I am buying a home and the inspector said that it needed more attic ventilation. The house is about 1200 sf, built in 1939, and has two gable vents (one on each side). I have spoken with several roofers about installing additional ventilation and they all gave me very different answers (and prices). One of them said that I needed soffit vents every 6-8 feet and vents in the roof (I don't know what kind are the best). His quote was $200/vent. Another said that I only needed soffit vents ($275/vent). Another said that I don't need any vents at all, and ventilation isn't necessary in my home. :confused: I don't know much about roofing or ventilation, but I DO know that I don't want to replace my roof in a year or two and I don't want moisture to build up, etc... I need advice on the best option for our attic.

I've been reading and searching these forums for several months now, as I am getting ready to start down the path of refinishing my attic. I live in a 1989 2 story brick house with an attic that I believe was built to be finished. It has a staircase to it, as well as skylights in the attic, that to me, indicates that the attic was meant to be finished. That's apparently what the first owners wanted to do, but never did. The second owners didnt really think about doing that, but when they put the house for sale, they did mention that you could finish it for living space. I'm the third owner. Basic construction facts : floor joists are 2x8 16" OC except where they look to span about 18 feet (over hallway on second floor) where there are 2 of them 1 1/2 inches apart. The hall is 3 feet wide. Other longest span is in master bedroom where it is 14 feet 2 inches but looks to be just 2x8 16" OC. Most spans are just 12 feet. The species of wood is either pine or douglas fir, but i wouldnt be able to tell you which. The attic subfloor is already down - 3/4 inch 4 x 8 plywood. Roof rafters are 2x6 16" OC. It is a hip roof (slanted on all 4 sides) with 64 inch ridge vent area (ridge vent slightly smaller) For insulation, I plan on placing 2x4's perpendicular to roof rafters, and then on top of those 2x4's, running parallel to rafters, more 2x4's (on end) to build up enough space for R30 insulation. My biggest concern is the ventilation of the roof, specifically the 2 ends of the roof where the rafters just dead end onto the hip rafters so even with those styrofoam spacers between insulation and roof, there would not be any circulation to ridge vent. Any ideas, help, suggestions would be appreciated. As an added bonus, see my earthlink homepage, with pictures! and descriptions. home.earthlink.net/~mis4marty thanks in advance batman.