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Roofing · Homes built before about 1940

No ridge vent and no soffit intake

Old roofs frequently have neither, and the attic cooks the shingles from underneath. Adding ventilation during a reroof costs little. Retrofitting later costs a great deal more.

Quick answerOld roofs frequently have neither a ridge vent nor soffit intake. Without intake at the eave and exhaust at the ridge, the attic cooks the shingles from underneath and cuts their life. Adding ventilation during a reroof costs little; retrofitting later costs a great deal more. If you’re planning a new roof, make ventilation part of the quote.

This is most common in homes built before about 1940. Attic ventilation works as a pair: cool air comes in low at the soffits and warm, moist air leaves high at the ridge. With neither, heat and moisture have nowhere to go.

1Why it matters

  • Heat. In summer, a sealed attic gets very hot and bakes the shingles from underneath, shortening their life.
  • Moisture. In winter, warm, damp air from the house condenses on the cold underside of the deck. Over time that means stained, soft or moldy decking.
  • Ice. A warm attic can melt snow on the roof, which refreezes at the cold eave and backs water up under the shingles.
  • Warranties. Shingle manufacturers generally expect proper ventilation. Ask about it before you rely on a warranty.

2How to check

  1. Look at the soffitsFrom the ground, look under the eaves for vents or perforated panels. Solid wood with no openings means no intake.
  2. Look at the ridgeA continuous low vent along the peak, or box vents near the top, are exhaust. None means no exhaust.
  3. Go into the atticOn a summer afternoon, it shouldn’t feel dramatically hotter than outside. In winter, look for frost, damp or dark stains on the underside of the deck.
  4. Check the eaves from insideIf you have soffit vents but insulation is packed into the eaves, air still can’t get in.

3Fixing it

Do it yourself

  • Check for intake and exhaust from the ground and attic
  • Clear blocked soffit vents you can reach safely
  • Make sure ventilation is written into any reroof quote

Hire a pro

  • Cut in a ridge vent during the reroof
  • Add soffit intake and baffles so insulation doesn’t block it
  • Balance intake and exhaust for your attic
  • Deal with any moisture damage on the deck

How much ventilation an attic needs depends on its size and layout. Check local code and the shingle manufacturer’s requirements, and ask the contractor to show you the plan.

4What drives the cost

During a reroof, cutting a ridge vent and adding soffit intake is a small part of the job. As a separate retrofit later, it means disturbing a finished roof and working at the eaves, which costs far more. Soffit construction, attic access and how much insulation has to be moved all affect the price.

Roofing cost

Reroofing a house with no attic ventilation?

Talk to a roofing contractor who will add intake and exhaust as part of the job.

877-360-4657

5Questions

Is a ridge vent enough on its own?

No. Exhaust without intake doesn’t move air through the attic properly. You need both.

Can I add ventilation without a new roof?

Yes, but it costs much more as a retrofit than as part of a reroof.

Will ventilation make my house colder in winter?

Attic ventilation sits above the insulation. Air sealing and insulation keep the house warm; ventilation keeps the attic dry and the roof cold.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.

877-360-4657