Good points on the radiant barrier—wish we'd thought of that earlier. We ended up adding a solar attic fan, and honestly, it's been pretty effective at keeping temps down. Might be another option worth considering if budget allows.
"We ended up adding a solar attic fan, and honestly, it's been pretty effective at keeping temps down."
Glad it's working out for you, but I'm still skeptical about solar attic fans. From what I've seen, proper passive ventilation often does just as well without the extra moving parts—and fewer things to break down. Just my two cents though...
"Glad it's working out for you, but I'm still skeptical about solar attic fans."
Fair point, passive ventilation can definitely be effective if done right. I've seen cases where ridge vents combined with properly placed soffit vents kept attics surprisingly cool without any mechanical help. But it really depends on roof design and local climate conditions. Curious, did you notice any significant noise or vibration from the solar fan? I've heard mixed feedback on that...
"Curious, did you notice any significant noise or vibration from the solar fan? I've heard mixed feedback on that..."
I installed one a couple years back for a client who was pretty sensitive about noise levels, and honestly, it was quieter than we expected. It's not totally silent—there's a subtle hum if you're really listening for it—but nothing intrusive or annoying. Placement matters, though; we made sure to position it away from bedrooms and living spaces to avoid any potential issues.
If you're still unsure about mechanical ventilation, passive systems can be incredibly effective when designed thoughtfully. Ridge vents paired with soffit vents encourage natural airflow beautifully. The key is making sure your attic insulation and sealing are up to scratch first. Otherwise, even the best venting won't help much.
Every home has its quirks, so what works perfectly in one might fall short in another... but exploring multiple solutions usually leads to something that fits just right. Hope this helps!
I was actually wondering about the noise too, glad someone brought it up. My neighbor installed one last summer and invited me over to check it out (he knows I'm picky about this stuff, lol). Honestly, it wasn't bad at all—just a faint hum if you stood right under it. But yeah, passive venting seems simpler and cheaper long-term... especially if you're already redoing the roof anyway. Might be worth looking into that first before committing to something mechanical.
