From: mja@philabs.philips.com (Michael Amato)
Subject: Re:      Soffit vents.
Originator: mja@hercules
Reply-To: mja@philabs.philips.com (Michael Amato)
Organization: Philips Laboratories, Briarcliff, NY 10510
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 17:18:32 GMT


In article <WOODWORK%92082515521390@IPFWVM.BITNET>,         Doug Cutler <UNCDWC@UNCVM1.BITNET> writes:
|>   I know that this isn;t technically a woodwork question however I also know
|> that there are a number of persons into "home restoration/improvement" on
|> this list ....
|> 
|> 
|>   The time has come to have a new roof put on our house.  A number of people
|> have remarked that the last roof didn't last as long as expected because of
|> heat build up in the attics. We have a two story house with independent attics
|> and we have put an extractor fan in the lower one, it was easy as this is a
|> walk in storage area, but the upper one is a dog to get into so I haven't
|> done that one yet.  It seems to me that as the shigles are going to be of we
|> should have ridge vents put in, the roofers that we have talked to all do this
|> work and it seems to be no problem.

Yes, Ridge vents are easy to install with a new roof. However, there are a few
types ranging in price from very cheap aluminum (exposed and IMHO ugly) to
expensive mesh-like roll vents (hidden) that require a cap (can be 
fiberglass shingles cut as caps as with a reular roof). I just put a hidden
type ridge vent on my house and it looks great.

|>  However in order to make them affective we
|> will also need soffit vents and that is a different ball of wax.  There seem to
|> be three type, "Strip Vents" that involve removing the woodwork to cut long
|> slots.  Nobody wants to takle this, they say the cost would be too high.
|> "Plug" vents some 2" diameter, just drill a hole and push them in.  "Register
|> Vents" 8"x12" or some similar dimensions.  We have 4 estimates and the area
|> of venting is all over the place.  Does anybody know how to calculate what it
|> should be? also any other experiences would be very welcome.  We are looking
|> at a $4K project so I need to have it done right!!!!!

Plug vents are the cheapest and easiest, but I do not think they provide
enough ventalation. The rectangular vents give better ventalation but 
like the exposed ridge vents do not do much for the apperance of the house.
I like the look of the continuous vent, but this will be much more labor
intensive. I just renovated all the soffits on my house when adding a new 
addition. This was very labor intensive [rip out old soffits and facia, shim
as required all rafer tail bottoms (for level soffits)  and rafter tail ends
(for staight facia), rip 3/8" plywood for soffit and install with strip vent,
prime new facia (both sides of boards), install new facia, paint]. A lot of work
but the results are fantastic. Now if your facia and soffits are in good shape
(straight, level, no rot), you could just rip a large strip out of the existing
soffit (not that easy but can be done) and install new plywood soffit with the
strip vent - still a formidable job. 

Have you considered vinal (gasp!) soffits and facia? Some nice colors are
available (most can be painted too I think) and since it is a two story house
the maintenance free aspect is desireable. Still have to open up the soffits
for venting though. Sorry, but I can't help much with pricing. Good luck!

|> 
|> 
|>   Doug. Cutler                       Office of Information Technology,
|>   VM Systems Programmer              University of North Carolina.
-- 
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| Michael Amato  DoD#0639 | "If pro is the opposite of con,       |
| mja@philabs.philips.com | then what is Congress"? - Will Rogers |
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