Our house is situated on the puget sound in WA. The wind has a couple miles of open water to pick up speed before reaching our house broadside, where it is forced into the soffit vent on the one side creating something of a gale in our attic. Additionally the attic was turned into sort of a funky living space with plenty of air intrusion and insulation issues. It gets a bit breezy up there.
My question: is there some sort of soffit vent that closes when the wind pressure is too great? Many designs come to mind but I know from experience not to actually go down that route, I already have enough to do as it is.
Another thought was to close that side off in the winter or just restrict it a bunch. I’m not really sure how important attic ventilation really is in our climate.
Thanks for any input.
Bob
Replies
Bob,
I would be interested as well as I work in Fla where wind-driven, horizontal rain is a huge problem as it enters the soffits. Many of our homes have turned to solid, blocked soffits to prevent this. Folks go with ridge vents or off ridge vents to pick up some ventilation. Not as good as air flow through the soffit but don't have to worry about water coming in either.
Mike
"I'm not really sure how important attic ventilation really is in our climate."
So venting the attic is very important, i am a couple hours north of you with the same climate.
What kind of soffit do you have on there right now?
There is about a 1 inch wide opening the entire length of the house along both sides with a screen to keep out bugs. The overhang varies from 1 to 1-1/2'. There is also a continuous ridge vent (interrupted by the chimney) that we had put in when we had the roof redone. Our house is a very simple shoebox with a relatively low pitched roof.When we first bought the house the soffit vents were plugged with boards screwed in place. I think one of the first things here I did was to remove those strips of wood.
Everything should be good to go assuming that you have enough venting at the top also.I would worry about getting the funky living space sealed up and well insulated and i think you will find you won't notice any attic issues any more.
Additionally the attic was turned into sort of a funky living space with plenty of air intrusion and insulation issues. It gets a bit breezy up there
Fix those issues, then reevaluate the venting "problem."
Thanks, of course you're right but it doesn't seem like having all that air pressure in the attic is necessary.
Thanks!
Bob
Attached are a few quick sketches. First, as I under stand it, what you have now. The second one would be a more ideal scenario. Probably not feasible for you though...
Sounds like what you do indeed need is some kind of variable vent that closes shut when the wind pressure blows on it.... never seen one - doubt one exists.
As a work around, how about putting the cover strip back over the existing vent but only leaving a 1/4" or 1/2" gap? Make the gap as far outboard on your soffit as is possible. Maybe create a bit of a lip as shown in the better scenario drawing...
Just throwing out some ideas...
Hey thanks for spending the time to draw it out! Thanks
Bob