Roof ventilation is an essential concern for home buyers and commercial building occupants. Moreover, there are many important considerations, including cost and energy efficiency.
The roof ventilation options range from whole-roof ventilators to ridge vents. And power vents, among other types. So, in this article, we explore the options in detail.
The Styles of Ventilation Systems
Exhaust Vents
“Heat does not rise, hot air rises,” says Christopher Baird, a physics professor at West Texas A&M University. So it helps vent your attic space. And that’s because it’s the hot air, which contains moisture, that you want to get out of your attic area.
If heated air remains stagnant, it can breed foul-smelling mildew and, eventually, mold. That’s one of the primary reasons why ventilation is critical to the health of your home.
Exhaust-style vents are typically installed near your roofline because hot air rises. The ridge vent is the most prevalent exhaust vent utilized in modern roofing systems. Unless the home’s layout prohibits it, we install a ridge vent on every new roof installed by Roof Hub.
Remember that ridge vents. And similar exhausts allow hot, humid, damp stagnant air to depart your home. But they are only one-half of any successful venting strategy!
Intake Vents
Hot air exiting your attic is crucial for the health of your home and the longevity of your roof. But hot air is tricky to remove! It won’t leave unless pushed to. Thus, we’ll need something to act as a bouncer. Cooler air has arrived.
The second part of a strong venting technique is cool, fresh air (in intake ventilation). Cooler air enters your attic space through intake vents. Located lower on the roofline. Cooler air enters beneath hot air.
Moreover, intake ventilation will help move stubborn hot air out of the attic space. Thus hot air rises). Cool air is brought in through intake vents (similar to soffit vents) and acts as a bouncer.
The cooler intake air pushes the hot air out of the house. And that’s as long as you have exhaust vents having enough surface area. In an ideal world, everything is, of course, a complete cycle.
What Happens If My Roof Doesn’t Have Proper Ventilation?
Poor rooftop ventilation is a common cause of ice jams. Also, rapid devastation of your home, property, and all your treasure. Everything that matters to you will be annihilated in the most heinous way possible. I’m joking.
There may not be catastrophic consequences if you do not have adequate ventilation. But, substantial negatives will affect your attic space, roof, property, and lifestyle. They are as follows:
- As a result of dead attic air, there is poor indoor air quality (summer)
- Overworked HVAC (air conditioning) systems are compelled to work harder to cool your home’s second (and third, if applicable) floors
- Moisture accumulation in the attic (in the form of warm air)
- If you reside in a colder region, you may encounter ice dams throughout the winter months
- Roof sheathing has dry decay
What is Attic Ventilation?
The ventilation system in your attic is a mechanism that allows your house to breathe. It works by drawing fresh air into your attic. And allowing heat to leave through your vents.
Attic ventilation systems are classified into two types: active and passive. Active ventilation draws in air from outside and pushes it out from within. Passive ventilation refers to air movement in the attic. And it’s caused by natural sources such as wind.
Both ventilation systems do their jobs well, yet neither is superior. But, if your attic isn’t aired, it will cause complications.
What are the Best Roof Ventilation Methods?
The best roof ventilation methods are static, moving, solar and electrical vents.
- Static Vents: They have little to no moving parts and stay in place. They work by passively allowing hot air and moisture to escape the attic through the vent by natural convection.
- Moving Vents: They have moving parts that operate when the wind blows. They act as a vacuum of warm air, drawing it out of the attic areas of a property.
- Electrical Vents: These types of vents require electricity to run. They have ventilation openings that allow air circulation by convection within the enclosure.
- Solar Vents: These types of vents generate energy from the sun. They offer better efficiency than a standard, wind-powered vent and carry better airflow capacity if installed properly.
Roof Ventilation Types for Attic Ventilation
The 4 main types of roof vents for attic ventilation are turbine, power, ridge, and solar-powered vents. Unlike passive ventilation, these types of vents actively work to ensure the attic air is distributed correctly and evenly.
Turbine Vents
Turbine vents or whirlybirds work by drawing effect via convection (heat rising). And that’s to transport the air within the attic ventilation. The transportation goes on even without wind.
As long as you install this roof vent properly, the air in the attic moves 10-12 rounds/hour.
Turbine roof vents come with slats. And are open-aired within the attic ventilation. Because of that, people assume that snow or rain can enter your home. However, manufacturers design turbine vents to prevent such things from entering your homes.
Attic Power Vents
Power vents are circular-shaped vents with low profiles found on roofs.
They are situated near the roof’s ridge (top) and use electricity to extract hot air from the attic. It would help if you used a humidistat to control your power vents during the winter.
Otherwise, the humidity will accumulate in your attic. Thus causing condensation and shortening the lifespan of your roof. Also, power vent motors are prone to failure, so be prepared to replace them at some point.
Solar Powered Vents
Power vents and solar powered vents are both similar types of vents. They are, nevertheless, fueled by the sun.
Those vents look like fantastic energy savers. But they are turned off while the solar-powered battery is charging.
The solar panel will not hold a charge long enough to run the vent all day due to the power necessary to drive the motor. As a result, your air conditioner may run more frequently while the battery is charging. Thus increasing your energy consumption.
Ridge Vents with a Baffle
Ridge vents are cut into the roof’s ridge and run its length.
This type of vent is popular because it is not visible from the ground. While ridge vents are pretty famous, the disadvantage of this vent is that insects, trash, and rain. Also, snow can enter the attic if it lacks a filter.
If a ridge vent lacks a baffle (chute that provides a route for air to flow) to assist in moving air through your attic, it is a passive vent.
Off Ridge Vents
The names are similar. But an off-ridge vent is only identical to a ridge vent in that they both lie near the crest of your roof. In fact, “off ridge vents” resemble box vents far more than ridge vents!
Off ridge vents are not a common type of vent. And are not recommended compared to other, more effective exhaust roofing vents. Off ridge vents are less effective than complete ridge vents. And that’s because they are smaller and do not perch as high on the roof.
Also, their size prevents them from discharging a considerable amount of hot air. And their placement prevents them from venting the air as ridge vents do.
Box Vents (aka Louver Vents)
Box roof vents have some similarities with off-ridge vents. But between the two roof vents, Box vents are the more popular attic ventilation solution.
The design of the box vents is extra square compared to off-ridge roof vents. Thus the name “box vents.” There’s a wide range of roof vents that match the space you need. The most common-sized box vents in the market nowadays are 18 by 18 inches.
The box vents are in the top two exhaust vents alongside ridge vents. And it’s common to see them on modern-day roofs.
Their tiny size is a drawback. But the box vents do offer versatility, unlike the ridge roof vents.
Cupola Vents
The tower-looking equipment on your roof is a cupola roof vent.
The cupola roof vent is among the least common roof vents. And that’s because of complexity and cost. But, apart from that, the cupola roof vent doesn’t have other everyday use. As a result, most homeowners don’t go through the primary problem it solves.
Originally, cupola air vents were both intake and exhaust roof vents. And in modern days, the cupola roof vent allows extra light to pass through. But underneath the roof vent.
Cupola roof vents come in several styles and shapes. Some come with wooden louvers around their openings for protection. At the same time, the rest are wide open for light maximization.
Most Italian-inspired houses have cupola roof vents on their roofline for multiple purposes.
Soffit Vents (Most Popular Intake Attic Ventilation)
Soffit vents are popular among home builders. And roofers because they are the most cost-effective intake vent. If the form of the home allows for it, most new home builders include soffit vents in the blueprint.
What precisely is a soffit vent?
Soffits are intake vents built on your eaves, located beneath your roofline. That’s referred to as the “roof overhang” by some.
Continuous soffit vents are longer and wrap over a home’s whole eaves. Because of the extra surface area, soffits vents, like ridge vents, save you money. Also, they run along the entire peak of a roof.
The more surface area there is, the more air can pass through. Thus, continuous soffits are made of vinyl with intake holes. And because they are of vinyl make, they come in various textures and colors to match the design. And the mood of almost any home.
Over Fascia Vents
Fascia vents, also called over-fascia vents, are a newer roofing intake. And are designed for roofs with low eaves to support soffit vents. A fascia vent is built above the fascia board and gutter, beneath the first row of shingles.
Unlike soffit vents, which rely on rising air, the main idea behind fascia vents is to allow air intake. That is, where the wind meets the roof.
The efficiency of over-fascia vents is disputed due to their small surface area. Even though they span the entire bottom of the roofline, they are only around 12 inches tall. That reflects a significant reduction in available airflow. And that’s compared to the surface area of soffit ventilation.
Most experts recommend over fascia vents for homes where soffit vents are impossible. And for more complex roofs where soffit vents alone would be insufficient.
Drip Edge Vents
Because of the design/functions, fascia vents and drip edge vents are similar. However, both have advantages and disadvantages. First, the air intake must touch the roof with drip edge and fascia vents. Then move cold air up the interior roof wall towards any exhaust vent at the roof’s peak.
Drip edge vents are not the same as fascia vents in that they are installed in different areas. Instead, the drip edge is a roofing material laid beneath the first row of shingles. And that’s to help drain water into the gutters. It’s frequently made of flexible metal.
A drip edge vent inserts intake into the traditional roofing materials. That drill into the drip edge itself or added as an add-on to the drip edge.
As you might expect, installation is quite complicated. And experts should only carry out the installation.
Drip edge vents, like fascia vents, are helpful for roofs that cannot use enough soffit vents. But it can’t compare to soffit vents.
Static Vents
Static vents allow heat to pass through convention and out of your home’s roof. And that means escaped heat within your attic goes up. Also, it pushes hot air out via the static vents. One last thing, static vents are also known as turtle vents.
Hard-Wired Powered Attic Ventilation
Powered attic vents/attic power vents are fans running on electricity. And they help soak in stale air from an attic space.
Overall, keeping the attic at constant temperatures is the purpose of attic ventilation. And that’s in comparison to the rest of your home.
Weaker-powered attic ventilation units can alter your home’s ventilation strategy.
According to some homeowners, weaker attic ventilation circulates hot instead of cool air. While consistent airflow is important for preventing mildew, it should discharge hot air. But a weak-powered attic vent doesn’t cut it at all!
On top of the complex downsides above, there are extra electricity bills. That’s because a properly ventilated attic needs to be on throughout. Thus, shooting up your energy bills.
Gable Vents
Gable vents are an earlier, somewhat outmoded intake. Moreover, it serves as a partial exhaust system. Unlike vertical ventilation, Gable vents use horizontal or cross-ventilation. For that reason, they help keep air circulating through the attic space. The basic idea is that air enters through one side of the attic and exits through the other.
Because a vent may sit on either side of the house, a gable vent is utilized with a gable-style roof. But, these vents are less effective on more complex roof types. That’s because rafter beams and other roof components can obstruct the cross breeze.
Gable vents exist in various shapes and sizes. The most common is a triangle shape that lies right below the top of the roofing system. They can be wood or vinyl, but metal is the most common.
While more venting surface area is preferable in roofing, you should exercise caution. And that’s when combining a gable vent with any vertical ventilation method. We issue this caution because the cross breeze affects air from a vertical intake. (such as a soffit) to a vertical exhaust (like a ridge vent). So, when gable vents enter the picture, the goal of using the soffit and ridge vents is dead.
Attic Exhaust Vents Pros and Cons
Ridge Ventilation System
According to some home service companies, ridge vents go for $3/linear foot. But the amount doesn’t cover installation. The ridge vent comes with 4-foot options. And vendors sell the attic ventilation as singles or cases of ten each. Moreover, on average, a ridge vent would cost you $400 to $500.
Pros
- Almost invisible, ridge vents can blend with your shingles
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Provides ventilation without wind or power
- Most effective passive ventilation that rarely leaks
Cons
- Works best with a soffit vent
- Easier to install whenever you want to re-roof your home
- Matching with shingles may be difficult
Static Vents
According to HomeAdvisor, other non-powered vents come in various shapes, colors, and styles. Ranging from $10 to $400. Static vents, often known as box vents, contain no moving elements to direct airflow. Also, static vent styles include the Mushroom, Turtle, and Dormer vents.
Pros
- It is less difficult to add to an existing roof
- It is possible to place it anywhere on the roof
- There is nothing that moves
Cons
- You’ll have to install several
- Not as appealing as a ridge vent
- Birds make their homes in some styles
- Static vents need frequent inspections
Turbine Attic Ventilation System
Despite being technically static vents, turbines are in a class of their own. And that’s because the wind powers them. According to HomeAdvisor, turbine vents cost between $20 and $100, plus an hour or two of labor.
Quality determines the vast range of expenses. Experts advocate paying extra upfront for higher-quality things.
pros
- When the wind is blowing, it works harder
- There will be fewer turbine vents than traditional static vents
Cons
- Steel ones are prone to rust
- It may make noise or stop working overtime
- Some people think they’re unattractive
Powered Attic Vents
They are named that since they need solar or electric power to turn a fan that propels air. An electric-powered vent costs $100 to $400. At the same time, a solar-powered vent costs $200 to 500. With installation ranging from $135 to $300 per vent, according to HomeAdvisor.
Pros
- More expensive models may incorporate thermostats. And hydrostats programmed to turn on at specific temperatures or humidity levels
- More air exits from the attic than a static vent
- It can stay on the roof or in the gable
Cons
- May pull extra cool air from the air leaks within the attic than from the soffit attic ventilation
- Adds to your home’s cooling costs
- Must have proper attic ventilation intake, or the motor will wear out
- Need regular inspections for them to run well
- Need wiring, which involves electrician costs
Attic Intake Vents Pros and Cons
Soffit vents
The soffit sections go for $3 to $4 for each linear foot. That’s according to HomeAdvisor. And the longer soffit sections cost between $8 and $10 for each linear foot. If you aren’t replacing the whole soffit, you’ll pay $45 to $75/hour for labor.
Pros
- sits at the lower part of your roof
- soffit vents allow extra air circulation
Cons
- Most effective when you utilize them with ridge vents
- Homeowners tend to cover them with attic insulation
Gable Vents
Gable vents sit at the highest point of the roof’s gables. They can be as subtle as a piece of perforated vinyl paneling. If the gable’s ends face the street, one can choose something extra decorative. According to HomeAdvisor, gable vents range from $10 to $60, with some types costing up to $100.
Pros
- It is possible to use it as an exhaust and intake vent.
- Affordable option
- Used with attic fans
Cons
- Some roof lines make it impossible to use.
- Least effective for attic cooling
Why Attic Ventilation system is Important
An adequately ventilated attic allows air to enter at the lowest point. And exit at the highest position.
Excessive heat in a stagnant attic may cause your AC unit to work overtime. Thus, increasing energy expenses. Proper attic ventilation can aid in the energy efficiency of a property.
Moisture Damage: Without the movement of drier outside air through the attic, condensation. And moisture can build up and cause various issues.
Ice Damming: Without enough ventilation, heat concentrates in the attic. And when combined with sunlight, it melts the snow on the roof.
How to Calculate Attic Ventilation
- Measure the upper room floor space (L x W) of the area you want to ventilate. Then, get inside the upper room. But don’t use the rooftop plane as the reason for estimation.
- Calculate the absolute attic ventilation required with the simple to use 1:300 rule. Then, install at least 1 square foot of ventilation space for every 300 square feet of floor space. A web-based ventilation calculator figures it out for you.
- Divide the ventilation you need in half. One half will be intake ventilation, and the other half will be exhaust ventilation. Intake and exhaust ventilation must be uniformly split.
How to Tell if your Attic Ventilation is Properly Vented
Fortunately, your home shows signs of an unbalanced ventilation system. The signs include:
- Living rooms with excess warmth due to no escape route for the air
- Frost or moisture within your attic during winter
- Ice dams on the roof edge during winter
- Absence of vents on your eaves on the roof
- Decaying home exterior
- Peeling paint
- Roof damage
How to Choose the Right Attic Ventilation Options
In most cases, I’d recommend ridge vents for exhaust. And intake for soffit vents.
Box vents can be your second choice if you can’t have ridge vents. And if you cant’ have individual soffit vents, fascia vents will do.
With all that said, each home is different. Thus, the suitable vent will depend on your roof’s shape or style.
We can agree on the following two points:
First, having a mixture of exhaust and intake vents is advantageous.
Second, vertical ventilation is extra adequate, unlike cross or horizontal ventilation.
FAQs
What are the Best Roof Exhaust Vent Types?
The 4 common roof exhaust vent types are turbine, power, ridge, and solar-powered vents, and they work actively to ensure the air inside the attic is properly circulated.
What are the Best Roof Venting Options?
The 4 main roof ventilation options are turbine, power, ridge, and solar-powered vents. Unlike passive ventilation, these types of vents actively work to ensure the attic air is distributed correctly and evenly.
What are the Vents On My Roof?
They are called roof vents. Roof vents form the base of your attic ventilation system. They let your attic breathe and protect your roof system from damaging heat and moisture.
What are the Different Types of Attic Vents?
The most common types of attic ventilation systems are active and passive. Attic ventilation systems allow fresh air into your attic while releasing the excess hot air through the vents. Both types of ventilation systems are important, and one isn’t better than the other.
Types of Vents on Outside of House
The most common types of vents outside the house are turbine, ridge, gable, and box vents. These vents allow outside air circulation under the floor in summer, preventing moisture buildup that encourages mildew and rot. In winter, the air is dry, so they are closed to prevent the pipes in the crawl space from freezing.
Conclusion
Roof ventilation is an effective strategy for managing high indoor temperatures. You’ve got plenty of options for your roof’s louvers, and each option has its pros and cons.
The goal is to find a solution that works best for your needs to stay cool without sacrificing personal comfort or energy savings.
In the article, we’ve covered all that. And now you have the guidance you need.