What Are Soffit Vents? – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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WHAT ARE SOFFIT VENTS?

At any given moment, unseen forces like moisture, mold and animals are hard at work trying to destroy your home from within.  That is where soffit vents come in.  These vents are particularly important because they protect the interior of your roof and attic, which are often out of sight and therefore out of mind. Below is an explanation of  how soffits work to keep your home free from moisture damage.

What Is a Soffit Vent?

A soffit vent is a device that is installed underneath the eaves of a roof that allows for fresh air to get into the roof.  These vents are visible on the underside of the eaves. They create a continuous flow of fresh air throughout the roof and attic, which protects against moisture.

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.   A vent can also get installed in your soffit— appropriately called a soffit vent.  This helps regulate attic ventilation and prevent many issues. Let’s take a deeper look at what soffit vents are and how they benefit your home.

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.

What Is the Difference Between Eaves and Soffits?

Eaves are the part of the roof that extend past the edge and hangs over the ground.  Soffits are vents installed within these eaves to allow airflow.

What Is the Difference Between Fascia and Soffits?

The fascia is the board that runs along the side of the overhang and is typically there for aesthetic purposes.  It’s essentially a trim, although it does provide some support to the shingles.

What Are the Benefits of Soffit Vents?

Soffit vents preserve energy, lengthen a roof’s lifespan and prevent moisture problems like mold and mildew.

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 held attic ventilation by allowing fresh air to circulate and keeping the moisture levels down.

Reduces Energy Consumption

A good, consistent flow of fresh air throughout the roof and attic will better prevent heat from escaping the home. This helps the A/C and heating units work less, which means you reduce energy consumption and therefore lower your energy bill.

Increases Roof Lifespan

Poor attic ventilation is one of the biggest reasons a homeowner might need to replace their roof early.  Proper ventilation will increase the lifespan of your roof by ensuring your attic is getting the fresh air it needs.

Prevents Black Mold

While it may seem strange that allowing cold air in the winter into your attic can improve insulation, the fact is that this fresh air helps ventilate moisture created in the interior home from activities like heating and showering and all the other things people do.  This further prevents toxic black mold from forming by starving it of moisture. This process also helps remove moisture in the summer as well, moving hot air out of the attic.

What Are the Downsides of Soffit Vents?

Soffit vents don’t hold up well against animals and the elements.

Vulnerable to Animals

Raccoons, bats, and other types of critters can tear off the soffit screens to get into your attic and set up shop.  As a result, you should inspect them regularly for damage.

Risk of Damage to the Roof

Because moist air can collect under soffits, they can risk damaging your roof as well as any siding in the general vicinity over time.  Watch for signs of damage and contact a professional if you are concerned about moist air build-up.

False Vents

Some older homes have soffit coverings underneath the eaves, but they are installed directly over wood and there’s no actual vent there.   You can determine if this is the case by removing the panel to see if there’s an option.  If not, hire a professional to convert them into vents.

What Are the Different Types of Soffit Vents?

There are four main types of soffit vents: individual, continuous, perforated, and circular.

Individual

This is probably the most common type of soffit vent.  They fit between joists under your eaves.  They’re called individual vents because it is just one vent all by itself, perhaps with a gap separating it from other individual vents.

Continuous

A continuous event runs along the entire underside of the eaves to maximize the amount of air the vents pull in.

Perforated

These vents are simply perforated vinyl siding that resemble regular vinyl siding, except with tiny holes.  They’re particularly good for keeping animals out.

Circular

These vents are less common because they don’t work as well as other types of soffit vents.  Because of their circular shape they may look like lights installed underneath the eaves, but they are vents.

Can You Have Too Much Soffit Ventilation?

It is possible to have too much soffit venting. Soffit vents are intake vents, and therefore they need to be balanced out by exhaust vents.  If your home is seriously out of balance between soffit and exhaust vents, your soffit vents could be allowing moisture build-up.

How Do You Know If Your Soffit Vents Are Working?

The best way to figure that out if your soffit vents are working is to climb into your attic and inspect them from the inside.  These vents can get blocked by insulation, which can result in severe mold build-up. Check each vent to ensure that there is nothing blocking the vents.

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.

Other Types of Helpful Roof Vents

Soffit vents aren’t the only kind of vent that helps your attic ventilation.  There are a few other types of vents that can be helpful, depending on your needs.

Other common roof vents include:

  • Ridge vents: Ridge vents are installed along the peak of your roof.  They allow hot air to escape through the top of your attic, which helps keep the temperature down.

  • Gable vents: Gable vents are installed in your attic’s gables or end walls.  They help draw fresh air into the attic and can be used in conjunction with other types of vents.

  • Attic fans: Attic fans are a type of active vent that helps move air through the attic.  They can be combined with other types of vents to help regulate temperature and moisture levels.

  • Box vents: Box vents are a type of passive vent that helps draw air into the attic.  They’re typically installed near the gable ends of your roof.

  • Whirlybirds (Turbines): Whirlybirds are a type of active vent that rely on wind to move air through a turbine and into the attic.  They’re typically installed on the ridge of your roof.

As you can see, there are a variety of different types of vents that can be used to ventilate your attic in addition to soffit vents.  The type of vents you need will depend on your home’s design and ventilation needs.

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.