Soffit vents, over-fascia vents and airflow at the eaves
Almost every ventilation problem we find starts at the eaves, because that's where the airflow is supposed to begin and where it's easiest to accidentally block.
Circular soffit vents
Discs drilled into an existing soffit board. Simple, cheap, retrofittable, and adequate where the soffit is accessible and the required airflow is modest.
Continuous strip vents
A running slot vent along the soffit. Provides more consistent airflow along the whole eaves and looks tidier than a line of discs.
Over-fascia vents
Fitted at the top of the fascia, under the first course. The retrofit option when the soffit is boxed, sealed or inaccessible, and standard when fascias are being replaced anyway.
Matching the intake to the outlet
Air needs to leave as well as enter. Eaves ventilation works best paired with high-level ventilation at the ridge or via tile vents.
Retrofit versus replacement
If the fascias are sound, vents can be retrofitted. If they're being replaced, building ventilation in at that point costs almost nothing extra.
FAQs
Look from inside the loft towards the eaves with a torch. If insulation is packed to the edge and you can't see daylight or feel any air movement, it's blocked.
Yes — soffit vents and over-fascia vents can both be retrofitted.
No. The ventilation is above the insulation, in the cold loft space, not in the heated part of the house.
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