| Attic Soffit Vents |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-502 |
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Q: My attic gets unbelievably hot. What can I do about it? A (from DIY home-improvement expert, Brad Staggs): Attics can be cooled down substantially by adding some attic ventilation. One option is the addition of soffit vents (figure A).
The soffit is the area beneath the eaves of your roof, just outside the exterior wall (figure B). Vents installed here are inconspicuous, and are an effective method of allowing fresh air to circulate into your attic space. Soffit vents are inexpensive, and are available in various sizes and finishes. Most can be painted to match the color of your house.
Materials: Soffit vents
Mounting screws
Jig saw or keyhole saw
Cordless drill; screwdriver attachment
Spade bit
Safety Alert: For this job, wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from falling or cast-off debris. It's advisable to wear eye protection any time that you are working with power tools.
- Important: To install the vents, holes will need to be cut into the soffet. When cutting the holes that will allow ventilation, it's critical to make certain that you don't cut into your roof rafters. Cutting the rafters could weaken the structure of your roof. Use a stud-finder to help you determine where the rafters are located (figure C) before you begin cutting the vent holes. Visible nail or screw heads on the outer soffit surface or fascia boards may also give indication of rafter locations.
- Once you've determined the locations of the rafters, use the vent itself as a template to establish mark the locations where you'll be cutting (figure D). Once you've scribed a line around the outside of the vent, remember that you'll need to cut a hole slightly smaller than the dimensions of the vent. Make your cuts about 3/4-inch inside the lines to incorporate an allowance around the edge into which the mounting screws will be secured.
- You'll be cutting into the lower surface of the eaves using a jigsaw or keyhole saw. You'll need to drill some holes in the wood soffit (figure E) in order to insert the saw-blade and begin cutting. Use a cordless drill and a spade bit to drill the holes into the wood (figure F).
- Once you've drilled the holes, use the jig saw to make the cuts inside the scribed lines (figure G).
- With all four sides cut, carefully remove the cut-out (figure H).
- Center and install the vent over the hole using self-tapping screws (figure I).
- Install the vent so that the louvers point toward the house (figure J).
RESOURCES :
Roofing (Quick Guide)
Model: 1880029375
Author: David Schiff
Creative Homeowner Press; April 1995
136 Best Ways to Save on Your Home Energy
ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002)
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
Retrofitting for Energy Conservation
Model: 0070119201
Author: William H. Clark
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
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