How much vented soffits should i use?

[catch22]

Im just in the process of ordering my siding and soffits,but im not sure how much of the vented and how much of the non-vented should be used.
Im going all the way around the garage so do I just put a few of the vented every so often,or do I do the whole thing with vented?
I do have a ridge vent installed.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thank Mike

 

[bigjmcconnell]

I believe the "proper" thing to do is calculate the air flow for your ridge vent then match the vented soffit so it is the same.

Personally, I just used one vented piece after 3 solids.
--John

 

[Junkman]

Mine is all vented that is open to the attic. The sides are not vented, since there is no reason to use vented soffet

 

[PAToyota]

Same as Junkman - continuous vented soffit and continuous ridge vent.

[edit]I do have a semi-cathedral ceiling, though. Which means that I need to ventilate each rafter bay rather than an entire attic space.[/edit]

 

[boiler7904]

Technically, you want to balance soffit venting with ridge or mechanical venting. Having the entire soffit vented shouldn't create problems though.

 

[GSSFC]

Depends on your type of insulation.

If you have a cathedral ceiling you need to have sufficient airflow for each and every rafter bay. If you have an insulted flat ceiling (floor of the attic) then you can get by with less soffit ventilation.

Tim

 

[carguykeith]

Local code here is 1 sq ft of soffit vent per 150 sq ft of roof area, but doing every soffit wouldn't hurt anything. Just remember your bug screen to keep the bees out...

 

[dipper]

I did fully vented soffit on the sides, with the ridgevent at the top. Solid soffit on the gable end walls.

 

[Willy Victor]

Mine is all vented soffit.


Willy

 

[JimmyM]

I have a 1' overhang both front and back and is all vented soffit with baffels I also have gable end vents as well as a ridge vent

 

[Synergy]

You dont list where you are located.

I just fought a bunch of wildfires fires in LA. Flying embers contributed to a lot of attic fires from gable, soffit, and eave vents. As a fireman I look at vents where I live in a different perspective.

 

[RAYJAY]

100% vented here can't have enuf air flow

 

[idoine in toronto]

In my area, Toronto, Canada, the general rule of thumb is 1/300th open vent area to roof area ratio for slopes of 1:6 or greater, and 1/150 for slopes less than 1:6.
Make sure to balance the intake and exhaust vent areas.