Continuous Soffit Vents for farm house.

I'm looking for Continuous Soffit Vents for an existing 100 year old farm house. All Continuous Soffit Vents Iv found are designed for new construction and installed first with a flange under the soffit sheathing. Does anyone know of a Continuous Soffit Vent designed for existing homes where one could cut a slot the entire length and then install the vent over or in the slot? Its a slopped 24" T&G soffit.

Thanks>>>

These are tough ones to do. The last one we tackled we used a 3" hole saw and installed a 3" white round aluminum louver between each rafter. We used 3 foot PVC pipe in the attic to get air over the top plate and into the attic. They don't give much air (1.73 sq. in.) but it was better than nothing.

http://www.doityourself.com/invt/u561792

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After further inspection, The roof rafters (no trusses) are 2x4 and notched to rest on the double top wall plate. This only gives about 2" of space between the bottom of the roof deck and top plate. I was told this is not enough room to have adequate insulation with a baffle.

Next suggestion was to install low gable louvers and a power vent close to the ridge controlled by a T stat. No ridge vent. Then the next guy said some home insurance companies wont cover a home with power vents.

Hell I don't know anymore. Uncle! Each roofer has a different approach and its hard to compare bids when they all have different ideas on the best way to ventilate.>>>

Smart Vent tapers so much more smoothly than TheEdge and is easier to cut.

I have been using it since 2001 and even installed in at the Eaves and Mid-Roof on a 3/12 2 years ago, which worked properly through the 2 hardest snowfall winters we have had in the last 10 years or so.

Also, by it being on the decking, there is less chance for blockage unless the insulation is really packed high, which would still then need baffle vents.

Ed>>>

I got some Edge Vent and took it back. The top contour is insane.>>>

Thanks again everyone.

I found airvent makes something similar Ed. http://www.airvent.com/homeowner/products/intake-theedge.shtml

Yet I shy away from either Smart Vent or theedge because the house 'does' have soffits. But for my rooders sake, I will bring it up. Id hate to go up there and install the baffles this time of year and would be tempted to tear the facia off so I wouldn't need to.

I Still would like to find a Continuous Soffit Vent which we could nail 'over' the existing soffit sheathing. I bet I will find it eventually. Haste makes waste... right?>>>

Has your Roofer done the Roof yet?

If not, use Smart Vent from DCI Products Inc.

It goes Under the first couple of courses of shingles and you cut a 1" slot at the 6" to 7" point on the roof decking.

Ed>>>

i think that alcoa makes it. not 100% sure. when i find my book ill look and see.>>>

Heres my attempt at posting a picture.>>>

Thanks guys. We dont want aluminum soffit because it would spoil the look of this old farm house. Its a beauty.

Like stated before, the soffit is slopped the same (12:12) as the roof plus the facia is perpendicular to the roof and soffit and also lower than the top of the window trim. Another approach would be vent the facia since the gutter does not touch it and would allow installation of the baffles from the outside. Problem with that is that the mounting material for the gutters would be gone.

craftesman: Do you know the name of the vent you can install on the outside? Or provide me with a link to the product?

wywoody: I was also leaning to your idea

Boy.. This is sounding like allot of extra work for my roofer especially if he has to install baffles from the inside. Hes going to hate me.

Is the work required for proper soffit ventilation worth it? Meaning will his new Malarkey shingles last 10 years longer if the soffit and ridge ventilation was added?>>>

the ones that i saw can be put on the outside of the wood. cut the slot close and then nail it at the rafters. it looks good>>>