Q&A – Getting some space to breathe

Finding a way to keep the air moving in a double-wide mobile home.

Dan, a homeowner from South Carolina, was looking for ways to keep his home cooler. This is what he asked our experts about ventilation: 

Because I live in a double wide mobile home (2000), I only have box vents on the roof. However, when I shoot the decking board, on a 89 degree day the decking board area was around 130 degrees. This made me believe my soffit vents are not working or blocked. Upon inspection (with my borescope) I notice the insulation is just laying there. So what I want to do is open up on the soffit vents and put some PVC pipes up there. A little bit of air is better than none.

Below is what our roofing expert John Kenney with Cotney Consulting Group had to say in response to your question:

Dan, you’re right that proper attic ventilation is critical — especially in manufactured homes, where shallow eaves and compact attic spaces often limit airflow. A roof deck temperature of 130°F on an 89°F day clearly shows heat is trapped, shortening shingle life and increasing cooling costs.

From what you described, your soffit vents are likely blocked by insulation, which is a common issue in manufactured homes. Before modifying the soffit, I’d recommend checking with your local roofing supply house to see if they have a better product you can use instead of the PVC piping.

If your existing soffits are painted shut or have minimal openings, it’s also worth upgrading to a continuous vent strip to improve airflow. Combined with your existing box vents, this will create a balanced system—cool air entering low, hot air exhausting high.

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