Any roofers here ? Attic ventilation

**DSM4Life** · 04-26-2011, 03:20 PM

I been doing lots of internet research and i am getting mixed reviews. The house we are buying has soffit vents located all around the base of the roof (with those egg like spacer things to stop blockage from insulation) and ridge vents running the entire span of the roof. Is that enough ventilation ?

I had the home inspector recommend having a attic fan cut into the roof which looking into it will cost $350. From what i read half say soffets and ridge venting are enough and the other half say get a fan. Your opinion ?

**jtuner77** · 04-26-2011, 03:26 PM

Get the fan.

**HitIt** · 04-26-2011, 03:43 PM

if the roof is bathed in sunlight all day sure...

**Shol'va** · 04-26-2011, 03:49 PM

We had our roof replaced about 2 years ago and had a thermostatically controlled power roof ventilator installed. In the summer time extreme heat really builds up in your attic so with that thermostat set at like 90-95 degrees it will help keep the attic cooler, saving on your over all energy bill. Get a good quality one that will last, as there are a few out there that wear out after the first couple of years.We paid about 70 dollars for the ventilator. And if you want to go all high tech, they have them now with built in solar panels on top so they don't use any of your electricity to operate.They are sized based on square footage of your roof.

**cro** · 04-26-2011, 04:05 PM

some roofs have 5 or 6 in in just 35 square.ventilation is key .

**Bryan2** · 04-26-2011, 05:45 PM

Make the investment now and you will get rewarded for it later.

Deff keeps the house much much cooler in the summer.

**DSM4Life** · 04-27-2011, 06:28 AM

Its not the money but more if there is a need for it. I have come to the conclusion that i DON't need one. The research shows that mixing ventilation methods is a big no no. Having soffits around the base and ridge vents at the peak should be enough. The air should intake into the soffits and be pulled out the ridge vents. They call this a "balanced ventilation system." When you add a fan you can interrupt that flow throwing off your airflow causing hot air to remain in the attic untouched. I have included some pictures.

Yes i have a lot of time on my hands

**MBMETC** · 04-27-2011, 06:56 AM

thats all i had on my ranch style home and it worked well, that with a kick ass central air system the home was very efficiant and cols as a mofo

**DSM4Life** · 04-27-2011, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by MBMETC

thats all i had on my ranch style home and it worked well, that with a kick ass central air system the home was very efficiant and cols as a mofo

Can i come over and .....see it ?

**cro** · 04-28-2011, 04:18 AM

if it has a steep pitch the vents on the eav are worthless.heat rises........ you need an exaust fan by the peak.... im a general contatractor ......... (mason) but ive been in the trades for years ,know a little bit about this...

**DSM4Life** · 04-28-2011, 06:38 AM

I have a ridge vent at the top of the peak that spans the length of the roof.

**cro** · 04-28-2011, 05:25 PM

thats gtg then as is.

**higgy** · 04-28-2011, 05:58 PM

I used to do construction work of all kinds, and when we finished a roof there were at least 4 vent fans. The homes were anywhere from 1500-2400 sq.ft. They all had vents in the soffit and a ridge vent. There are codes in place where I'm from, that contractors must follow, and the fans in the roof were mandatory.
I hope this helps, good luck.