We recently purchased a 1952 home that has a gable vent at either end of the attic. There are no soffits at all, let alone soffit vents. No ridge vent. No mechanical fans of any type. The previous owners added some insulation between rafters and hung radiant / bubble insulation inside the roof. The home inspector pointed out that the radiant insulation was not appropriate for an attic without a ridge vent system, and he recommended adding a powered gable fan to help pull air through the attic. Roofers have suggested adding powered roof exhaust fans and/or ridge vents, but from what I read these may not be helpful and may even be harmful.

Would adding a ridge vent help at all -- would it be able to pull air in through the gable vents?

If we add a powered gable fan, should we add just one, or add TWO (with one pulling air in and one pushing air out)?

Should we remove the radiant / bubble insulation or leave it?

We plan to get up in there and measure the insulation, and we will get a home energy audit too,…