Submit our quick form and get quotes now!
4 min read
4 min read
RoofWhat's a Roof Baffle?
One can easily think that residential roofs only need to remain leak-proof to be immune to the elements and guarantee the best home protection.
The truth is that your roof, and your attic in particular, have to be ventilated with fresh air to properly function. Roof baffles help improve attic ventilation, reduce your utility bills, increase your roof's lifespan, and much more.
Source : Canva
Adequate ventilation derives from roof vents, which in turn enable air to flow in and out of the attic. Fresh, exterior air then seeps into the attic by way of the soffit or gable vents and exits through the ridge vent or the rafters.
This removes stagnant, moisture-laden air and allows for fresh, dry air to fill the space. Without baffles, soffit vents can become obstructed by roof insulation, thereby limiting the roof’s ventilation system from drawing in air.
On the market, the most popular models are:
Waterproof insulation stop;
Snow splitter;
Air intake vent with a storm-proof baffle.
When installing an attic baffle, you can then benefit from the following advantages:
Reduced utility bills: During the summer, if there’s no air circulation, warm, stagnant air will build up beneath the roof, thereby heating your ceilings, and this warm air will also seep into various rooms of your home. Thus, your air conditioning system works double time and consumes more energy.
Prolonged durability of your roofing structure: If your roof overheats, the underlayment as well as the shingles will dry out and crack way earlier than they should, which will eventually lead to costly repairs.
Limited ice-related damages: When build-ups of snow and ice on rooftops begin to melt, the liquid will flow into the soffit. This can lead to damage to your roof and gutters. Good ventilation facilitated by baffles helps maintain a more consistent temperature throughout the attic, thus reducing the risk of ice build-up.
Source : Canva
If you reside in an area where heavy snowfalls are a commonality, or if you have a metal rooftop, your chimney is at risk of serious damage. As a matter of fact, when snow glides off a roof, it causes major (irreparable, even) damage. A snow splitter essentially serves to protect your chimney and flashing by deflecting snow and ice away and around your chimney. It’s actually named a snow splitter for a reason: it literally cuts snow like a knife.
We all know how expensive repairing some of these damages (holes, water leaks, loose pipes, etc.) can be, some even leading to serious financial hardships. Therefore, putting in a roof baffle proves to be an easy, foolproof preventative measure. Given its easy installation and light weight, it’s a minimal-effort endeavour on your part, and one which will adequately protect your roof.
Made from heavy gauge galvanized steel (quite thick), said unit can be mounted directly above the chimney.
The first step consists of assembling your snow splitter. The snow splitter is sold disassembled; needless to say, you’ll need to slide the triangular pieces together.
For optimal results, mount your snow splitter to your rooftop by lining up its mid-section with the chimney pipe. Also, maintain a 5- to an 8-cm gap between the chimney and the snow splitter.
Then, secure your snow splitter to your rooftop with the appropriate screws – these will also be provided by the manufacturer. Before tightening the screws, apply a layer of silicone (joint sealant) beneath each tab in order to seal every screw hole on the roof’s surface.
This type of baffle, intended for residential building projects requiring additional space for concrete work, provides a channel for proper airflow through the roof's soffit ventilation strip.
With this insulation stop, you can maximize your roof's durability and render it leak-proof. This unit features holes and markings that allow it to be easily folded, so that fresh air can flow in and out of the attic. And when combined with blow-in insulation or fibreglass insulation boards, your monthly heating and air conditioning bill will drop.
Source : (Joenomias) Menno de Jong - Pixabay
A baffle with a storm-proof air intake vent is a rectangular vent designed for buildings requiring a fire-safe construction to minimize the risk of fires spreading in the attic. It’ll give you peace of mind and you’ll save time and money.
These baffles are available in 3 colours (grey, black, and brown) and they’re mostly found in:
Areas with row houses, meaning very close to one another;
Where soffits are either not functional or nonexistent;
If there are literal firewalls in the attic which prevent fresh air from entering the attic and properly ventilating the space.
The best thing about this type of baffle is that it gives homeowners the freedom of strategically placing them on the rooftop. Thus, the roof will be immune to heat and condensation buildup that could deteriorate parts of the building and render the respective component warranties null and void.
If you want to install this type of roof baffle, here’s our installation guide, with step-by-step instructions to make things easier for you:
Make a rough outline of the unit's underside, including the opening (cardboard, plywood, or any thin material). Place the pattern in such a way that the opening is between the beams, above the insulation, and a few feet from the edge of the roof. Then, mark and cut out an opening in the centre of the pattern.
Remove any metal pieces on your roof resulting from the cutout which you made in step 1, leading to the roof’s edge.
Apply a layer of bitumen under the flashing and to the top portion of the flashing’s collar.
If your roofing is new, slide the baffle under the top sheet of the roofing. Make sure it's centred over the opening that's already been cut out, and then place a smooth metal sheet at the bottom and under the flashing, around the storm-proof baffle all the way to the edge of your roof. Finish installing the roof panels.
Last but not least, affix the collar with galvanized screws and rubber-type washers around the baffle. Then, apply a strip of sealant around the whole length of the unit to ensure it’s rendered waterproof.
Cover image source: Tan2 - Pixabay
RenoQuotes.com will put you in contact with 3 reliable contractors for your roofing renovation project. Fill in the form on our homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will receive quotes from trusted professionals.
Last modified 2023-11-07
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Amanda Harvey • 07 Nov 2023
To any homeowner, termites are a dreaded potential pest. Although they play an important role in the ecosystem by recycling wood, facilitating the decomposition of organic matter, replenishing essential nutrients in the soil and assisting in the growth of new plant life, these little buggers can't tell the difference between a tree and a house.
RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023
For many aspiring homeowners, buying a home doesn’t necessarily mean opting for something new. In fact, some may have their eye on a home that was built several, even many years ago.
RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023
Tiles suit just about every surface, from kitchen to bathroom, floor to ceiling. Nowadays, they’re also a popular choice for backyards. To achieve a clean, refined look, tiles can be used to embellish porches, surround pools, and revamp flat roofs to design a scenic rooftop terrace.
N/A • 07 Nov 2023
Who doesn’t love a cool summer breeze on a sizzling summer day? Being able to open and close your windows freely is one of the perks of having them. But of course, the mechanisms for opening and closing windows break occasionally. Window cranks, also known as casement operators, have a spline that slowly wears down from continued use and over time, and will need to be repaired or replaced.
RenoQuotes.com • 04 Apr 2024
Looking to upgrade your kitchen cabinets and revamp one of the most used areas of your home? All you need to do is head to your nearest hardware store to realize that options aren’t lacking!