Soffit Baffles

[Erol Kartal]

Today was the first time I've seen a builder use cardboard for soffit baffles.

[ldapkus]

I had an inspection today where there was cardboard around the attic hatch opening to keep the cellulose spray insulation from falling into the home (or on your head) when you open the hatch. That was nice. No surprise or mess to clean up.

[Erol Kartal]

Too funny.

I've heard about the use of this type of baffle, just never have seen them. I'm use to inspecting 103 year old dumps that don't even have soffit vents.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Very common here. What's the problem with it? Why is sytrofoam better?

[Erol Kartal]

Never said there was a problem with cardboard baffles. I did say I'm not use to seeing them.

[James F. McKee]

looks like a pretty neat install compared with what I am used to seeing...thanks for the pic....jim

[Adam Veitenheimer]

That's crazy I didnt even know that was an option (of course I am new), is that effective??

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by Adam Veitenheimer

That's crazy I didnt even know that was an option (of course I am new), is that effective??

It can be but at some point the cardboard should be notched around the trusses so the dam it is creating extends to the outside of the top wall plate to preserve the insulation value of the wall system and reduce heat loss.

[Carla Horne]

Hi guys,
the cardboard baffles are used alot in modular construction.
I see it all the time here.
CJ

[David A. Andersen]

It can cause cold spots at the wall/ceiling if the insl. blower doesnt get it under the cardboard the six inches out to the eave. But is a neat job and does not collapse in the heat.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by ekartal

Today was the first time I've seen a builder use cardboard for soffit baffles.

The term used for these would be "ventilation chutes"

It appears that this builder just used regular cardboard sheets stapled to the bottom of the upper chord. There are better pre-made products.

http://www.jrproductsinc.com/vent_chutes.html

http://www.idimn.com/pages/ventilation_products.html


Installing ventilation chutes is only the first step. You must create an airtight wind deflecting "baffle" between the top of the exterior wall and the shute to keep cold air from infiltrating into/through/under the fiberous insulation installed on the wall top plate. This is not done well on most new housing!!!!

http://imageevent.com/iim.jsp?p=98&f...okoboji_images

[Troy Farmer]

Here in the west allot especially the attic hatches to prevent me from looking like a snowman!

[William J. Decker]

I see them all the time in new construction. For some reason, mostly in the 1 Mil + houses.

Guess they gotta save money somewhere.

They are OK to use, but most of the time they are not installed properly.

[Patrick Krzemien]

See these all the time around here. I'll note in my report whether they are present or not. Cardboard is the most common material. The attic hatch is usually something more substantial than cardboard though.

[Peter C. Russell]

Do they deteriorate at all with moisture, not used here so much.