Just like people, houses have to be able to breathe, and that’s the job your attic ventilation performs. It’s a very misunderstood topic, complicated by all the fervor to have "tight" houses for energy efficiency. Besides giving heat buildup a way to escape, exchanging it for cooler air, attic vents flush out moisture from the rooms below, protecting the roof from rotting or developing ice dams in the winter. Having proper attic ventilation makes your home more comfortable year-round. (Fig. 1)
There are a variety of vents to choose from for both the roof and the soffit area. Remember that the air has to have a way to get in, pick up some heat and moisture, and escape back out.
Continuous strip soffit ventilation works best and is easy to install. You can also use either rectangular soffit vents or round "plug" vents. The plug vents (Fig. 2) are much less effective because of their small size, but install easily--requiring only a hole saw and electric drill.
Here's how to install rectangular soffit vents.
1.
Mark the Spot
Use the rectangular vent as a template to mark the area on the soffit that will be cut out. Be sure you place them between the rafters--hint, look for the nails. Drill a starter hole at one corner of each marked box area. (Fig. 3)
2.
Cut the Opening
Insert the saber saw blade into the starter hole and cut out the opening. (Fig. 4)
3.
Install the Vent
Put the vent in place in the cutout and use a cordless drill/driver to screw the vents to the soffit. (Fig. 5)
