I had to add more soffit vents and run those foam baffles all the way up, otherwise the insulation just blocked everything.
That’s spot on—those baffles are a lifesaver, especially with attic trusses. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks by skipping them, but like you said, it just leads to headaches down the road. Sometimes people forget that more insulation isn’t always better if it chokes off airflow. You did the right thing doubling back to check your venting. It’s a pain, but it pays off in the long run.
I get the concern about airflow, but honestly, I think sometimes folks go overboard with venting and baffles, especially with modern insulation materials. In some climates, you can get away with a “hot roof” setup—no venting at all, just spray foam right against the sheathing. It’s not for everyone, and you’ve got to be careful about moisture, but it can work and actually simplify things if you’re building new or doing a major reno. Not saying it’s always better, but it’s worth considering instead of defaulting to the old vented attic model every time.
- I’ve seen guys push hot roofs, but honestly, I’m still a bit iffy on skipping venting altogether.
- Sure, spray foam right on the deck *can* work, but if you ever get a leak or the foam isn’t perfect, you might not spot moisture problems until it’s a real mess.
- Around here (upper Midwest), we get big swings in temps and humidity. I’ve heard more than one story about rot showing up faster than folks expected, especially on older houses where air movement isn’t as predictable.
- Vented attic might be “old school,” but it’s also pretty forgiving if something goes sideways.
- Not saying hot roofs are bad for everyone—just seems like you gotta be 100% sure your climate and build are right for it.
- Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather deal with some extra baffles than risk hidden rot down the road… seen too many tear-offs where the sheathing was basically compost.
- If you’re doing a full reno and can control every variable, maybe it’s worth a shot. For most folks, I’d still lean vented unless there’s a solid reason not to.
Hot roofs always make me a little nervous too, especially with our wild Midwest weather. I get the appeal—no venting, tighter envelope, maybe a bit more energy efficient. But man, if moisture sneaks in and you don’t catch it, you’re basically running a science experiment up there. I’ve seen a couple “green” builds go sideways because someone missed a tiny gap in the foam. Personally, I’d rather fuss with vent chutes and know I can spot trouble early. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but composting my sheathing isn’t on my bucket list...
I get the hesitation—Midwest humidity and wild temp swings can turn a hot roof into a headache if the details aren’t nailed. But I’ve seen vented attics with just as many issues, especially when insulation gets moved around or critters sneak in. To me, a well-done hot roof (with closed-cell spray foam and a solid vapor barrier) can be more forgiving long-term, since you’re not relying on perfect airflow to dry things out. It’s all about the install and follow-up, honestly. I’d rather trust good foam than hope my soffit vents never clog up with leaves.
