GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Is a continuous baffle length needed?

Hill_Builder | Posted in General Questions on

We will have a conditioned attic that is 12’ wide by 72’ long spanning the length of the house.  We realize that we need at least 2 baffles:  one baffle at the soffit and one at the attic ceiling deck (where the ceiling meet the roof) Both shown in red circles

 

The question is, should we run the baffles continuously from the soffit to past the attic ceiling deck to guarantee the air goes out the roof vent?  Shown with blue circle 

 

Details:

We will have blown in cellulose.  Zone 6a on a windy hill with the highest wind so far at 70 mph.  

 

We want to use AccuVent baffles for durability, but don’t want to add to the cost if it isn’t necessary.  

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. OronoWoodworks | | #1

    As far as I understand it, the only reason for baffles is to make sure the air doesn't get cut off by insulation. If air can move, then there's no need.

    Hopefully others with more experience will chime in.

  2. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #2

    The baffles only need to go a little beyond the highest level of insulation.

    1. Hill_Builder | | #6

      thanks!

  3. Malcolm_Taylor | | #3

    Hill_builder,

    Consider framing down the roof where the walls and ceiling of the attic meet to allow more depth for insulation there.

    1. Hill_Builder | | #4

      yes, we will be doing that so we can get the baffle and thicker insulation in that point.
      We just trying to figure out if we need to extend the baffles the whole way to the soffit or just put at the soffit where the blown in cellulose will be.

      1. Malcolm_Taylor | | #5

        Hill_Builder,

        As Michael said, you just need to run them a few inches above the level of the cellulose to stop air scouring the surface.

        1. Hill_Builder | | #7

          thank you!

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |