how do i keep blown insulation away from soffit vents?

[andis65]

so i might have put the cart before the horse here. I just finished the inside of my pole barn with OSB walls and tin ceiling. I'm ready to blow insulation up there and realize i have nothing in place to keep it from blowing over and covering my soffit vents(Atticat is hard to control) I see they sell baffles for the air but that wont keep it from migrating over around the area not covered by the baffles, and now that the ceiling is in it would be difficult to get over there to install plywood or something as a dam..not impossible but difficult. Has anyone run into this or have a idea to help me keep the fiberglass from sitting on my venting????

 

[jonzer12]

most "moore" vents or baffels are designed to be bent and stapled to the top plate to take care of this.

 

[JakeKohl]

soffit baffles. ... but they're much easier to install before you put a ceiling in .

You can go with the waffled foam type that you slide down into the soffit from above and they'll do OK. I prefer the type that staple down to the top plate on the wall and staple to the roof sheathing to seal out the insulation really well...but those should be put on before your ceiling goes in.

 

[k p]

Would it be difficult to access this area from outside? Removing the soffit venting might be a slightly easier solution.

 

[bullnerd]

Would it be difficult to access this area from outside? Removing the soffit venting might be a slightly easier solution.

That was my first thought also. Then slide the foam ones up in there. Might depend on the building design.

 

[Highbeam]

Remeber though that this is a pole barn that is typically built with roof purlins running horizontal on edge instead of truss bays.

The blocking using those flaom things is very expensive and not a very good solution when your trusses are 12 feet apart.

Go around the outside and install batts of a thickness that does not block your ventilation and then fill in the middle with blown in. You'll have to get your body down near the lowest part of the attic to place the batts. Yes, it would have been easier before the ceiling was installed but it is not impossible to set those batts now.

 

[Alexbn921]

They used treated cardboard in my attic. They stapled them to the rafters before they blew in more insulation. We were having problems with condensation near the vents and that fixed it. If you live in cold climate you will have problems with out them.

 

[andis65]

my trusses ae only 4 feet apart but still too big for one of those baffles to fit snug, unless i liquid nail them together? going to be tricky for sure

 

[383 240z]

Does anybody have a photo of this done correctly? Having a hrd time understanding what is going on here. I was considering insulating above the ceiling, and since it's not up yet, now would be the time to prep for it. Keith

 

[bullnerd]

Third pic down,you can see the foam baffles sitting on the floor. You can also see the trusses above. My trusses are 4' apart, two of these baffles fit real nice in each bay. HD has two styles,one is better than the other in my eyes.I bought samples and tried both.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3474964&postcount=24

 

[andis65]

how come i cant see a picture when i click your link ??

 

[bullnerd]

Dont know? I can see it,LOL. Not the best pic, I was just trying to explain to Kieth what it looks like. Try this. Hopefully they will be installed soon ,so I will have better pics.

 

[383 240z]

So they sit horizontal and attach to the header and the first purlin on the trusses? Keith

 

[Highbeam]

Yes. They aren't designed for pole barns but for a residential top plate and truss setup. So you'll need to be creative.

In the end you need to prevent loose insulation from blocking the flow of air from the soffits to the attic above the level of the loose fill.