Should roof vents be insulated?
• While roof vents need to be installed using a waterproof membrane and overlapping shingles so moisture can’t get in under them, they shouldn’t be insulated. Soffit vents also need to be left uninsulated to allow airflow. • A properly insulated attic will have insulation across the floor/ceiling joists, but where the floor meets the roof joists (over top of the soffits) there will be no insulation. • Contractors often use attic rafter vent/baffles installed between the roof joists to keep insulation from migrating into the area over the soffits and blocking airflow. These vent baffles are available at home and hardware stores for the DoItYourselfer installing insulation in their attic. Dave Donovan is a freelance writer living in Atco, NJ. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion – writing.
