How Many Soffit Vents Are Necessary?

Soffit vents are vital in keeping air flowing throughout your attic space. Even if you have other kinds of ventilation devices in your roof, you still need to have soffit vents in order 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.

Building Regulations

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 needed, and how far apart you will have to place them. Check your local authority for the specifit regulations in your area, and get a list of requirements. You could also check with local building inspectors once the soffits have been fitted.

Measure Your Attic

The building requirements will probably tell you to place a certain number of soffit vents per square footage of ceiling, for example you might have to place one soffit vent, and one other kind of vent, for each 150 sq. foot of ceiling that is below the attic. Measure the area of your attic to find out how many you will need.