Expert: Michael Curry - 8/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: I live near Knoxville, Tennessee. Our three year old house has a ridge-top vent (I think that's what it's called). I just noticed it doesn't have vents in the soffetts. Should
it?


ANSWER: Sorry about the delay Jan - I was away for a few days.
To vent you roof properly you need vents in your soffit and insulation stops which is just a space between the roof plywood and insulation to allow air flow.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the answer. I know there's space under the plywood. The house is 40 feet long and has a 12/12 pitched roof. The soffet width is 12 inches. Could you tell me, how much of the soffet should be vent?

Answer
The space between the plywood and insulation I was referring to is around the top of the walls. If your soffit is not vented there will be no space at the top of the walls to allow air flow. You can get styrofoam insulation stops and on a 12:12 pitch they'll be easy to install - one ever 300 sq' of living area under the roof. As for how much of your soffit should be vented; as much as possible - newer aluminum soffit is completely vented - some is better than none.