oh and why are these used?

[Jeffrey S. Campbell]

I am seeing different ***** everyday... why would these vents be installed? they are located at the second floor framing levels and just below some of the window sills... 1940's dutch colonial...

i realize they are some type of vent... but why? what was the theory behind adding these buggers in? venting insulation?

[David P. Valley]

Jeff,

It does appear to be a vent. I've never seen holes like that on siding. There's no need to ventilate insulation in walls.

[Jeffrey S. Campbell]

David,

i have no idea... i've racked my brain... maybe someone here has seen them before... we'll see...

[David P. Valley]

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f16/small-vents-wood-siding-9584/

[Larry D. Kage]

They installed them after blowing in insulation to help vent the moisture in the wall cavity because back then a vapor barrier was not used...didn't work that well.

[Barry Adair]

large installation photo

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by lkage

They installed them after blowing in insulation to help vent the moisture in the wall cavity because back then a vapor barrier was not used...didn't work that well.

Exactly

[Frank J. Carey]

I agree with Larry on this one. I have seen in many older homes(plank houses) in my area that tried to insulte have these vents. I am not sure how well they actually work b/c usually they are painted right over after a few years.

[Jeffrey S. Campbell]

I have seen larger versions... but did not think they would be able to insultate through these... but makes sense to me.

thanks all.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by badair

large installation photo

Barry,

Who's the beautiful broad?

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Jeff,

It does appear to be a vent. I've never seen holes like that on siding. There's no need to ventilate insulation in walls.

This is a test!!!

In early research into condensation moisture in walls, it was thought that venting might be the solution. In some of the houses, venting increased the moisture in the walls (and some attics also)......why??

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by lkage

They installed them after blowing in insulation to help vent the moisture in the wall cavity because back then a vapor barrier was not used...didn't work that well.

They just didn't have the proper solid plastic plugs. These are "vents" for undereaves......but they are so small with not much "net free area" that cracks around soffit and fascia materials will give much more venting than the vents. As for using them with wall insulation.... in wind driven rain areas, they will let in more bulk moisture (rain) than they will ever allow out by evaporation.

I have seen (many times) 3" versions of this undereave vent used to try and vent a bathroom fan!! Firstly, if the fan has a 3" discharge outlet, it's too small and weak; that particular fan cannot push water downhill. Secondly, most residential ventilation that I see is at the lower end of the quality scale in equipment, design and installation.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by fcarey

I agree with Larry on this one. I have seen in many older homes(plank houses) in my area that tried to insulte have these vents. I am not sure how well they actually work b/c usually they are painted right over after a few years.

That's a good thing!

[cwhite2]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

This is a test!!!

In early research into condensation moisture in walls, it was thought that venting might be the solution. In some of the houses, venting increased the moisture in the walls (and some attics also)......why??

Temperature differential between exterior dewpoint & interior = condensation

The venting increases the flow of moisture laden air into & thru the building & condensation builds.

Am I close?

[Raymond E. Wand]

Are you sure the house hasn't been insulated with UFFI?