Installing Attic Intake Vents

Installing soffit intake vents.

Installing attic intake vents.

Federal housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation evenly split between intake and exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic floor space. Check around the edges of your attic for any wiring. From the roof s peak. This way you don t have to cut a brand new hole but simply make the hole for the vent larger so it can accommodate the fan.

Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge. If two different types of exhaust vents are combined for example a ridge vent and a gable louver the primary path of air becomes the distance between the two types of exhaust vents. Make sure you play close attention to the insulation which should leave a gap between itself and the vent. This creates a natural air flow by drawing in the air from outside pushing it up and out through the vent at the top of the house.

The most common way to add ventilation to an attic is by installing air intakes in the soffits and putting an outlet at the gable of the house. Drive nails up through the sheathing and shingles to mark roof air vent locations. Photos 1 6 show how it s done. That path is supposed to be from low in the attic intake vents to the highest possible exit point in the attic exhaust vents.

You also want a fan that s appropriate for the square footage of your attic space by checking the manufacturer s specifications. Go into your attic. An attic s intake vents are most commonly installed directly in the soffit either as individual vents spaced every few feet or as one continuous perforated soffit running the entire length of the. They are easy to install under the roof s overhang which is known as the soffit are generally hidden from sight and provide excellent protection from weather outdoor debris and pests while still allowing air to flow into the attic.

When you install 2 exhaust vents in the attic they draw air from each other as opposed to drawing air from the intake vents. This is called passive ventilation. Center nails between rafters 18 in. To achieve proper ventilation in the attic.

Then cut out your desired location and screw the vent directly into the soffit. Adding static exhaust vents. At the same time you need to create a balance between the exhaust vents and the intake vents. Soffit vents are one of the most popular intake vent styles.

As a result the attic ventilation will not be effective in cooling the area. Drive a nail through your attic to mark where you want your vent. Set your circular saw at 1 8 inch 0 4 cm greater than the thickness of your roof s soffit when installing an intake vent.