It s pulled into the attic from the soffit where it warms up and becomes lighter and less dense and then escapes through the vent in the gable.
How to ventilate attic without soffit vents.
However if the home has no soffit it is quite a different matter.
Soffit vents come in several sizes and styles including small round discs and rectangular grilles.
For this reason the square footage of vent space at the base.
Thankfully there are some ways around this dilemma.
These vents allow outside air to enter the attic at the lowest point of the roof along the underside of the eave.
Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.
They re most effective when used in conjunction with a continuous ridge vent.
This pressure creates a vacuum drawing in the cold air to replace the hot air that has been lost through the gable.
Vents come in various styles.
Cooler air is heavier and denser.
For more information on ventilation and moisture control read this article i wrote on proper attic ventilation it s my position that you should have a proper ventilation system in your attic and that you should always take the time to air seal the floor of the attic.
This creates a natural suction phenomenon where the ridge vent is sucking air out of the soffit vents creating a natural ventilation cycle.
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The function of soffit vents.
When hot air rises up through the soffit venting it then keeps rising all the way up to the ridge vent.
Even without soffit venting it is important to provide an air gap at the soffit level to help keep the roof deck dry.
Rafter vents or insulation baffles install in any rafter space to create narrow gaps that direct fresh air from the soffit vents to the peak of the roof.
For proper ventilation it isn t enough for air to simply get into your attic.
The important thing to remember is the air must flow through the attic to the roof vents somewhere near the ridge of the roof.
Roof eave venting on roofs with no overhang or soffit how to correct improper or inadequate attic or under roof ventilation in buildings detecting and correcting attic condensation and preventing ice dam leaks in buildings how to correct improper or inadequate attic or under roof ventilation in buildings.
For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves.
The main idea of the ridge vent is to act together with soffit venting to properly ventilate the attic.
Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.
If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents.