That’s reassuring to hear, honestly. I’m in an older house and when we had the roof redone last year, I got talked into synthetic underlayment for the “extra protection.” Didn’t even think about how it might affect moisture until I noticed a musty smell in the attic a few months later. Ended up adding more vents too, just like you mentioned. It’s a learning curve for sure, but glad to know I’m not the only one who’s had to tweak things after the fact.
Didn’t even think about how it might affect moisture until I noticed a musty smell in the attic a few months later.
Had the same thing happen after switching to synthetic on my 1960s ranch. The roofer swore it was “breathable,” but the attic felt stuffier than ever. Ended up popping in two extra gable vents and it finally balanced out. I do think the synthetic holds up better long-term, but it’s definitely not as forgiving in older homes where airflow isn’t perfect. Live and learn, right?
the attic felt stuffier than ever. Ended up popping in two extra gable vents and it finally balanced out.
That’s interesting, because I always hear synthetic is “breathable,” too, but I’ve seen a few older houses get that musty attic vibe after the switch. Did you notice any difference in energy bills after adding those vents? I’m curious if the extra airflow helped with cooling costs, or just kept things drier.
Extra gable vents can make a surprising difference, especially if the attic was already holding onto heat. I’ve seen cases where just improving airflow dropped attic temps by 10-15 degrees, which definitely helps with AC costs in the summer. Sometimes, though, it’s more about moisture than temperature—if you’re in a humid area, that extra venting can keep things from getting musty or even moldy. Did you notice any change in how your insulation felt after the vents went in? Sometimes it dries out and fluffs up a bit, which can help with overall efficiency.
I actually noticed the insulation in my attic felt a bit less damp after adding extra vents—almost like it fluffed up a bit, just like you mentioned. I’m in the southeast, so humidity’s always an issue. The airflow made a bigger difference than I expected. Didn’t do much for the temperature, but the musty smell faded pretty quick. Kind of surprised me how much that changed the overall feel up there.
