I am looking to increase (actually start) the ventilation in my attic. I have a 1970s home that has a very low pitched roof and the roof/shingles extend down over the 2nd floor of the house...I believe it's called Dutch Colonial style. In other words I have no soffit or gable venting because there is no soffit or gable to vent with the design of the house. Right now there is no ventilation at all in the attic and there is a tremendous temperature differential on the 2nd floor in summer because of the heat of the attic I believe. Any recommendations on venting my roof without soffit or gable vents (also unable to do a ridge vent because its a duplex)? I considered an attic fan but I believe I'd need intake for air to make that work properly. Can I add a vent or two to the roof somehow to at least allow hot air to escape without an intake for cooler air? Any suggesitons would be much appreciated...thanks. Matt

Hello, I'm new to the DIY thing. I live in VT where we get a lot of ice and snow, and am wondering what the best type of gutter is that would stand up to this kind of weather, and/or how to prevent them from being torn off by the snow and ice (I have a shingle roof, but with about a 2-foot tin edge). I've also read a little about french drains, but not sure if it's worth the time (in the ground around my house there appears to be what used to be a french drain, I can see the end of one pipe sticking out the front yard, I found it when I cut down a large pine shrub that had grown over it). Should I bother with gutters and just try replacing the old french drain?