Soffit Vents

With the increase in awareness of energy conservation, greater attention has been paid to role of the attic in the home. It is essential that the attic is well ventilated and the industry standard for providing this is through the use of soffit vents. Soffit vents are unobtrusive and are available in a lot of finishes from plastics to metals like copper.

In warmer climates, improper ventilation can cause your air conditioner to have to work harder. In colder climates, improper ventilation can lead to ice dams and frost and condensation problems. Do not avoid ventilating your attic out of fear that you are letting cold or hot air into the house. Your actual living space should be sealed and insulated at the attic floor.

Soffit vents help balance the outside air with the air inside your attic. The temperature and dew point should be as balanced between the attic and the outside air as possible. Outside air should enter your attic at the bottom edge of your roof, along the underside of the eaves. It is exhausted through the soffit vents at the top of the roof. Thermal convection and wind are used to help recycle the air in your attic.

Maintaining a properly vented attic will increase the efficiency and comfort of your home. Soffit vents can help decrease humidity, thus decreasing rotting of joists, and saving costly repairs later.