How many attic soffit vent 'truss chutes' do I need?

20 years ago

I'm adding some insulation to my attic and I'm convinced I haven't been getting enough ventilation. I had the roofer add some roof vents when he reshingled. The siding fellow took out the 8"x12" soffit screen vents (just left the holes) when he put vinyl soffit wrap on. The remaining part seems to be the flow of air from the soffit vents to the roof vents; that seems to have been plugged up with blown-in insulation.

I've been thinking of putting an air chute between every set of roof truss; basically, all the way down each side. Some people have been telling me that's too much; that the attic will become too cold.

My theory is there isn't such a thing as too much attic ventilation (but I could be wrong ; ) The attic area is 40'x40', there is plenty of insulation above the ceiling, there are no pipes or other runs in the attic, and the climate is very (very!) cold winters.

Thanks! for any advice.

Featured Answer

lswendrowski

20 years ago

Bear with me - I'm doing this myself and I want to do it right. I under the baffles at the soffit vent trusses and then put fiberglass batting to prevent any blown insulation to get through, but what about the areas where there are no vents? Do I just put the fiberglass batting? Do I put a baffle in each truss along with the batting? I guess I need a little more detail on this. Can you help?

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Comments (9)

tom999
20 years ago
Your attic should be the same temperature as outside, so how can it be "too cold" ? Your living area is "wrapped" with insulation, which you heat and cool, not the attic. You may not Need ventalation in each roof rafter bay, but I doubt it will harm anything. You want to keep the warm moist air from the house from causing moisture on the underside of the roof.
MrHab
20 years ago
What Tom said is correct. You should have one between every rafter/truss. We call them baffles here, but they probably have different names in your area, etc.
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sawtooth
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks, Tom999 and MrHab. Any tips you can share with me on how to make the job easier? Do I just buy the baffles and start stapling them in place? Are some baffles better than others? Anything I need to watch for as far as ensuring the top plate is well insulated?

Thanks! I'm ready to get this done.
measure_twice
20 years ago
Yes, please, any suggestions to make it easier?

I wear a hardhat, but even so I get scratches from roofing nails. Oh joy.
roliepolieolie
20 years ago
I've done it as well, without the hardhat, and yes I poked my head. I just reached as far as I could and stapled as best I could and just put one between every truss I could get one to fit in. Besides, they are cheap. Your time is the only real cost.

I actually did a paper baffle thing between the top of the wall and the bottom of the roof to hold my blown in insulation in place. The baffle thing had punch out at the top to fit around the styrofoam vent. I used the brand Durovent I think.

I don't know much, but I think the idea that there is no such thing as too much attic ventilation (well, you know what I mean) is correct.
mindyb
20 years ago
Which side of the baffle gets stapled onto the attic truss? (paper or yellow fluff?)
MrHab
20 years ago
They don't get stapled to the trusses, but to the underside of the roof decking material(plywood, etc.) Just be sure one end extends down into the soffit area and the other end extends up higher than your insulation. Then go ahead and install your insulation around them. All they need to do is ensure adequate airflow from the soffit into the attic area. And yes....watch those roofing nails!!
rjoh878646
20 years ago
lswendrowski,
Just put chutes in every space. and put in the fiberglass batting. They are cheap enough. Then you can put in more vents and get more air into the attic.