I've got a Cape Cod home with just a ridge vent, and during hot days, the second floor can hit 90 degrees or more. I've read that adding soffits could help with airflow, but is that enough? I'm trying to get a solid understanding of what I might need before I reach out to a contractor. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Cape Cod homes can be tricky due to their unique roof structures. It’s usually best to open the knee walls and spray foam the backside of the roof deck to improve insulation. This helps cool down the attic areas as well. If you're close to needing a new roof, you might even consider overlaying the roof deck with insulation sheets for a more comprehensive solution. This could save you hassle in the long run!
Totally get your struggle! Cape Cods often don’t have proper venting, especially in the sloped parts of the roof. Soffit vents can help, but if there's not enough insulation, you might not see a big drop in temperature. So it might be worth looking into those insulation options as well!
I had a radiant barrier installed at my previous home in Texas, and it was a game changer! It really cut down my energy bills during the summer months. I'm not sure how effective it'd be for you up north, but it's definitely worth checking out!
I hadn't heard of that! I’ll definitely research it more—thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the advice! I've been considering re-insulating too, but the roof seems to be in good shape, so I’m not sure yet.