I am in the process of finishing the 2nd floor of my (unfinished) home. The attic is 24′ across and 4′ high by 40′ long. Volume is 1920 cubic feet. The house has soffet and ridge vents, as well as gable vents. Should I keep the gable vents and if I do how large should they be in order to function correctly?
Thank you in advance for the help. Turtle boy
Replies
Turtlr. Block off the gable-end vents. They cause the ridge vent to short circuit: instead of the air flowing from the soffit vents to the riidge vents, the ridge vent will take the path of least resistance. The ridge vents will take the air from the gable-end vents, thus by=-passing the soffit vents. Hope this helps. GeneL.
Thanks for the info, I figured I would have to increase the size but based on what you are saying, perhaps I could just through some plastic over the inside. I wouldn't want to upset any hornets or bees. Oh what is the rule of thumb to figure out if I do infact have enough openings for the soffet and ridge vents for this attic?
Thanks again Turtle boy
If you`re planning on closing the gable end vents, your soffet vents should be continuous. J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Turtle. Jaybird is correct. Install continuous double louvered soffit vents. Locate the soffit vents as close to the fascia board as possinle. This location minimises the possibility of rain or snow penetration.
You'll find that this continuous soffiit vent provides more than enough feeding for the ridge vent. That is, the ridge vent and soffit vent net free venting area (NFVA)opening should match. Be warned, however, that not all combinations of ridge and soffit vents do not work. Hope this helps. GeneL