Home Alternative Green Energy

Installing a proper attic ventilation system is essential for your home for various reasons. It plays a key role in eliminating the effects of external temperature on the internal areas of a building, thereby helping to cut down on energy expenses. During the winter, a vent system reduces the development of moisture in the attic, which causes frost and condensation in the lower parts of your roof. If water condensation occurs in large quantities, it can lead to ghosting, ugly patches, wood rot and failure of the roofing material. Similarly, in the summer season, poor attic ventilation can elevate temperatures within the building, causing damage to shingles and roof boards. Thus, good attic ventilation is a must for proper insulation and it starts with perfectly installed soffit vents.

About the Soffit Vent

A soffit is the lower side or underside of any structure in a building. The word 'soffit' is a derivative of the French word 'suffigere', which means 'to fix underneath'. However, in popular usage, soffit is mostly used for the area underneath the ceiling, stairs and cornice. Soffit vent refers to the ventilation system installed underneath the eaves sections of the building. It helps to regulate air flow into the room by allowing fresh air from the outside to enter the attic. Every home has some sort of roof ventilation system installed at the top edge of the roofline. Some of the popular roofline ventilation systems are hip roof, gable vents and individual roof. These conventional ventilation systems are effective but they do not draw fresh air into the attic. However, when coupled with a soffit vent, the overall performance of these conventional ventilation systems increases manifold. The soffit vent works to draw fresh air to the base of the roofline; while the normal vent systems release hot and humid air into the external environment.

Different Types of Soffit Vents

Soffits vents are available in two variants – continuous and individual. Continuous soffit vents run through the entire length of the soffit. These are narrow vent systems, ideal for buildings with narrow eves. They are highly efficient and blend well with the normal architecture of the home. Individual soffit vents are customized to fit into the soffit joints. This feature makes these soffit vents highly popular in the market. They are easier to install and help significantly in maintaining the internal temperature of the building.

With advancement in science and the art of manufacturing building components, integrated soffit vents are available in the market. These vents are pre-installed in the soffits. Thus, you are not required to install a vent separately into the soffit underneath the eaves section. 

How to Assess Your Soffit Ventilation Need?

Proper soffit vent installation is a pre-requisite for good ventilation inside the building. Most builders understand soffit vent requirements of a building and install this vent system in new homes. However, in older homes, soffit vent systems are usually missing. In such a scenario, you can buy vented soffit boards. These boards are available in different colours and styles to suit individual requirements. They are easy to install and fit into the fascias. While buying a soffit vent board, ensure that they follow standard regulations set up by the building and construction governing authorities, such as the BBA (British Board of Agrément) and the CSTB (French Scientific and Technical Centre for Building). The BSI (The British Standards Institution) also inspects the quality standards of fascias and soffits in the UK. Look for BSI kitemarked products for best value for money. 

You can opt for vented soffit boards manufactured from the lead-free calcium organic compound, PVC-U. This compound helps in conserving nature by eliminating the environmental impact of lead elements. Unlike normal plastic products, the uPVC compound is extracted from highly synthetic plastic so that it can retain its shape, colour and texture for a longer period of time.