Hello folks,

I've been framing my attic for a future master bedroom. I have some major issues before any insulation & drywall go up. 1st off I noticed some leakage around the chimney and also in a few other random areas. This tells me a tear off and a new roof since theres 3 layers of shingles...FUN WOW! Now get this.......I have one 4" round vent at 1 gable end and that is it for ventilation! Here's my questions... Would it be sufficient to drill 1" or 2" holes every 2-4 ft on my soffits? Ofcourse these will be plugged with your typical 1 or 2 " vent plugs. I will install another gable vent on the opposite side. The 4" vent on the other gable will have to stay.......reason being is my electric wires are anchored at the peak where you would install a triangular gable vent. So if you can picture a 4" vent off to the side of the wires that's what I have. I could open it up a bit more for a rectangular vent but scary bizz with the wires there......one bad stroke of the sawzall and I'm fried! My attic roof measures 32' L x 28' W. My dimensions after the room will be 32' L x 14' W and 7' for my ceiling height. This room will have your typical slope & knee walls.Based on my info what would you recommend for good ventilation. I'd like this to be simple and fast that's why I was thinking vent plugs at the soffit......however I want a comfortable living area up there so I'll do what it takes!......Open for all suggestion!!!

Thanks
Tom

 

If it's a given that you're going to have to replace the roof, I'd give some thought to installing a ridge vent system when the new roof goes on, if your roof profile is favorable to do so.

For proper attic ventilation, which is crucial to ensure the life of the new roof, there needs to be an equal amount (in sq ftg) of intake vents (installed at the soffit) and exhaust vents (installed at or near the ridgeline of the roof).

I think you'll find a couple of threads if you'll do a forum search in the roofing & waterproofing forum. Good luck.

 

A ridge vent will be installed when the new roof goes on this spring. I've searched the threads for attic ventilation and my question still remains. Are 1" or 2"vent plugs sufficient drilled will say spaced apart every other 24" center. Or will I need to put one on every 24" center......or the burning question here will these plugs provide enough intake air flow??? My overhang is only 10" so cutting rectangular holes for other vents would be much more tedious. Also with the 4" round hole at the gable end I have now......will this be OK or will I need to open that up more???

 

1 sq " per sq ft of attic for vent 1/2 in and 1/2 out. As for my self I do not like ridge vents at all and dont use them. Some have a filter in them that gets stopped up with dirt . Also the snow can stop them as they set low on the roof. Id get some good gable vents for each end ED

my .02 cents

 

Thanks Ed! So I'm good to go with a 2" vent plug every 2 ft.
I'll play with the gable end that has the 4" round vent.....something tells me it won't be enough air flow. Really don't know what I can tuck in there at this point since my space is limited due to the wires. A ridge vent will go up regardless.....figure it can't hurt since I'll have the gables open as well. Though I'm not at this point and won't be till I roof I'm curious what R- value to use for my room. All studs are on 24's...the slope walls will have the rafter 2x6.....collar ties are 2x4 as well as my knee walls. My thoughts were r-30 for the ceiling.....r-19 with foam baffles for the slope walls and r-13 for my knee walls. Is this what you'd recommend??? Also I hear so much talk about radiant barriers though I'm skeptical to use them solely for insulation. Would it help to roll this over the insualtion I install for extra r- value?? Can't beat the price of that stuff and I can fit it into my insulation budget.......what's your take on that??

Thanks
Tom

 

AS far as R/B as is called Dont spend your time on it. Yes it helps some to start but the dust gets on it and it done for. So said your gov. The rest sounds good. You dont want any insulation on the slope to the roof to touch the roof. you have to have the air get through there.You could use the Extruded foam rafter vents also just there on the slope so the air can get over it. ED

 

Thanks much Ed! I was going to use r-19 over styrofoam baffles underneath the slopes........those $1.29 jobers you'll find at home depot to provide air flow underneath the r-19.

 

sharvel,

I'm a big believer in ridge vent, as I stated before, some don't like it, but hey everybody's got an opinion, that's why this site is so great, you'll get lots of options & opinions to think about.

As to those wires, you're worried about; not sure how the local utility works where you're at, but around here, UE will come out & drop a home service line in order for you to do siding/soffit work or tree trimming, no charge, you just have to give them a heads up 2-3 days before the work is planned. I've had them do this numerous times and they were always there when needed & no charge to me or the home owner. The lines are insulated, but like you I don't like working around high voltage wires, just takes one mistake for a disaster to happen. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

 

Thanks much for the input Awesomedell!.....I was going to get a large triangular gable vent and cut that in half........definitely would of looked strange. Never dawned on me to call my electric company to drop the lines. I'm going to use gable vents & the ridge vent for my exhaust ventilation....my take is it can't hurt! I need to cool it down as much as possible in the summertime.

Merry X-mas!