vent material is right for me?
Metal soffit vents – copper or steel – are a favorite of roofers and contractors because they are resistant to water damage and other elements. This makes metal soffit vents a perfect choice for lifelong-use in any climate.
How do you seal soffit vents?
You can avoid these natural threats by making sure the soffit vent has an airtight seal.
Do all homes use soffit vents?
No. Particularly with older homes that don't have eaves or soffits, you'll have to choose a different ventilation option. Sometimes contractors will use turtle vents or turbine vents in place of soffit vents.
Where is soffit vent located?
Soffit is a French word and literally translates to something fixed underneath. Soffit is most commonly found around the underside perimeter of a home’s roof, but can also be found on the underside of porches, columns, arches, and other places with ...
What is soffit used for?
Soffit serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. It serves as a cover for your eaves to hide exposed beams. In addition, soffit is available in an array of colors and styles to coordinate or contrast with your home’s current exterior siding.
How does soffit work?
Soffit helps your home achieve the right amount of airflow circulation without allowing moisture to accumulate around the beams and interior elements of your home. This ventilation is achieved through mini-holes or vents in the soffit. These vents make your home breathable and provide air circulation to your attic.
How does soffit help your home?
Soffit helps your home achieve the right amount of airflow circulation without allowing moisture to accumulate around the beams and interior elements of your home. This ventilation is achieved through mini-holes or vents in the soffit. These vents make your home breathable and provide air circulation to your attic. For optimal ventilation, soffit vents are paired with either ridge or gable vents.
Why is soffit important?
Soffit is an important piece of the puzzle in preventing ice dams. Soffit helps to increase ventilation for your roof and attic, which ultimately helps prevent ice dams. In addition to proper ventilation, however, adequate insulation is also needed to prevent warm air from making it’s way into the attic which in turn heats up your roof ...
Is soffit important to curb appeal?
It’s a subtle upgrade that can make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal. Aside from complementing the exterior of your home, however, soffit is critical for a variety of reasons and we will review those below.
What is the purpose of a large soffit vent?
The larger the soffit cavity, the large the soffit vent will need to be to accommodate the required air flow for that cavity. Your engineer and/or architect as well as your local building code will need to be consulted for your specific needs.
Why are soffit vents important?
Why Soffit Vents Are So Important For Your Building. If you have been having issues with poor air circulation in your soffit and overhangs, you may need to install or replace the soffit vents on your building. Soffit vents are indispensable to any building that has an overhang that may trap heat.
What is a Soffit Vent?
The most important question to start with is, what is a soffit vent? The term “Soffit” is construction term for an overhang or exterior ceiling of a building that is perpendicular to the ground. The term “Vent” is obviously short for Ventilation and refers to how the product performs as a tool for ventilating an area.
Why is Air Circulation through a Soffit Vent Important?
Air circulation through your building’s soffit is important for the overall wellbeing of the building’s substrate and framing system. Perforations in the trim allow cool air to flow into the closed soffit and hot air to escape, especially during the summer months. Many may think that a soffit vent is unnecessary in a colder climate or possibly during the winter months, but this is also an important time for soffit vents to do their jobs. The movement of air keeps the soffit cavity dry and prevents condensation from rotting the substrates and other building materials. This condensation can really be a factor when the outside temperature may drop below the inside temperature of a building and its overhangs.
Why does soffit dry out?
The movement of air keeps the soffit cavity dry and prevents condensation from rotting the substrates and other building materials. This condensation can really be a factor when the outside temperature may drop below the inside temperature of a building and its overhangs.
What is aluminum vent?
Aluminum vents are typically manufactured in a heavier gauge of material which adds strength to them as well as requiring a certain kind of perforation that prevents many types of “nes ting” insects from entering the soffit cavity.
Can you install soffit vents?
With the right tools and a basic knowledge of handling metal trim, soffit vents can be installed relatively easily. Planning the installation of any soffit vent revolves around the type of soffit material that is being utilized.
Why do we need soffit?
Functionally speaking, soffit protects your rafters from the weather elements. If your rafters are exposed in any areas, you’ll likely have mold buildup and rotting beams to replace — which definitely won’t make for a fun (or cheap) Spring. Plus, mold in a home is never healthy. Also, soffit helps your building breathe.
What is soffit made of?
It is commonly made in aluminum and vinyl, as well as fiber cement, wood, and steel. For this article, we’ll focus on soffit for its primary use — the roof overhang. Soffit serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose for a building’s roofing system.
What is the material that connects the roof overhang and the side of a building?
The material connecting the roof overhang and the side of your building? That’s soffit. The word “soffit” is derived from the French language, and literally means “something fixed underneath.”. It’s most commonly used around a building’s main roof, but soffit can also be used under porches, under arches or columns, ...
What happens to rafters in winter?
In the winter months, snow and rain would ultimately lead to moisture buildup, and you would eventually have rotting and/or mold in your rafters and sheathing .
Which is better, aluminum or vinyl soffit?
Based on sales volume of homes and buildings across the US, aluminum and vinyl soffit are the runaway winners. They are the most cost effective to manufacture, the easiest to install, and they weigh less than the alternatives. Let’s run through the pros and cons for aluminum and vinyl:
What is the phone number for soffit?
If you have more questions for us, just give a call and we’d be happy to help. Our phone number is 1-610-779-1357. Also you can shoot us a quick message if that is easier.
Can you vent soffits?
If solid soffit is more of your style, no problem — just make sure you have vents installed to enable proper air circulation through the attic. Or, for every few soffits you install, you could install a vented panel to assure air flow.
What Is a Soffit?
This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “something fixed underneath”.
Why is soffit important?
Soffits are integral to the rafters of your roof and serve several important functions ranging from aesthetics to helping keep your utility bills in check.
What is fiber cement soffit?
Using a fiber cement soffit can help you keep the aesthetics of your home without the maintenance or other issues. Fiber cement soffits come in both smooth and wood grain finishes, vented and unvented, so you can choose which option works best for your home.
What is soffit for exterior?
Aesthetics are secondary, but important as well. Soffits provide a finished appearance for your exterior; without them, you would be looking at the rafters making up the underside of your roof’s overhang. Soffits come in a range of colors and materials, as well as a few styles, including smooth and wood-grain finishes. It’s common to invest in a soffit that matches or coordinates with the rest of your exterior appearance, to help give your home a cohesive and polished look.
What causes a roof to become superheated?
Your soffit covers the underside of your roof, and therefore a portion of your attic space. Heat builds up inside of attics over time, both from the sun beating down on the house, and from the energy rising within . If this heat isn’t given proper ventilation or air flow, it can cause your roof to become superheated.
Why is it important to keep your attic cool?
In the winter months, keeping your attic cool helps prevent condensation that can result in mold growth, and helps prevent the snow on your roof from melting, running to the edge, and collecting where it can form an ice dam. Ice dams are one of the biggest causes of roof leaks, which in turn cause even more damage, ...
Why is it important to ventilate the attic?
Ventilation is also important for helping to keep humidity levels in your attic down. Without proper ventilation through your soffit, humidity could build, causing problems such as mold, mildew, and wood rot. Aesthetics are secondary, but important as well.
