In winter the natural convection air flow through the attic prevents ice dams from forming on the roof.
Do attic vent baffles restrict airflow.
The main function of an attic baffle is to draw the air in from outside your home and allowing it to circulate around your attic.
In addition insulation baffles must be installed at the point where the attic floor meets the roofline to prevent the attic insulation from migrating into the cavities and restricting the airflow from the soffit vents.
Surprisingly even the most well insulated attic space may still require the assistance of attic baffles to provide the additional air circulation.
Attic baffles how they work.
Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool.
Putting baffles in your attic is a crucial step in installing attic insulation.
An attic baffle is simply an item to regulate the flow of air aka required roof venting and impede it the insulation from interfering with each other.
That airflow is intended to churn the stale air in your attic which helps to remove moisture and control the temperature of your attic.
Baffles correct these problems by allowing air to circulate under or near insulation.
The picture below courtesy of the epa indoor airplus program which we provide builder verification services for helps show how the system works.
Baffles prevent vents from getting clogged by insulation and ensure a clear channel for outside air to move into the attic through soffit vents.
Sometimes called rafter vents baffles provide ventilation and keep the insulation from blocking airflow through your attic.
The fresh air flows up between rafters to the ridge where a ridge vent roof vents or gable vents allow the air to exit.
The soffit vents allow convective air movement from the soffits of the residence to the ridge vent.
Baffles are installed in the attic or should be wherever there is an intake vent soffit vent.
Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.
You can situate the baffles where the circulation is mainly required.
Baffles ensure proper airflow into your attic space.