# Roof (soffit) vent help needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701 "2021-05-09T13:00:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/1 "2021-05-09T13:00:24Z")
I need help identifying these vents so I can replace them. A recent power washing broke the louvered covers off and I am having a hard time finding replacements. Mostly because searching for “soffit vent” or “under eave vent” or “mini louver vent” does not return what I need. The outer dimensions are 6". Thanks!! I think this link works? > **[Shutterfly Photos. Finally, the perfect solution for all your photos.](https://photos.shutterfly.com/story_invite/3d67c2bf-dbdc-4f06-a3da-32d389d41495?cid=SHARALLI&_branch_match_id=1149650071827872433&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9YrzigtKUktSsup1EvOz9XPs8w1sgjKLTRPSwIA%2Fq9rJicAAAA%3D)** > > Shutterfly Photos helps you gather and organize your photos and videos so you can easily find, share and enjoy them anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/2 "2021-05-09T15:32:09Z")
These are at Lowes and they’re identified as “[Soffit vent](https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-5-25-in-L-White-Plastic-Soffit-Vent/1001851468),” so I must be missing something. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/3 "2021-05-09T15:34:47Z")
Pretty common. I usually see those installed with plastic siding upgrades, but could be original. There are alternative panels also but it makes sense you want to match them. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/4 "2021-05-09T15:48:40Z")
Those are similar, but mine had a louvered face, which is the part that broke off. These seem to have a side vent, which my be fine. I can’t tell if those are put up with nails or some sort of caulk, which is how mine are attached. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/5 "2021-05-09T16:22:15Z")
Before I run my mouth any further, a question: are these for bathroom fan(s), i.e., are they attached to the end of some tubing (like for clothes dryers) which goes to a fan or something similar? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/6 "2021-05-09T17:12:13Z")
Those worked, **burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt**. Thanks. I had to rig them a bit, but I think it will do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/7 "2021-05-09T17:21:18Z")
Glad to help! My good deed for the day. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/8 "2021-05-11T15:42:56Z")
The trouble here is that “soffit vent” is not really what those are. The term refers to a screen/louver/slot that allows cool air to come in at the soffit to vent the roof/attic, and also keep out critters. They’re not hooked to ducting and don’t exhaust air. The OP’s vents would more accurately be described as soffit-mounted exhaust vent caps. I see how the Lowes one works, there’s a flap/louver on one or two sides and the exhaust air pushes it open. Gravity then closes the flap when the fan isn’t used. But how did the OP’s original vents work? Those look like a normal everyday [louvered vent cap](https://www.lowes.com/pd/IMPERIAL-4-in-Plastic-Louvered-Dryer-Vent-Cap/3203043) that you see for exhaust fans and dryers, but only on walls. They also use gravity to stay closed, so if they’re mounted in a soffit like this they’d just fall open and stay that way permanently, whether the exhaust fan was running or not. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/9 "2021-05-11T18:09:45Z")
^ I was pondering that myself, but didn’t want to further cloud the waters. You’d think that Lowes would know and post the difference, and while I’m at it, I’d like a pony. You don’t think an unscrupulous contractor put up whatever he had in the back of his truck? The horror! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roof-soffit-vent-help-needed/941701/10 "2021-05-11T18:15:05Z")
I thought those were duct outlets. That’s why I’ve seen them in vinyl siding installed over other forms of siding or when soffits are added to enclose open eaves. Originally there would have been horizontal vent outlets on the wall under the eave.