Attic Insulation Gable Vents

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside.

Attic insulation gable vents.

One often sees gable vents that are small in size and clearly won t provide adequate nfva. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. Attic gable vents are unlike almost all other roof ventilation systems. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.

They can be located at the gable peak or somewhere in the field of the gable wall figure 8. The soffit vents are now installed but you still need to make sure there s no insulation blocking the new vents. Without baffles blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all. However if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well sealed from the rest of the house attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic.

Gable vents are installed in the vertical walls at the gables ends. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. For an attic without soffit vents you may have the option to use gable vents instead.

If there s blown in insulation like ours rake back the fluffy stuff with a 3 or 4 ft long 1 x 6 or use a garden rake or hoe. Vents come in various styles. Square gable vent functions as a decorative accent to your home while providing maximum attic ventilation. Covering up the soffit vents with loose fill or batts which can happen if you stuff insulation along the eaves is a huge no no.

For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air.

This ply gem 14 in. 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. Its two piece design is fully compatible with all siding profiles ply gem gable vents are designed to withstand the toughest weather and retain their beauty year after year. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available.

Typically you would have a gable vent on each end of the attic. When used in conjunction with soffit vents they serve as exhaust vents.