Replies

1. 
   florida | Jul 31, 2003 04:33am | #1

   I don't know where you are but give this a read for another point of view about attic ventilation.

   http://www.buildingscience.com/topten/south.htm

2. 
   CapnMac | Jul 31, 2003 05:09am | #2

   Simplest answer is to get the round vents, and install them between the tails.  Your life will be much easier if you prepaint the vents to match beforehand.  If the tails are spaced widely enough, you can put more than one, but that is a judgement call, as you are affecting the appearance.

   Now, if you have to do work under the overhangs anyway, sometimes a simple change can be added.  With exposed rafter tails, there is usually a vertical between the tails.  If you take that piece out, you, often, can replace it with a not-wide piece of continuous soffit vent in a horizontal orientation (you may still need some vertical trim, depending on roof pitch).

   You probably ought to think about a ridge vent for imprioving airflow, too.  Detailing one can be a pain, but the appearance is much nice than mushroom or squirrel-cage ventilators.

1. 
   jmo2 | Jul 31, 2003 05:24am | #3

   Thanks for both answers...

   (p.s.  Who makes "the round vents"? I'm a do-it-yourself'er for the first time running wild with ignorance and a bunch of house books.  I DO know, however, to call in the professionals if I want to do something even medium complicated.  But I like to know what to ask for...)

1. 
   jmo2 | Jul 31, 2003 05:27am | #4

   And I'm in Chicago.  With no ventilation.  In fact, many of our windows are currently GLUED shut by the previous owners.

   We're doing what we can to save this poor place.  And promote our contractors as much as possible for the excellent craftspeople they are.  Today, we also gave kudos to this message board.

   http://www.houseinprogress.net

2. 
   Houghton123 | Jul 31, 2003 05:49am | #5

   Try to locate the local lumberyard used by contractors.  You'll find the round "snap-in" vents in various sizes -- you drill a hole with a holesaw, and the vents drive in with a mallet, with little tangs on the side preventing falling out.  They look vaguely like an opened aluminum tuna can, with the bottom of the can being louvered and slightly larger than the sides of the can.  Also examine the foundation vents, which (out here, anyway -- don't know about the Midwest) come in several widths of rectangular shape and in metal frames or wood picture-frame looking frames.

   I personally find rectilinear shapes less obtrusive on our house than I would find round shapes.  What's feasible and appropriate on your place depends on so many factors, of which accessibility of the blocking between rafters is probably the most important.  Before you buy anything, get an idea of the size and shape of your choices, make a cardboard mockup, and tape it in place so you can see what it would look like.

   When I put the soffit vents in our Victorian, I used narrow foundation vents, wood framed.  They're not at all unattractive, in my opinion.  I vividly remember installing them in summer weather -- when we installed the top vents (ugly turbine vents, due to limited "ridge" on our modified pyramid roof), we could feel the temp drop; when we installed the soffit vents, we could feel it DROP.

   I would also encourage patience.  This kind of retrofit project, while very important, is also very, very time-consuming.  When I put the soffit vents on, one and a half stories up for about half the house, I figured I had accomplished something big the first weekend when I got half of them in.

   A technical hint: buy a "job saw" or "jab saw," a handle designed to take hacksaw blades or reciprocating saw blades (hacksaw blades go in with the teeth pointing toward you; no choice with recipro blades).  I've got a couple, of which my commonly used one is made by Stanley, though if I were buying from scratch, I'd consider Milwaukee's.  Any decent tool store will have at least one model.  This is an essential hand tool for a remodeler.

   Bill Houghton

3. 
   Houghton123 | Jul 31, 2003 05:51am | #6

   P.S.  If you want to e-mail me directly about this, I'd be happy to talk.

   Bill Houghton - [email protected]

4. 
   CapnMac | Jul 31, 2003 06:06am | #7

   Who makes "the round vents

   Good heavens, I probably wouldn't know if asked, just that they're in the bin on aisle with the soffit vents <grin>

   It just occured to me, that you will want to examine how/where your attic insulation terminates by the plates.  You may only have a narrow "window" of space above the insulation and below the roof deck--this would preclude round vents.

   Keep at it though, the chicagoland area bungalows have a lot of character, and are worth some sweat in keeping/restoring.

   You might check out the American Bungalow site, too; they have some neat links/resources.