Ventilation Baffle

Abstract

A ventilation baffle for construction of a manufactured home has two or more parallel truss channels funning along a length of a sheet of material separated by a regularly spaced interval. The parallel truss channels are constructed to be placed over trusses and to be affixed to the trusses using the same fasteners used to secure the roof decking to the trusses. The regularly spaced interval may be one half or one third of an interval between trusses measured center to center. At least four gussets reinforce the two opposing sides of each truss channel, with at least two gussets along each of the opposing sides. The ventilation baffle creates an enclosed space when affixed to trusses with roof decking secured above. The enclosed area is inaccessible by a person when the manufactured home is complete.

Claims

1. A ventilation baffle comprising a sheet of material with two or more truss channels separated by a distance measured from each truss channel's center, the ventilation baffle comprising a plurality of gussets along each of the two or more truss channels, wherein the gussets are positioned on opposing sides of each truss channel.

2. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more truss channels has at least four gussets reinforcing the two opposing sides, with at least two gussets for each of the opposing sides.

3. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein for each of the two or more truss channels, the plurality of gussets is regularly spaced along a length of the sheet with each gusset of the plurality of gussets located directly across from a second gusset.

4. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein for each of the two or more truss channels, a first set of the plurality of gussets which reinforce a first one of the two opposing sides are regularly spaced along a length of the sheet are offset from a second set of the plurality of gussets which reinforce a second one of the two opposing sides.

5. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein for each of the two or more truss channels, the plurality of gussets are positioned symmetrically about each truss channel, each gusset having a corresponding gusset across from it.

6. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein each sheet of material is rectangular, with a width in a first direction, the width corresponding to a multiple of the distance between each of the two or more truss channels, and a second direction, the second direction being along a length of the two or more truss channels.

7. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more truss channels has a depth corresponding to a predetermined plenum depth.

8. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more truss channels has a width greater than that of a standard roof truss.

9. The ventilation baffle of claim 8, wherein the width of each of the two or more truss channels accommodates deviations in a pitch of trusses in a structure in which the ventilation baffle will be used.

10. The ventilation baffle of claim 8, wherein the width of each of the two or more truss channels accommodates deviations in a width of the standard roof truss.

11. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein the material is lightweight, temperature resistant, moisture resistant, and sufficiently robust to resist fraying during installation and securing, the material comprising any of a fibrous material, a cardboard material, fiberglass, a plastic, a recycled material, a composite material, and a metal material.

12. The ventilation baffle of claim 11, wherein the material is a recycled plastic.

13. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein a first ventilation baffle is configured to nest above a second ventilation baffle of similar dimensions such that when the first ventilation baffle is laid above the second ventilation baffle, the two or more truss channels of the first ventilation baffle are overlaid onto the two or more truss channels of the second ventilation baffle and edges of the first ventilation baffle align with edges of the second ventilation baffle.

14. The ventilation baffle of claim 13, wherein a first truss channel of the two or more truss channels is located a first edge distance from a first end of the sheet and a last truss channel of the two or more truss channels is located a second edge distance from a second end of the sheet, the first edge distance being equal to the second edge distance.

15. The ventilation baffle of claim 13, wherein the first ventilation baffle and the second ventilation baffle have a nestable configuration that allows gravity or friction to keep consecutive ventilation baffles in place when laying them on trusses during construction of a structure.

16. The ventilation baffle of claim 1, wherein the ventilation baffle is configured to nest with itself, such that when the ventilation baffle is rolled, at least a first one of the two or more truss channels of the ventilation baffle is overlaid onto a second one of the two or more truss channels of the ventilation baffle.

17. A method of using a ventilation baffle, the method comprising: laying the ventilation baffle over multiple roof trusses in a manufactured structure; slotting each of the multiple roof trusses into one of multiple truss channels of the ventilation baffle; installing roof decking over the ventilation baffle; and securing both the roof decking and the ventilation baffle to the multiple trusses at multiple locations along each of the multiple trusses, such that for each location along each of the multiple roof trusses, a single securing mechanism penetrates the roof decking, the ventilation baffle, and the one of the multiple roof trusses simultaneously, the single securing mechanism including any of a staple, a nail, a screw, a strap, or a combination of a strap and a staple, a nail or screw.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the ventilation baffle comprises multiple truss channels, the multiple truss channels regularly spaced apart at an interval of either one half or one third that of the interval between the multiple roof trusses.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the multiple locations include centered locations on each truss.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein securing both the roof decking and the ventilation baffle to the multiple trusses creates a space bounded in part by the ventilation baffle and the roof decking, the ventilation baffle and the roof decking making up opposite sides of the space.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein in laying the ventilation baffle over multiple roof trusses, the ventilation baffle includes at least two gussets positioned about each one the multiple truss channels.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising securing the ventilation baffle to each of the multiple roof trusses after slotting each of the multiple roof trusses into one of the multiple truss channels of the ventilation baffle.

23. A ventilation baffle in combination with two or more roof trusses and a roof decking to create an enclosed area, the ventilation baffle comprising a sheet of material with multiple channels separated by a regular distance, the regular distance corresponding to either half or one third of a distance between each of the two or more roof trusses measured from a center of each of the two or more roof trusses, the enclosed area having a first side defined by the roof decking and a second side opposite the first side that is defined by the ventilation baffle.

24. The combination of the ventilation baffle with the two or more roof trusses and the roof decking of claim 23, wherein the enclosed area has a predetermined air gap depth between the roof deck and the ventilation baffle, and wherein the depth of each of the multiple channels is equal to the predetermined air gap depth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a ventilation baffle;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ventilation baffle of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the ventilation baffle of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of ventilation baffle of a second embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the ventilation baffle of FIG. 4;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the ventilation baffle of FIG. 4;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective environmental view of multiple ventilation baffles of the second embodiment of the disclosure installed on a manufactured home, illustrating multiple trusses, insulation, and roof decking;

[0015] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of multiple ventilation baffles nested and rolled;

[0016] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the ventilation baffles of FIG. 8A showing the length of the nested and rolled ventilation baffles;

[0017] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional, semi-schematic view of a portion of a roof of a manufactured home illustrating roof decking, trusses, insulation material, a ventilation baffle, and an enclosed area, or plenum, created by this assembly of components; and

[0018] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method for installation of a ventilation baffle on a manufactured structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Having reference to the drawings, where like reference numbers comprise like elements, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a ventilation baffle, generally denoted by reference number 100. This ventilation baffle 100 is made of a sheet of material 110 with a length L and a width W.sub.p. The ventilation baffle 100 has a plurality of parallel truss channels 120 oriented along the length L of the sheet of material 110. Between each pair of the truss channels 120 is a flat portion 130. The overall shape of the sheet of material 110 is rectangular.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a plan view and FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the ventilation baffle 100 of FIG. 1. The distance, or pitch, P between adjacent truss channels 120, measured from the midpoint of each truss channel 120, is uniform across the width W.sub.p of the ventilation baffle 100. Each truss channel 120 has a height H and a width W.sub.c. A flat bottom portion 122 and opposing sides 124 make up each truss channel 120. The flat bottom portion 122 is substantially parallel to the flat portions 130 of the ventilation baffle 100, while the opposing sides 124 with a height H, are substantially vertical and substantially perpendicular to both the flat bottom portion 122 and the flat portions 130 of the baffle and have a length which corresponds to the length L of the ventilation baffle. The distance of the flat portion 130 between each pair of truss channels 120 is F.sub.L.

[0021] Each ventilation baffle has a regular distance (i.e., pitch) P between adjacent truss channels 120, as measured from the midpoint of the channels. However, a distance E from the edge of the ventilation baffle to the midpoint of the first truss channel as viewed along the width W.sub.p of the ventilation baffle 100 differs from the pitch P between adjacent truss channels 120. Similarly, the last truss channel 120, which has only one adjacent truss channel 120 is a distance E from its midpoint to the edge or end of the ventilation baffle.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment 200 of a ventilation baffle. In addition to having a sheet of material 110, the ventilation baffle 200 shown in FIGS. 4-6 has two or more parallel truss channels 120 which run along a length L of the ventilation baffle, as well as flat portions 130 between the truss channels 120. As with the previous embodiment of a ventilation baffle 100, each truss channel 120 has a flat bottom portion 122 and two opposing sides 124. Additionally, the ventilation baffle 200 has a plurality of gussets 140 along each of the two or more parallel truss channels 120.

[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, each of the two or more parallel truss channels 120 of the ventilation baffle 200 has at least four gussets 140 reinforcing the two opposing sides 124, with at least two gussets 140 along each of the two opposing sides 124. FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the ventilation baffle 200 in which the gussets 140 are shown reinforcing each of the truss channels 120. The gussets 140 which are adjacent to two other gussets 140 are spaced regularly apart at a distance d.sub.1. The placement or positioning of the gussets is shown as symmetric in FIGS. 4-6. The gussets 140 which are adjacent to only one other gusset, those which are along the perimeter of the ventilation baffle 200 along its width W.sub.p, may be located away from the edge of the ventilation baffle 200 at a distance which is the same or different from d.sub.1.

[0024] As illustrated in the front elevational view of FIG. 6, the gussets 140 are substantially triangular in shape, with an apex 142 adjacent to the edge 143 where the flat bottom 122 meets an opposing side 124. The foot 144 of the triangle that is the gusset 140 abuts the flat portion 130 between each pair of truss channels 120. The angle at the apex 142 between the side 124 and the edge 143 may range from approximately 15 degrees to 75 degrees, such as from approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees, including from approximately 50 degrees to 58 degrees. Each gusset 140 may have a width along its foot 144 of that is greater than that along the edge 143, such that the width of the gusset gradually increases from the edge 143 to the foot 144. The width of the gusset 140 along the foot 144 of the gusset may be approximately 20% to 50% of the length of the foot 144, such as approximately 25% to 45% of the length of the foot 144, including approximately 40% of the length of the foot 144. Though the gussets 140 are shown with uniform shape throughout the ventilation baffle 100, gusset shape may vary. For example the angle at the apex 142 may be smaller for gussets near the center of the ventilation baffle 100 compared to those along the edges of the ventilation baffle 100 or vice versa. Additionally, or alternatively, the angle at the apex 142 of gussets 140 may have 2 or more values throughout the ventilation baffle 100, such as 3 or more values, and including 4 or more values.

[0025] Though the gussets 140 are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 as pairs of gussets with a first gusset 140a on a first one of the opposing sides 124a directly across from a second gusset 140b on a second one of the opposing sides 124b, the gussets 140 along a first opposing side may be offset from the gussets 140 along a second opposing side (not shown). In other words, across a truss channel 120, the set of gussets 140 along a first opposing wall 124 (e.g., opposing side) may not be directly across from the set of gussets 140 along a second opposing wall 124. When an individual truss channel is examined from a top-down perspective, the positioning of the gussets may be asymmetrical with the median line of the channel used for reference. The gussets 140 may provide stiffening of the ventilation baffle 200, preventing buckling or excessive torsion of the baffle 200 during installation, especially before the ventilation baffle 200 is secured to one or more trusses (150 in FIGS. 7 and 9). The number of gussets 140 along each opposing wall 124 may be 12 evenly spaced gussets. Alternatively, the placement and number of gussets 140 may differ for some of the truss channels 120 or for each truss channel 120, optimizing for ability to stabilize the ventilation baffle 200. In this case, the positioning of the gussets may be asymmetrical when viewing a truss channel from a top down view and the symmetry is determined with respect to the midpoint of the truss channel.

[0026] The sheet of material 110 used to form the ventilation baffle 100, 200 may be any easily formed material including a metal, a stamped metal, an extruded material, an extruded metal, an extruded polymer (e.g., plastic), an injection molded plastic (e.g., polymer), a recycled material, an injected molded recycled plastic, a cardboard material, a fibrous material, fiberglass, a composite material, or any combination thereof. The material for the sheet of material 110 may be selected for characteristics including being lightweight, temperature resistance, moisture resistance, robustness, toughness, resistance to degradation with exposure to other building materials. Toughness may include the ability of the material to resist fretting, fraying, or crumbling during or after installation near the areas where fasteners, such as staples, nails, or screws, pass through the sheet of material 110. Temperature resistance may include a tolerance in the range of below 40 degrees C. to above 50 degrees C. Moisture resistance may include maintenance of toughness and ruggedness in extremely dry ambient conditions as well as in predominantly damp conditions.

[0027] The ventilation baffles 100, 200 described herein are configured for use with manufactured homes having roof trusses 150 with intervals between the trusses, measured center to center of the trusses, of either 16 inches (40.64 cm) or 24 inches (60.96 cm). To accommodate both of these truss configurations, the pitch P between truss channels 120, measured center to center of the truss channels 120, is approximately 8 inches (20.32 cm). The spacing between trusses 150 may vary, and in some uses, every second truss channel 120 is laid over a roof truss 150. In other words, the truss channels 120 of the ventilation baffles 100, 200 may be regularly spaced apart at an interval of either one half or one third that of the interval between adjacent roof trusses 150.

[0028] The width W.sub.c of each of the truss channels 120 is sized to accommodate the width of a standard roof truss 150, as well as variations in construction of roof framing construction. For example, the truss channels 120 may be sized to accommodate variation of the placement of roof trusses 150, such as being 1.25 times the width of standard roof truss 150. Because the truss channels 120 are larger than the trusses 150, the ventilation baffle 100, 200 can be used with trusses 150 assembled within a reasonable deviation from the most commonly used intervals of 16 inches (40.64 cm) and 24 inches (60.96 cm).

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a manufactured structure during construction, with multiple ventilation baffles 200 laid across roof trusses 150. As illustrated in FIG. 7, every third truss channel 120 is laid over a roof truss 150, with insulation 190 under the ventilation baffles 200 and between trusses 150. The ventilation baffles 200 illustrated in FIG. 7 include gussets 140 reinforcing the truss channels 120. On one portion of the roof, decking 160 is shown covering part of a ventilation baffle 200 and partially bare trusses 150.

[0030] The ventilation baffles 100, 200 are held in place over the trusses 150 by gravity and/or friction until roof decking 160 is placed over the baffles 100, 200 and fastened using the same fasteners used to secure the decking 160 to trusses 150. Securing the ventilation baffles 100, 200 to trusses 150 may involve placing roof decking 160 over the baffles which are over-laid on the trusses and then using a single securing mechanism which penetrates all three of the components: the roof deck, the ventilation baffles, and the truss simultaneously. The location of the securement may be centered over each truss, with multiple securing mechanisms (e.g., screws, staples, nails) aligned on each truss, so that the roof decking 160 and ventilation baffles 100, 200 are firmly secured to the trusses 150.

[0031] For convenience during transportation, the ventilation baffles 100, 200 are designed to be nestable, such that the ventilation baffles 100, 200 can be stacked with their edges aligned. In addition to allowing the ventilation baffles 100, 200 to be stacked with ventilation baffles of similar configurations for ease of transport, another benefit of the nestable nature of the ventilation baffles 100, 200 is that the nestability allows a first ventilation baffle to be securely joined to another ventilation baffle of similar configuration to cover the length of a roof without the need for any fasteners. Two ventilation baffles, as described herein, of similar configuration may be joined without fasteners which join exclusively the two baffles. To join two consecutive ventilation baffles of similar configurations, that is to say ventilation baffles with truss channels of similar dimensions (e.g., similar width and depth) and pitch P, laid out one after the other, a last truss channel of a first ventilation panel is overlaid with the first truss channel of a second ventilation panel. In such ventilation baffles 100, 200, the edge distance E of the first ventilation panel is equal to that of the second ventilation panel. Friction and/or gravity keep the first and second ventilation panels in place relative to each other during the construction process prior to being sandwiched between the trusses and the roof decking. Following the sandwiching, the roof decking, ventilation baffles, and trusses are secured with fasteners which are inserted through the roof decking and extend into the trusses. The configuration of these nestable ventilation baffles allows gravity or friction to keep consecutive ventilation baffles in place when laying them on trusses in the construction of a structure.

[0032] In addition to being nestable, the ventilation baffles 100, 200 may be compliant along their width W.sub.p. Depending on the ventilation baffle material, the ventilation baffles 100, 200 may be rigid in along their length L and compliant in the direction perpendicular to that of the length of the truss channels 120. The ventilation baffles 100, 200 made of materials (e.g., plastic, flexible polymers, malleable sheet metal, flexible composite materials) which are suitably compliant may be rolled, such that periodically truss channels 120 nest on top of each other and/or themselves. A single ventilation baffle 100, 200 may be configured to, or be able to, roll around itself so that a first one of its truss channels 120 can be overlaid onto a second truss channel 120, so that the first truss channel 120 and the second truss channel 120 are separated by a distance along the width W.sub.p of the ventilation baffle. The first and second truss channels 120 can have one or more truss channels 120 between them along the width W.sub.p of the ventilation baffle. Additionally, two or more ventilation baffles 100, 200 may be configured to nest one on top of each other and to roll in a fashion similar to that of a single ventilation baffle. The difference between the manner in which multiple ventilation baffles 100, 200 roll and a single ventilation baffle rolls is that when having a stack of multiple ventilation baffles one or more truss channels of the bottommost ventilation baffle can nestle into, or be overlaid upon, truss channels of the topmost ventilation baffle in the stack. This ability to be rolled increases the portability of ventilation baffles 100, 200, including the ease with which the ventilation baffles may be carried onto a roof framing of a manufacture structure or manufactured home.

[0033] FIGS. 8A and 8B show ventilation baffles that are nested and rolled. In FIG. 8A, there is a bundle 800 of nested and rolled ventilation baffles shown in a perspective view. FIG. 8B shows the same bundle 800 from another perspective in which the length of the bundle L can be seen. The overlapping channels 120, flat portions 130, and gussets 140 are also visible in FIG. 8A and 8B. The rolled bundle 800 of ventilation baffles has a diameter of D.sub.r. In an exemplary case, conventional ventilation baffles would occupy a footprint of at least 4 feet by 2.5 feet (1202 cm by 76.2 cm), while in contrast the bundled 800 nested and rolled ventilation baffles shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B have a diameter D.sub.r that may range from approximately 0.75 feet (22.86 cm) to approximately 3 feet (91.44 cm), including having a D.sub.r value of approximately 1 foot (30.5 cm). This difference in footprint during storage allows more ventilation baffles to be retained in a storage facility, potentially preventing delays in production. Each bundle 800 can include all of the ventilation baffles needed to complete a roof of a structure, specifically a roof of a manufactured home. Such bundles 800 can be carried by a single person easily to the top of a structure's frame, or lifted to an installation height using a rope, with or without a pulley, allowing for efficiency during structure manufacturing.

[0034] A plurality of fasteners 170 are used to secure the roof decking 160 to at least two trusses 150. As described above, the ventilation baffle 100, 200 is sandwiched between the trusses 150 and the roof decking 160 and secured in place with the plurality of fasteners 170. These fasteners 170 may include any of a nail, a screw, a strap, or a combination of a strap and a nail or screw. The ventilation baffle 100, 200 may be secured to the truss 150 without employing a separate securing means to affix the ventilation baffle 100, 200 to the truss 150. The ability of the ventilation baffle 100, 200 to be temporarily affixed to trusses 150 and to each other prior to the roof decking being added reduces the number of fasteners needed in the over-all construction of a manufactured home, reducing the parts needed and the time to assemble the manufactured home.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a roof of a manufactured home in the process of being assembled. The section shows a ventilation baffle 200 with every third truss channel 120 laid over a truss 150. A section of roof decking 160 is shown as secured to trusses 150 with fittings 170 which also pass through and secure the ventilation baffle 200 to the trusses. Once affixed to the trusses 150, the roof decking 160 and the ventilation baffle 200 create an enclosed area or plenum 180 that is sealed once the roof is fully constructed. The enclosed space, or plenum 180, is bounded in part by the ventilation baffle 200 on a first side and in part by the roof decking on a second side, with the first and second sides opposite each other. The plenum 180 is constructed so that once the roof is complete, a person cannot access the plenum 180 without damaging the ventilation baffle 200 or the roof decking 160. In other words, the plenum 180 is inaccessible upon competition of the roof of the structure. It should be appreciated that a plenum as used in this disclosure may refer to any area or space which is partially or fully enclosed. The area or space may contain air or air combined with other matter.

[0036] The height H of the truss channels 120 may be selected to create a plenum 180 that defines an air gap of a predetermined height, for example a 1-inch (2.54 cm) air gap. To create such an air gap, the height H of each truss channel 120 is approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm). The truss channels 120 are sized or configured to accommodate the standard roof trusses used in the manufactured home industry, including slight variations in the placement of the roof trusses during construction of a manufactured home. Preferably, the truss channels 120 have a width W.sub.c of approximately 1.25 inches (3.175 cm). As indicated above, truss channels 120 are wide enough to accommodate deviations in roof assembly in structures, including in manufactured homes. Construction may deviate from the ideal truss pitch (i.e., distance between the center of each truss), truss thickness, or both pitch and thickness. To accommodate these deviations in construction, the truss channels 120 have a width greater than that of a standard truss. Truss channels 120 may vary in width from the ideal (i.e., standard) width of a truss 150 in a range of +5% to +10% of standard truss thickness. For example, some structures may use lumber that has a cross-section of 2 inches (5.08 cm) by 4 inches (10.16 cm) (i.e., 24s), and in that case truss channels 120 may have a width in the range of 2.1 inches (5.334 cm) to 2.2 inches (5.588 cm).

[0037] In order to accommodate the overlap of a first and second ventilation baffle, the distance E from a first or last truss channel 120 to an edge of a ventilation panel is consistent. This distance E may be, for example, preferably 4 inches (10 cm). The dimensions of the sheet of material 110 which make up the ventilation baffle 100, 200 are length L by width W.sub.p. Length L is preferably approximately 30 inches (76.2 cm), and the width W.sub.p is preferably approximately 96 inches (243.84 cm), though other sizes are possible. The regularity of the placement of truss channels 120 and the ability of ventilation baffles 100, 200 to be overlapped allows for any excess ventilation baffle material to be trimmed and used in the construction of another structure. This also reduces waste with respect to the ventilation baffles 100, 200.

[0038] The width of the truss channels may accommodate the trusses used in fabrication of the structures as well variations in construction, as described above. The depth of the truss channels may also conform to current building standards and may preferably be 1 inch (2.54 cm). These dimensions may be adjusted to accommodate changes in the standards used by the manufactured structure industry or to improve manufacturability of the ventilation baffle. For example, should the required air gap become 2 inches (5.08 cm), then the height H of the truss channels 120 can change to be 2 inches. Additionally, the distance between truss channels as measured on center may be varied to accommodate the pitch of trusses of the structures in which they will be used.

[0039] The sheet of material used to fabricate the ventilation baffle may be selected for various characteristics including strength to weight ratio, being lightweight, temperature resistance, moisture resistance, toughness (e.g., ability to resist fraying during and after installation), formability, greenness, insulative properties, robustness, cost, and the like. For example, post-consumer recycled polymer (e.g., recycled plastic) may be selected as the sheet material because it may have a reduced carbon footprint, it may be easily and quickly molded, and it may be suitably tough to endure the handling and securing process, as well as the temperature fluctuations endured by a typical roof. The material selected for the ventilation baffle may be sufficiently robust to resist fraying during the installation and securing process, as well as being sufficiently resistant to fretting (e.g., wear) around points of securement.

[0040] The selection of the material of the ventilation baffle in combination with the plenum's air gap can increase the insulative capability of a roof and decrease the humidity levels in the roof area. The decrease in the humidity levels in the roof area is facilitated by more robust air exchange due to the materials used for the baffles and the configuration of the created plenum. These features combined may aid a structure, such as a manufactured home, in meeting energy efficiency standards. The use of fasteners that secure the roof decking and ventilation baffle at once to the trusses reduces the time needed to complete that portion of the roof structure, thus increasing the efficiency of constructing a manufactured home.

[0041] In use, a ventilation baffle may be installed as illustrated in the method illustrated in FIG. 10. A first step includes laying the ventilation baffle over multiple roof trusses in a manufactured structure as in 1001. While laying the ventilation baffle over roof trusses, or after such laying, each truss of a roof frame may be slotted into a corresponding truss channel in the ventilation baffle. Installing roof decking over the ventilation baffle is a next step 1002. Securing the roof decking to at least two of the trusses using a plurality of fasteners, sandwiching in the ventilation baffle between the roof decking and the trusses is a following step 1003, a single fastener, or a single securing mechanism, may be used to secure the roof decking to a truss, with a ventilation baffle in between. It is not necessary to use staples to secure the ventilation baffle to a truss then secure the roof decking using yet another staple or a nail or screw. The ventilation baffle may be visually inspected after the roof decking has been overlaid and both the ventilation baffle and roof decking have been secured to the roof trusses (e.g., roof frame). Should this visual inspection, or any other visual inspection, show that there is slack in the ventilation baffle between trusses, staples or other securing means may be used to secure a side of one or more truss channel to a side of a truss to lessen the slack. In this case, slack in the ventilation baffle may be a bowing downward, under the pull of gravity, of the sheet of material so that a plenum created between the ventilation baffle and the roof decking has a depth greater than the depth of any of the truss channels in the ventilation baffle. For example, when the desired plenum, or air gap, between the roof decking and ventilation baffle has a height of 1 inch (2.54 cm), then the depth of the truss channels in the ventilation baffle will be 1 inch. Should the portions of the ventilation baffle not directly hang on a truss so that a plenum would have a height of more than 1 inch at any point, then the ventilation baffle can be said to have slack. That slack can be taken up by the use of additional securing means as described above.

[0042] While various embodiments of ventilation baffles for construction of manufactured homes have been described herein, it is recognized that this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Variations may be made thereto which are still within the scope of the appended claims.