I am pretty sure I know the answer to this already, but my old neighbor disagrees with me, so I want to check with any home construction types here just incase.

I'm getting ready to saw out a bunch of holes for soffet vents underneath the overhang on both sides of my house.  It's a typical early 70's 3 bedroom split level, with the roof overhanging the walls by about a foot front and back.

Anyway, my neighbor, who has never built a house, claims I may be structurally compromising my house by sawing out too many holes under the overhang to install soffet vents.

I always thought the roof beams entire weight rested on the walls of the house, and the soffet boards were pretty much there just to close up the space between the end of your roof and your wall, but don't supply any strength in holding the roof beams up.

He says he thinks they're their for added strength, but my attic beams have really dried out from summer heat over the years, having had no vents at all under the overhang, and I want to put a bunch in.

So is my neighbor right or wrong?

you're right he's wrong.

Your neighbor is wrong, and his explanation supporting his wrong idea is bogus.

Cut away!

Just to repeat what the others have said - You are right, neighbor is wrong.

Think about it, the soffet is HUNG off of the bottom of the rafters which supports the roof.  The rafters are supported by the outside walls and bearing partitions inside.  You could take the entire soffets off and not change the structural integrity.  Venting the soffet is a good idea and should be done and is code in many areas.  Go for it.

He's justing a "neighbor"

Anyways, as long as youre not cutting into any bearing walls,rafters,trusses,beams or shear panel, your ok.

He needs to think a little harder.  Don't these people ever play with blocks as a kid?

Cut away, my friend!

fire up that sawsall!!!

Just to bump my post count...You're correct and your neighbor is a fcking ID-10T. I will ponder that he's not an engineer?! Go practice on his house to prove that you're right! [devil]

FWIW...add a ridge vent to give an outlet for the attic air............

 What he said.  Also, humidity builds up in the attic in the winter, and can SERIously compromise structural integrity by causing wood to rot.  Soffit vents and a ridge vent are the way to go.  If you want to get fancy install an exhaust fan (looks like a mushroom) with a thermostat AND a humidistat, and power vent the attic.  Ops

As previously stated, soffet is not loading bearing.  Install a vent every 3 to 5 feet.