Too Much Soffit Attic Ventilation

Roof ventilation keeps the air moving and stops mold from growing but too much ventilation can be just as bad as having none.

Too much soffit attic ventilation.

The two main dangers associated with too much ventilation involve roof damage and increased utility bills. As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in. And when you put too many products on your roof that s improper ventilation. A wind turbine catches the wind and spins a fan which pulls hot air outside.

Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. Length x width of attic in feet 150 total sq. If a roofing contractor is going to be out of balance with the attic ventilation system it s better to have too much intake than too much exhaust because the excess intake converts to exhaust on the leeward side of the house. All it takes to grow mold in your attic is stagnant humid air.

There can be more soffit ventilation but never less soffit ventilation than ridge ventilation for new and remodeled construction i recommend installing a ridge vent and that all the soffits. What happens is people put too many products on their roof. While effective at pulling in cooler air the biggest problem posed by this type of soffit vents is their positioning. Let owens corning roofing help you calculate exactly how much ventilation you will need for a healthy and balanced attic with our 4 step ventilation calculator.

Homeowners can too easily inadvertently block them when insulating the attic. Anything less than balanced is not optimal. For most of us the attic is a place to store clothes luggage and old family photos but for energy researchers it s a hot topic of discussion. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca.

Dangers of too much ventilation. With a power switch or a thermostat installation an attic fan can be turned on to let hot air from the attic out. Calculate the total vent area needed multiply the length of the attic times the width in feet to find the attic area then divide by 150 to find the total square feet of vent space needed. Soffit vents help increase the airflow are easy to install and only cost about 3 per 8 ft.

Enter square footage calculate or enter the square footage of the attic or area to be vented. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed. To find out how many soffit vents you need to install.