4 Easy Ways Of Venting An Attic Without Soffit Vents
One of the basic & typical intake vents when it comes to attics is a soffit vent, also known as an “eave vent”, that will help air to enter the attic down low, near the eaves. Intake air is extremely important when it comes to maintaining a proper flow of air across the attic space. Air enters low before escaping out of the attic higher up near the top of the roof, generally through a ridge vent, an attic fan, static roof vents, or a high-mounted gable vent/fan. Remember, it is not a good idea to mix exhaust vent types (passive vents with active fans). Even without soffit venting, it is crucial to provide an air gap at the soffit level in order to help keep the roof deck dry. You should have a proper ventilation system in your attic and always take the time to air seal the floor of the attic. If you are looking to vent an attic without soffit vents, follow one of the below-mentioned ways carefully:
Way 1: Using Gable Vents
- One of the best ways when it comes to venting an attic without soffit vents is to use gable vents. Generally, gable vent should be on each & every end of the attic. Normal vented air find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory to enter the attic lower down i.e., near the bottom third of the attic & as soon as it passes through, it will leave higher up near the top third of the attic space.
- With two unobstructed gable vents in an attic, there will be good ventilation & you will be OK. Therefore, there is no need of soffit vents in an attic. If you are looking to staple radiant barrier up on the rafters and your attic is still having problem getting into that window of about 10-degrees of ambient temp, then it is best to take into consideration to increase your ventilation in order to get you closer to ambient.
Way 2: Using Low/Eyebrow Vents
- If gable vents do not work to vent an attic, then another best option that you can try is smaller eyebrow vents that are mounted low on the roof slow in order to make sure that they can act as intake vents.
- Keep in mind, you need more entry points at the perimeter, underside edge of the roof in comparison to the exit points at the top of the roof. The majority of the people have a lot of exhaust vents but not sufficient amount of intake vents.
Way 3: Using A Ridge Vent
- Adding a ridge vent is another option when it comes to venting an attic without soffit vents, as they are a good choice however, you are not sure whether it will work or not, since you don’t have soffits. If you don’t have soffits, then it is highly recommended not to install a ridge vent.
- A ridge vents work by drawing air upward as well as out of the attic space. However, if you don't have intake, where is the ridge vent going to draw the air from: the majority of the time, may be 9 out of 10 times, it is going to come from your leaky attic floor.
Way 4: Using A Modified Solar Fan
- Another option for homes having no intake vents would be to use a modified solar fan. You will reverse the wires in order to make the fan blow INTO the attic as your intake. If you go this route, you will need extra vents that will allow the air to get OUT. It is highly recommended to use static vents for this purpose. This method is called “positive pressure ventilation” that should only be used as a last resort.