When it comes to building or renovating a house, many design decisions simply come down to style and the homeowner’s preference. Perforated soffit panels are essential components of smart home design! Vented soffit panels are a smart choice for exterior home design and are critical for increasing the home’s longevity.
In fact, vented soffit panels play a critical role in helping different areas of the home, including the attic and roof, stay protected and capable of performing well without the risk of damage.
Not sure how? Take a look at why choosing vented soffit panels is a must — not a simple style preference.
Solid or Vented Soffit Panels — What’s the Difference?
First of all, it’s important to identify what soffit is before diving into the different benefits of having perforated soffit panels. Many homes are designed with a slight lip or overhang where a slanted roof meets a vertical wall. The underside of this overhang is called the eave, and it’s important to cover this space so that the structural beams aren’t exposed to the elements and rodents. Solid soffit panels are simply a flat board or panel used to cover the exposed roofing trusses with a smooth look. These panels provide an extra layer of protection from the elements, but they mostly improve the eaves’ aesthetic quality.
On the other hand, perforated soffit panels cover the exposed eave but feature a tiny, uniform stippling of holes throughout the panel. The purpose of this is to allow airflow to reach the attic space while still providing the layer of protection needed to cover up exposed eaves. The measure of performance for this is calculated as net free airflow per linear foot. A higher net free airflow means the soffit performs better. Perforated soffit panels also give a finished look for this vulnerable area, elevating the exterior’s overall look.
Vented Soffit Panels Increase Air Circulation
Due to the small perforations, vented soffit panels increase the air circulation of the attic area. Solid soffit panels, on the contrary, effectively seal off the attic space from fresh air, causing the air inside to become trapped and grow stale. Ventilation in an attic is necessary for many reasons, and having stagnant air accumulate in this enclosed space can cause a host of problems.
Attic Ventilation
One of the benefits of having adequate airflow is that it reduces the risk of the roof becoming overly heated, as perforated soffit panels can typically serve as the sole point of air intake. Even the best roofing materials are not entirely invincible to heat, so keeping the area cooler — especially for buildings without much shade — can be a practical way to prolong the roof’s lifespan and visual appearance.
Stagnant air in poorly vented attics can increase climate control costs, trap moisture leading to warping and rotting, and will promote the growth of mold. All of these will affect the home’s interior air quality.
Heating and Cooling Costs
There is another benefit to the cooling effects of ventilation and proper airflow — lower energy bills in warm weather. Ventilated soffit panels provide a way to keep the air flowing and the attic space cooler, and they can be an excellent tool for keeping the entire home cooler as well. Ventilation can significantly impact homeowners’ energy bills, so perforated soffit panels can be considered a smart financial investment for the home.
Battling Moisture Buildup
Adequate air intake and proper airflow to the attic can have additional benefits. Moisture buildup dissipates much quicker when air is moving around, meaning damp areas will dry up faster. This is a huge advantage, as lingering moisture can do significant damage to roofing, attic spaces, and siding, especially when traditional materials, like natural wood panels, are involved. Warping and rotting are two of the most noticeable effects of moisture damage. Unlike solid soffit panels that stabilize the air, vented soffit panels support more airflow, drying damp spaces quicker — before moisture buildup can seep in and do significant structural damage.
Air Quality
With regard to moisture build-up, not all of the adverse effects are as visible as rotting or warped panels. One of the invisible dangers of lingering moisture can take place in the stagnant, humid air. Pollutants, mold, and mildew can have a field day in humid spaces, which can ultimately impact the home’s air quality.
Many individuals suffer from mold allergies, and respiratory illnesses and symptoms can spring from spending time in places with poor air quality, so this is something that homeowners need to prevent. The ventilation supported by perforated soffit panels can promote more air movement, less moisture, and less chance for mold and mildew to affect the indoor air quality.
Improve Home Performance and Comfort with Vented Soffit Panels
By supporting proper airflow and ventilation to and through the attic space, vented soffit panels help prevent many problems that can pop up when the air inside the home becomes stale and stagnant. At Allura, our perforated soffit design leads the market in performance, offering an average airflow improvement of 38%. Higher performance and more airflow means a cooler, better performing vented attic space.
Contact the soffit experts at Allura today to upgrade your home exterior and achieve better air quality.
