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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

IMPORTANCE OF SOFFIT VENTS TO YOUR ROOF AND HOME

Most people only think of a roof as the shingles and nothing more.  But there are actually numerous components of a complete roofing system.  The soffit is one of them— an architectural feature that covers the exposed underside of your roof overhang.  This helps regulate attic ventilation and prevent many issues.

What is a Soffit Vent?

When it comes to air flow, your soffit vents are one of the most important pieces of attic ventilation.  A soffit vent is a passive vent that collects cool air and allows it to flow into your attic space.  When it comes to venting, you should have an intake and exhaust.  Soffit vents pair with various roof vents, such as gable vents, ridge vents, turtle vents, and more.

What is Soffit?

The soffit is the overhang of your roof.  It can come in different materials such as aluminum soffit, vinyl soffit, James Hardie soffit, wood soffit, and more.  The soffit acts as a barrier to prevent animals and insects from entering your roof space.  Getting an animal or insect infestation in your attic will create problems with your insulation or worse.  Additionally, the soffit helps shield your rafters from moisture from getting into your home.  Worn, cracked, or damaged soffit can create a place for moisture to enter and start to form mold or mildew in your roof.

Function and Purpose of Soffits

A soffit serves two primary functions: Aesthetics and protection.  While the latter is the more important of the two, the aesthetic quality of a soffit can make or break a home’s overall look.

Aesthetics

Soffits cover the bones of the roof that overhang the side of a building.  Soffits mount to the underside of the roof overhang, also called the eave, and complete the construction with a finishing material that typically matches or contrasts the siding.  Without the soffit in place, the rafters and sheathing would be visible, which would give most houses an unfinished look.  However, there are many homes designed to have open eaves, which don’t have a soffit in place, leaving the rafters intentionally visible as part of the home’s design.

Protection

The most crucial function and purpose of a soffit is to protect your home.  You may wonder how a finish material mounted beneath an eave can offer any significant protection to a home, but you would be surprised.  The most obvious protection offered by a soffit is the barrier it creates, which prevents bugs and other creatures from entering the eave and attic.  Less obvious but equally important is the ventilation that the soffit provides to your attic.

By ventilating your attic, the soffit prevents the attic from “superheating,” which can have expensive consequences.   A superheated attic will break down shingles and other roof components prematurely, raise your utility bills by causing your HVAC system to work harder, and can even lead to roof leaks in the winter due to improper snow melt, which results in ice dams.

A vented soffit prevents superheating by providing constant airflow through the attic space.  Typically, the soffit vent acts as the intake while an exhaust vent is installed in the form of a ridge vent, static vent, powered vent, or turbine vent.  A properly covered eave will protect the wood from the elements, which can cause moisture damage and rot. Additionally, the ventilation provided by a vented soffit will prevent moisture damage in the attic itself, by providing airflow.  Without a soffit or other ventilation in place, excess moisture in an attic can lead to mold, mildew, and rot.

Are Soffit Vents Important?

Soffit vents are important for the flow of cool air in and hot air out of your attic.  A blocked vent can cause heat to accumulate in your attic and restrict the flow of air.  Without air movement, the heat in your attic can lead to several problems.

Some are long-term and others will be immediately noticeable.  With a blocked soffit vent, you may encounter:

What Are Soffit Vents?

A soffit vent is an opening in the soffit itself that allows air to flow into the attic.  This is important because it helps circulate the air and prevent moisture build-up, which can lead to wood rot, mold growth, and other serious problems.

There are two types of soffit vents: passive and active.

• Passive vents are simply openings in the soffit that allow air to flow in.

• Active vents have a fan or other mechanism that helps move the air.

Most homes will have a combination of both types of vents.  The passive vents are usually located near the ridge of the roof, where hot air rises and can escape easily.  The active vents are typically located lower down on the soffit, where they can help draw cooler air into the attic.

Why Are Soffit Vents Important? (Benefits)

Soffit vents are important for two main reasons: they help regulate temperature, and they help prevent moisture build-up.  You might remember learning that hot air rises in your science classes.  This means that the attic can get quite warm during the summer months.  If the air in the attic is allowed to build up, it can start to warp the wood and lead to other problems.

Soffit vents help by allowing that hot air to escape.  This keeps the attic cooler, which helps protect your home and prolong the life of your roof.  Moisture is also a big problem for attics.  If the air in the attic is too moist, it can cause wood rot, mold growth, and other serious issues.  Soffit vents help attic ventilation by allowing fresh air to circulate and keeping the moisture levels down.

Do All Homes Need Soffit Vents?

Not all homes need soffit vents.  Older homes may not have soffits in the first place.  Some newer homes are designed with other means of ventilation, such as ridge vents or gable vents.  But in general, most homes will benefit from having soffit vents.  They’re a simple and effective way to help regulate the temperature and moisture levels in your attic, which can help prolong the life of your roof.

Take a peek at your home’s exterior if you’re unsure if your home has soffit vents.  You should be able to see them near the eaves of your roof.  If you don’t see any vents, your home may not have them.  If you’re not sure whether or not your home needs soffit vents, it’s best to consult with a professional.  A roofing contractor or home inspector can take a look at your attic and make sure it’s properly ventilated.

How Many Vents Do I Need?

In order to know how many soffit vents you need for your home, you’ll need to check with your local building codes.  The requirements vary depending on the size and type of your home.

• In general, you’ll need about one square foot of venting for every 150 square feet of attic space.

• So, if your attic is 1,500 square feet, you’ll need about 10 square feet of venting.  This can be a combination of passive and active vents.

You may also need additional vents if your attic has any special features, such as an air conditioner or bathroom exhaust fan.  These can increase the amount of moisture in the air and require additional ventilation to prevent problems.

If you’re not sure how many vents you need, consult with a professional roofing contractor who can help you determine the right number of vents for your home.

Work With a Trusted Local Roofing Contractor

Having a reliable partnership with a local roofing contractor is a necessity for every homeowner.  Their expertise comes in handy for far more things than just needing a new roof.  If you want to reduce your energy bills, limit mold growth, and avoid ice dams in winter, you need a professional roofing contractor to help with your roof ventilation.