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Cape Cod attic ventilation

scaly | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 1, 2003 05:32am

I’m wondering if my 3 y/o cape cod is vented properly because my carpenter buddy says no but some literature I’ve read says yes. It’s a typical cape with knee wall attics. There is bats of fiberglass insulation in between the studs of the knee wall and there’s also insulation in between the trusses. I’m told insulation between the trusses is wrong by my buddy, however, when I peeled one of the insulation bats back (they’re paper faced one side and stapled to the truss) I noticed the truss is 6x lumber and the insulation is for 4x, so there is about 2″ of air gap between the insulation and roof sheathing. When I look down the insulation, I can see day light (soffets) and when I look up, I also see day light (ridge rent) so I think that is a good set up, but he disagrees.

 

 

 

First Iraq, then France, then Hollywood!

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  1. User avater
    BossHog | May 01, 2003 05:39pm | #1

    I'd say you're right, for the most part. A combination of ride and soffit vents are best. And you need the airspace you mentioned to allow for airflow.

    Venting is controversial here, and you may get a lot of different wildly different opinions. Hope you enjoy the ride......

    Ambiguous headline: STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE

    1. User avater
      scaly | May 02, 2003 01:54pm | #2

      "Hope you enjoy the ride......"

      Well, where is it?

      First Iraq, then France, then Hollywood!

      1. User avater
        BossHog | May 02, 2003 02:15pm | #3

        Who knows? Sometimes a controversial subject will start a flame war, other times the whole thing just slides by without a wimper.

        Of course - You got the finest possible advice, so you don't really need any more...................(-:History never repeats itself. Historians just repeat each other.

        1. User avater
          scaly | May 02, 2003 02:55pm | #4

          Not that I doubt your opinion, but I'd like a couple more. I don't feel like fighting mold and buckling sheathing in a few years if I can do something now to prevent it.

          I think I'm ok also, except I wonder if I should have some of those foam or plastic channels in the air space instead of just exposed fiberglass. Do you think plain exposed fiberglass will collect moisture and/or mold in that 2" air gap?

          Thanks.

          First Iraq, then France, then Hollywood!

          1. User avater
            BossHog | May 02, 2003 03:06pm | #5

            So, you make fun of my advice, then ask me another question ???.................(-:

            I wouldn't bother with the styrofoam chutes, as long as there's a clear air space. The chutes are mainly so the airflow doesn't get blocked.

            If you don't get more opinions here, try searching the archives. A great deal has been said about venting.The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their committment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. [Vince Lombardi]

          2. DaveRicheson | May 02, 2003 03:45pm | #6

            And a great deal of venting has been done about this subject.

          3. User avater
            scaly | May 02, 2003 03:51pm | #7

            Thanks. I'd never make fun of the Boss!

            First Iraq, then France, then Hollywood!

          4. User avater
            BossHog | May 02, 2003 04:11pm | #8

            "I'd never make fun of the Boss!"

            Why not? Everybody else does........

            Did you see the mean things Theodora was saying about me in the tavern? (sniff)Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when a man has only one idea.

          5. User avater
            scaly | May 02, 2003 04:35pm | #9

            No. I don't listen to my own woman, why listen to someone elses?

            First Iraq, then France, then Hollywood!

          6. User avater
            BossHog | May 02, 2003 04:54pm | #10

            Good point.

            But I was just venting..........................(-:The ballet. I've been meaning to go, but I'm waiting for bat night.

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