What Are Attic Ventilation Baffles?

If you have a home with exterior soffit vents, you will almost certainly want to consider having attic baffles installed. When they are installed, they have a huge number of benefits.

So, what are attic baffles? What purpose do they have? More importantly, what is the benefit of having attic baffles installed? All of your questions will be answered on this page.

Hopefully, by the end of it, you will realize that attic baffles are necessary for owners of soffit roofs.

What are Attic Baffles?

Attic baffles are installed in homes that have a roof with soffit vents.

An attic baffle is a small chute, typically made from plastic, cardboard, or foam.

The attic baffle’s purpose is to allow air to flow from the vent and throughout the attic. When installed correctly, an attic baffle will help to ensure consistent airflow. This can help to combat problems such as mold and damage to attic insulation.

What is the Purpose of Attic Baffles?

When installed, the attic baffles’ job is to take the air from the soffit vents and guide it throughout the attic space.

This airflow helps ‘refresh’ the air in the attic, i.e., it will help remove the stale air floating about. This can help reduce moisture in the air, and it can also help ensure that the attic temperature is better controlled.

Benefits of Attic Baffles

The main benefit of attic baffles is to ensure that there is proper airflow in the attic.

Proper airflow helps to prevent mold from growing in the attic. This, of course, is important. After all, many of us have some of our possessions stored in the attic, and we do not want them to become mold-infested. We would have no choice but to trash them.
Attic baffles also help to reduce moisture in the air. Moisture is a big contributor to mold. However, it is also a huge contributor to wood rot. Wood rot will destroy your rafters if it is allowed to get out of hand. This is going to be a rather costly repair job.
Attic baffles will also help to ensure that the temperature in the roof is a lot more consistent. This can help when it comes to energy bills. Remember, if there is a lot of heat up there in the roof, this can cause the rest of the home to heat up. This means that the air conditioner may need to be cranked up an extra level, increasing energy costs.
Attic baffles can also help to protect roof insulation. If you have soffit vents, then air is going to be flowing into the roof. If there are no attic baffles to guide airflow, then that air will be hitting the insulation. Over time, this will reduce the insulation’s efficiency, resulting in it needing to be replaced far more often. Attic baffles help to guide air away from the air insulation. Again, helping to ensure far more consistent temperatures in your home.
Attic baffles will also help to prevent the soffit vents from being clogged by the insulation. This, of course, will help ensure that air is flowing into the attic as smoothly as possible.

For the most part, attic baffles should be fairly easy and affordable to store too. If you install the attic baffles yourself, then you may be able to enjoy all of these benefits for no more than $100-$200, depending on whether you have the tools that you need for installation already.

Types of Attic Baffles

The most commonly used types of attic baffles include:

Styrofoam rafter vents – These types of attic baffles resemble egg cartons and feature extra cones to help keep the air vents open.
Cardboard baffles – These baffles are cheap but now highly recommended, especially if you happen to stay in areas like Nevada and Arizona. They don’t perform well in low-humidity areas.
Plastic baffles – These are some of the best attic baffles recommended out there. What makes them ideal is that they are stiffer and can withstand the pressure from the insulation that is being blown into the attic. This is especially sprayed foam insulation. They are also efficient, lightweight, and durable.

Are Baffles in Attic Necessary?

An insulated attic requires proper airflow, and you need to remember that your attic’s airflow comes from the outside and is then pushed underneath the roof and out of the vent.

The baffle is the one that provides a space for the airflow without being blocked by insulation. Baffles are normally installed in the attic to provide you with proper airflow into the attic space.

Another thing that makes baffles necessary to have is that they prevent vents from getting clogged by insulation. When you prevent moisture buildup in your attic it helps in ensuring that there’s proper air circulation. Therefore, baffles are necessary for your attic, if you want proper air circulation.

How Many Attic Baffles Do I Need?

During the summer season, most people need to keep their attic cooler and the benefit of this is that it can increase the life of the roof, and also save money on air conditioning bills.

If you want to efficiently cool your attic, you need to ensure that outside air circulates through it. One good solution for this is using the best attic baffles. You should have at least one baffle between every rafter/truss.

As a general rule of thumb, you need to keep in mind that the total amount of attic vent space you need is at least 1 sq ft of attic baffle for every 150 sq ft of attic area. That means you need to calculate the total vent area that you need, to ensure you have accurate measurements.

How Long Should Attic Baffles Be?

The most recommended length of attic baffles is 4 feet, but you also have the option of trimming your attic baffle if necessary. Having an attic baffle comes with a lot of benefits, with the main one being the fact that it provides proper insulation and airflow into your attic space.

When thinking about installing attic baffles, you first need to measure the area where you’re planning to set them up to ensure everything is well prepared. Baffles come in different shapes, sizes, and materials.

Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with this information before embarking on the process of installing attic baffles in your space.

Cardboard vs. Foam Baffles – Which One Should you Choose

Perhaps the major advantage that cardboard baffles have over foam baffles is that it is a far cheaper material. This means that installation costs are going to be much lower.

The downside of cardboard baffles, however, is that they are weak. They are especially weak if you live in an area of high humidity.

On the most humid days, the cardboard baffles will start to absorb humidity from the air that flows through them. Over time, this will cause the cardboard baffles to break down. They are going to need to be replaced far more frequently.

If you can afford them, then we suggest that you try to opt for foam baffles. While they are more expensive, they will tend to last longer in almost all conditions.

How Many Attic Vent Baffles do I Need?

It depends on the number of rafters you need, plus the size of your attic.

You will need to have at least one attic vent baffle between each of the rafters.

Because attic vent baffles tend to be manufactured in 4-foot lengths, you will likely need multiple baffles between each rafter.

Do I Need Baffles in Every Rafter?

To ensure that the baffles work correctly, there should be one placed between every rafter.

How Long should Attic Baffles Be?

Attic baffles will be around 4-feet long. However, they can be trimmed down if the baffle is a little bit too long for the attic.

Do I Need Baffles If no Soffit Vents?

If you do not have soffit vents, then there is no need to have baffles.

Without soffit vents, there will be no air flowing into that attic, and therefore the baffles would be useless. Remember, the whole purpose of attic baffles is to help with the attic’s airflow and venting. Without that air, they don’t have a job to do.

The Best Attic Baffles Reviews

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1. Durovent with Baffle Attic Vent Channel

This is one of the best attic baffles to consider buying. Although the Durovent with Baffle Attic Vent Channel comes with a few drawdowns such as the high cost and not being able to fit into space properly, it does offer efficiency and it’s quite easy to use.

When searching for an attic baffle, it’s important to buy one that doesn’t require much hassle to install and use. This will help save you time and money in the process.

This ventilation system comes with a built-in baffle, which helps to keep the attic air moving. The 23 ½ x 46 inches ventilation system also has polystyrene construction that makes it lightweight and able to resist moisture. The integrated baffle means that you don’t need any blocking material between the vent and the top plate.

The good thing about the Durovent with Baffle Attic Vent Channel is that you can install it between rafters to provide unobstructed air channel through the insulation to assist in keeping the airflow freely from soffits to ridge vents. It’s easy to assemble, install, and use.

Pros

Lightweight
Efficient
Moisture-resistant
Easy to install
Easy to use

Cons

It doesn’t quite fit into space
Expensive

2. Insulation Baffle for 16” Rafter Bays

The Insulation Baffle for 16” Rafter Bays is well designed and offers the best performance when it comes to insulating your attic. What makes it unique and efficient is that it’s sturdy and very easy to cut. Although this baffle is heavy as it weighs approximately 34 pounds, it’s suitable to use both in your rooftop and attic.

It measures approximately 36 x 18.5 x 0.13 inches and the handle is made of plastic material. It’s a corrugated plastic with double bending routes at 2.25 inches from each long edge. Each piece can be easily cut in half for double coverage at the eaves area to guard against insulation blockage in an open attic rafter space.

SmartBaffle is well-designed to use with fiberglass insulation, loose-fill insulation, or spray foam insulation. That shows that it’s flexible enough and won’t cause you much headache trying to figure out what to use it with.

With the SmartBaffle, you’ll keep the insulation away from blocking the intake air from the soffit. The baffle will create a convenient chute where the air will travel up.

Pros

Sturdy
Durable
Suitable for both rooftop and attic
Easy to use
Easy to install

Cons

Heavy
Costly

3. ProVent Plastic Attic Rafter Vent

The ProVent Plastic Attic Rafter Vent is also among the best attic baffles out there due to its flexibility and stability features. With this strong baffle, you can easily prevent ice build-up on roofs and keep your house warmer during the winter season. It also helps you keep your home cooler during the hot summer season.

This plastic attic rafter is made of high-impact polystyrene and it’s ideal for new construction. It’s also suitable for retrofit applications and it includes wide flanges for easy stapling. It offers full joist coverage for maximum airflow.

When you install the ProVent Plastic Attic Rafter Vent, it will provide you with an unobstructed air channel through the insulation. Without a proper attic ventilation channel, air cannot flow freely from the soffit to the exhaust vents.

Poor airflow reduces insulation efficiencies and accelerates issues due to moisture. It’s highly recommended to have 1 ventilation channel per rafter or truss cavity.

Unfortunately, this attic rafter vent weighs about 41 pounds which may be heavy for some people and a hassle to setup. It also measures 49 x 15 x 7 inches. Overall, it’s a good attic baffle to use in your home.

Pros

Excellent design
Efficient
Prevents ice build
Sturdy
Durable

Cons

Too heavy
Might be difficult to setup
Costly

4. Innovents Attic Baffles

If you’re looking for a sturdy and well-built attic baffle, then the Innovents Attic Baffles fits into this description perfectly. It’s also one of the best attic baffles that can help to prevent ice buildup on roofs and keep your home warm during the winter season. It’s designed with extruded polystyrene foam and can be an ideal economical option for new construction.

The baffle features wide flanges for easy stapling and it’s well perforated for easy separation. You should consider installing attic ventilation channels between the trusses or rafters, to provide an unobstructed air channel through the insulation. It’s essential to keep in mind that air cannot flow freely from the soffit to the exhaust vents without attic ventilation channels.

Insulation efficiencies can be easily reduced by poor airflow, which will end up accelerating a lot of problems because of moisture. As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to consider having one ventilation channel per rafter or truss activity.

The Innovents Attic Baffles feature a full 48-inch length that allows increased insulation usage. The 22 inches wide vents can be easily snapped apart into two pieces, 11 inches each.

Pros

Easy to use
Easy to setup
Provides excellent airflow
Lightweight
Thick
It prevents ice buildup
Durable

Cons

Expensive
Only limited to attic use

5. Accuvent Flame Retardant PVC Attic Vent

The Accuvent Flame Retardant PVC Attic Vent system can perfectly fit into 22.5 x 41 inches soffit areas. The good thing about this type of attic baffle is that it is specially designed for traditional ceiling applications with either batting type insulation or blown-in. If you’re not that handy, you don’t have to worry because this attic vent system is easy to install and use.

All you need for the installation is about 6 to 8 staples. It has a user-friendly perforated tear strip for width adjustability. What’s more, the Accuvent Flame Retardant PVC Attic Vent can also help to prevent wind washing, drifting, or insulation. It also prevents the growth of mold and mildew.

The attic vent system is made 100 percent from recycled flame-retardant plastic, which meets the EnergyStar Thermal Bypass Checklist requirements.

Therefore, it’s an efficient attic vent system that’s beneficial to use. It weighs approximately 27 pounds and is also made from high-quality material, which ensures durability and efficiency.

Pros

Easy to install
Easy to use
Strong
Flexible
Great design

Cons

Too thin
Flimsy
Hand staples break right through the plastic

6. Cardboard Attic Baffles

The Cardboard Attic Baffles are also ideal to consider since they are lightweight, durable, and efficient. These baffles can help you get the job done without doing much because they fit in perfectly wherever you want to install them, and they are not heavy. Efficiency and lightweight are some of the unique features that make these baffles suitable to use.

When you install these Cardboard Attic Baffles, you are bound to experience excellent airflow. They are 24-inches wide and they also come with bendable tabs that can comfortably fit into a 24-inch truss. If you want to hold the baffles firmly in place, you can staple them to the truss.

However, it’s important to note that these best attic baffles are not recommended for high-pressure foam applications. They work to keep an air gap between the insulation and the roof sheathing. When you staple them to the rafters, they work perfectly to allow air from the soffit vents, to the ridge, and attic fans.

Pros

Durable
Lightweight
Easy to install
They work perfectly
Efficient

Cons

Bending may cause issues
The 44-inch does not come with tabs

How Much Does It Cost to Install Attic Baffles?

This is one of the most sought-after questions regarding the best attic baffles that you can install in your home. Similar to everything else, the cost of installing attic baffles can vary from one place/expert to another.

One common factor is that the installation price may range from $0.75 to $1.20 per square foot, or even more. This price includes the material, labor costs, and profit.

When it comes to installing roof vents, the cost can range from $300 to $650 including the labor and material. The installation costs are highly influenced by the size, type, and a number of units that you want to install.

Ridge vents can cost between $2 and $3 per linear foot. The cost of roof vents, on the other hand, can range from $10 to $500 depending on the style and size.

To properly install attic baffles, you need to directly staple them to the roof decking. This will ensure they are effective enough and perform better in reducing insulation and circulating air efficiently.

How to Install Attic Baffles

While installing attic baffles is a reasonably simple process, it would always be wise to call a roofing expert where possible.

‘The cost of a roofing expert isn’t that high for baffle installation, and you can be sure that it will be carried out properly. However, if you insist on installing attic baffles yourself, then the process should be fairly simple with some basic tools.

You will need at least two people to complete this job.

Tools; Materials Required

The installation of roof baffles will require:

Measuring tape
Heavy-duty staple gun
Knife or saw, depending on the baffle material that you are using.
Enough baffles to fill the rafter channels
Spray insulation foam
Caulk

Select the correct baffle size

Your first job will be to measure the gap between the rafters. You will need to choose the correct baffle size. This will typically be 16-inches or 24-inches. However, do bear in mind that there may be other sizes out there.

Clean around the soffit vent

If there is insulation covering the soffit vent, then make sure that it has been removed. Before you install the attic baffles, there should be absolutely nothing restricting the airflow from the vent. If there is, it will cause issues later on.

Position your first baffle

Once you are sure that the soffit vent is completely cleared of any obstruction, you can put your first baffle into place.

You will want to position your baffle in such a way that the air flowing in from the soffit vent will flow into the baffle. This means that the soffit vent will need to be covered by the baffle.

Securing the first baffle

You will now need to position the baffle so that it covers the vent while following the roof’s angle, i.e., it needs to be pressed against the roof.

Somebody will need to hold the baffle in position while the other person uses the heavy-duty staple gun to secure the baffle in place.

Installing the next baffles

You will then need to overlap the next baffle with the baffle that you installed already. Again, stapling it into place. There should not be a gap between the baffles. If there is, air will be able to escape, which ruins the purpose of having baffles in the first place.

Keep overlapping these baffles until you reach the top of the roof. How many baffles are needed will be dependent on how large your roof is.

Remember, you may need to cut down the last baffle. You can use your roof or saw for this. Make sure that it is appropriately measured.

Repeat the process

You will now need to repeat the process for each soffit vent. Generally speaking, there will be one placed between each rafter.

If you have more than two people working on the job, you will probably be able to install attic baffles over different soffit vents at the same time.

Sealing the baffles

Once all of the baffles are in place, you will need to seal them up. This will ensure that the air is flowing nowhere other than into the baffles and then out at the roof peak.

First, you will need to use your foam insulation to cover completely cover the gaps in the area where the baffle meets the air vent.

You will then use your caulk along the sides of the roof baffle. While you can use insulation foam for this, too, it will probably be a bit too expensive for this task. It doesn’t have that much extra benefit.

You will also need to place caulk along each of the areas where the roof baffles overlapped.

Attic Baffle Alternatives

Due to the low cost of having proper attic baffles installed, nobody has put that much effort into coming up with attic baffle alternatives. This is because many of the attic baffle alternatives probably won’t be as effective once installed, and quite often, the installation will require a lot more work.

People have made their attic baffles out of the following materials:

MDF
Plastic sheets
Styrofoam sheets
House wrap

However, do bear in mind that you will need to shape these properly. That is where the issue is. You w9ill probably end up spending a ton of time shaping the attic baffle alternative for the sake of saving a few dollars.

Remember, since none of these alternatives will have been designed to act as baffles, they probably won’t last as long either.

So, not only are they going to be a whole lot more troublesome to install, but you will have to be going through that installation process a lot more frequently than you would with proper baffles for the attic.

Summary

While you do not need attic baffles, it is always wise to have them installed if you have soffit vents. They are vital for helping to ensure consistent airflow throughout the attic. This, in turn, can result in a reduction of mold and stale air.

Compared to the benefits that you get from installing the attic baffles, the cost of having them installed is not that high. Therefore, while they are not strictly necessary, they are always worth having installed anyway, assuming that you have soffit vents.