Anyone make their own soffit baffles?

[1233user]

I am starting to plan the insulating of my new garage and I was thinking about making my own soffit baffles out of either plywood, frp, or 1" thick foil backed foam board. I would put nailers up so there would be at least 1 1/2" between the bottom of the roof sheathing and the baffle. I don't like the store bought baffles because their irregular shape would allow air infiltration into the fiberglass insulation used in the ceiling. If I use something flat like plywood or frp, I can easily install a vertical piece of something to go from the top of the wall to the bottom of the baffle that would seal the area and eliminate the possibility of air infiltrating into the fiberglass insulation. Has anyone else done anything like that?

 

[info2x]

Thought about it. Even cut up the foam to do it. Problem was that I was going to do it as a retrofit and it was too much of a PITA to do for me. Like you though I didn't like a lot of the baffles sold at the big box stores. I ended up using http://www.brentwoodindustries.com/...-ventilation/accuvent-accublock.php#accuvent1 for my project. Interestingly enough I you can buy them through HD online and my project was big enough that I got free shipping. I've since found a local supply house.

They were pretty easy to install even as a retrofit and since they extend over the top plate they made a huge difference in my house. I suppose you could foam the edges to get a good seal but that was too much for me.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

At my fathers house we used cardboard. Actually waxed cardboard boxes used to ship produce and meats to the local grocery. That was 30 years ago.
Still working fine when I put his X-mas decorations away a couple months ago.

 

[JakeKohl]

At $1.62 each, I didn't see the point. I ordered these online at HomeDepot and they worked great. Just don't hit them with a pneumatic stapler as they'll shatter around the staple. Use a hand stapler.

My hand stapler was crappy and it fell off the ladder and broke into 20 pieces. I did end up using my pneumatic stapler and used a little romex insulation between the staple and the baffle to cushion the impact from the staple...I had a ton of scrap insulation laying around from all of my wiring where I stripped it in the boxes.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax...y-and-Soffit-Vent-in-Black-ACCUVENT/202962730

 

[Majordisorder]

Usually the pre-folded ones work perfectly but I have made them out of foil faced foam. Made 1" spacers out of foam as well and install with a Pegarius type foam gun and friction.

 

[rieferman]

I'm w/ Jake above. I used the pre-made and they went up fine, work as intended. For such a low price I didn't even consider trying another process.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I used cardboard for mine, but I would now use the pre made ones if I needed to. No problems with the cardboard ones yet...

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

You're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Don't over-think it or over-engineer it.
Buy the pre-made ones and move on to a different project.