Homes accumulate heat and moisture, whether you’re living in a hot, dry climate or a muggy, humid one. When hot and cold air comes into or out of a house, it can cause moisture to be built up and trapped where it’s most likely to escape the roof. You need to vent that heat or cold to prevent leaks, mildew, and mold caused by condensation.
Which vent you need depends mostly on your roof type, and it comes down to mostly two types of vents, ridge vents, and box vents.
We’re going to get into the pros and cons of each type, a detailed overview of each type, ridge, box, and maybe some alternatives. There will be some tips and tricks, but ultimately, if you’re struggling with deciding, contact a contractor you trust that can help you before you potentially damage your roof or choose something that won’t work for you.
What is a Ridge Vent?
A ridge vent is an air exhaust vent installed at the top of your roof where the roof will peak. An air slot made the roof’s peak and covered by the ridge vent itself.
This provides a continuous and uniform exhaust venting at the very top of the attic. They are specifically made to resist rain, snow, insects, animals, and debris from getting into your house. Typically, ridge shingles are installed to protect the ridge vent and make it look finished and even. However, metal ridge vents may not require ridge shingles.
Proper attic ventilation requires that air enter the attic and exit it without obstruction, creating a continuous airflow. This is a passive system, so it doesn’t take any energy to function.
Pros
- Suppose you’re building a new home or replacing a roof, a ridge vent balances out the hot and cold air in your attic. Hot air rises, no matter the strength of your air conditioner, so your attic will always be a little hotter than the rest of your house. Ridge vents help the hot air escape. In colder months, the cold air outside keeps the heat in the roof and helps to save some money.
- Roof ridge vents are sleek and go with the look of your house, and they are hard to notice from the ground. The silhouette of your house won’t be too affected by the vent. Due to its rather simplistic design, it’s easy to install along the entire peak of your house.
- Ridge vents prevent animals like rodents from getting into your attic. An older roof vent might demand you use traps or other obstacles against animals, but a ridge vent doesn’t need that kind of protection.
- Most ridge vents, when installed correctly, move air naturally without the need for electricity. As a result, your home is filled with fresh air, less moisture build-up, and no extra utility costs through air pressure and proper ventilation.
- Ridge vents can help reduce your indoor pollution levels using the same techniques to operate functionally. An average person spends most of their day indoors, and indoor air can be up to 5 times worse than the outside air. Ridge vents, by way of accessing natural airflow, can reduce those levels and reduce that pollution. It helps people who suffer from allergies or other respiratory troubles.
- Ridge vents work well independently, though they can work with other vents as well. In addition, ridge vents can draw moisture from your home all by themselves, which can ultimately help against mold and mildew build-up.
- Ridge vents work no matter the season or the weather. They are designed to work all year. Due to their design being so close to the roof, weather changes don’t affect your attic that much.
Cons
- For all their pros, they do still have some cons. Ridge vents aren’t a one-size-fits-all and can depend on the circulation of the rest of the house. If your house does not receive the circulation that the ridge vent makes, it can’t work as intended.
- Ridge vents don’t suffer from weather changes much, but that might not be the case during extreme weather. They could leak water during heavier rainfalls. Attics will have to be inspected for water damage. The only way to stop water leakage is to remove the vent completely and replace it with something that will work for you.
- Ridge vents are pricier initially because of the way they are built. The only other options are to choose ones that fit your budget. Older homes may require other vents with their ridge vents, which can get costly themselves as well.
- Ridge vents work better in colder climates. In hotter environments, like the subtropics, there are cheaper and better ways to handle attic ventilation than ridge vents. Colder climates see the most use for attic ventilation. Also, make sure you have sufficient insulation to stop condensation from getting on your roof sheathing.
- By their nature, they need to be installed at the peak of your roof, so if your home has a flat roof, then these are a no-go. If you only have a part of your roof that can be vented, it could reduce the effectiveness of the ridge vent.
What is a Box Vent?
Box vents get their names from their shape, looking like small boxes on the roof. They are placed over a hole cut into the roof, but they are not usually on or near the peak. Box vents are static vents, and while they can be effective, they are unmoving and less efficient on ridge vents that use natural airflow to their advantage.
Box vents pair with soffit vent systems, which lets the box vent pull warm air that escapes. If your attic is large, you may need more than one box vent to work well. Also, roofs with multiple levels will need box vents at those levels for proper ventilation.
Pros
- Box vents take advantage of natural convection to pull hot air up and out of the roof, along with any moisture. They have no moving parts, so they are essentially a covered gap in your attic.
- They can be installed almost anywhere on your roof, so depending on your type of roof, you can use box vents for even nontraditional profiles of houses.
- Box vents are also called low-profile vents or flat vents, as they don’t stick out from your roof too much. Many are available in dark colors that blend into your roof as well.
Cons
- You may have to install more than one box vent on your roof, depending on its size. Box vents aren’t as effective as other venting methods and cover smaller areas. It depends on the square footage of your attic to how many box vents you may need.
- Box vents aren’t effective alone. If box vents are the exhaust vent, they need an intake vent to push the hot air out of your attic.
- Box vents can prevent outside elements from getting into your attic, and most are just as rodent-resistant as ridge vents.
Which one should you Choose Between Ridge Vent and Box Vent, and Why?
It all depends on your type of roof and the climate you are in. If you have a roof peak that can support ridge vents, those may be your better option.
As stated above, some climates don’t work for ridge vents, so you may want to find alternatives if you’re in a hotter zone.
Ridge vents can be more expensive, but they are more effective than box vents and hold up better against weather and wear. This will not work for all roof types, like flat roofs or complex roofs.
Can you Combine Ridge Vent and Box Vent?
If you have a roof that has multiple types of roofing, you could. If you have a roof and attic that can successfully support a ridge vent, box vents aren’t necessary.
If you live in a scorching climate where ridge vents aren’t as effective, then maybe not using them at all and going with other options will be your best bet.
Other Types of Vents
There are other types of vents you could use, but not all of them work on their own independently.
Soffit vents are installed in the soffit, the portion under the roof overhang, and pull air into the attic. They can vary in their looks, but they all function the same. These work best when paired with box vents or other types of venting.
Turbine vents are common, and wind causes them to spin and create airflow in the attic. Also, useful when paired with other vents to promote complete airflow.
Turtle vents, also called eyebrow vents, provide curved openings on roof slopes. These are most effective when used in pairs side by side to facilitate airflow.
How to Choose a Roof Vent
Check the size of your roof. This isn’t the only thing you need to consider, but it is a big factor. Climate, roof pitch, and venting locations play a big role too. Along with all other factors above, figure out your budget, the size of your roof, your attic’s needs, and consider your climate and environment.
Conclusion
Choosing a proper ventilation system for your attic can be a headache, but with a bit of help, you can choose the right one. Make sure you choose something that works for you and fits into your individual needs.