The types of roof vents you choose to install on your home can have a dramatic effect on the ventilation and overall performance of your roofing system.
Without proper roof ventilation, you can face a lot of issues. Your roof vents help with:
- Preventing moisture build-up in the attic
- Preventing ice dams and improving snowmelt
- Keeps your attic from smelling musty
- Protects your plumbing systems
- Keeps moisture out of your kitchen and bathroom
- Prevents wood rot
- Prolongs the lifespan of your roof
But roofing vents are not one-size-fits-all: there are many different types, styles, and functions of roof vents. Today we’ll go through some of the most popular options, plus their pros and cons so you can ensure you choose the best ones for your home’s needs.
Our Introduction to Roof Ventilation
Roof ventilation is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy and energy-efficient home. It involves the use of roof vents to remove hot air, moisture, and stale air from the attic space, while allowing fresh air to enter. Proper roof ventilation can help prevent issues such as ice dams, mold, and mildew, while also reducing energy bills and extending the lifespan of the roof.
There are various types of roof vents available, including ridge vents, soffit vents, box vents, and turbine vents, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the different types of roof vents and how they work is essential for ensuring proper roof ventilation and maintaining the integrity of your home. Whether you want to invest in better roof ventilation, new home siding, or premium roofing materials, rely on local experts like Northface Construction for advice and service.
The Most Popular Types of Roof Vents (And Their Benefits)
There are many types of roof vents, and each has its own set of pros and cons. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common types of roof vents and how they help your roof function at its best.
Active roof vents, such as turbine and power vents, continuously move air in and out of the attic, while static vents operate silently without any moving parts.
First, we’ll go over common exhaust vents which allow the release of air from your home—then we’ll talk about intake vents that bring airflow into your home. Both are vital for your roof to function properly.
Ridge Vents
The most common type of exhaust vent for your roof is a ridge vent, which provides extensive coverage across the entire roof. These may be installed by placing a few different box vents near the ridge, but the most efficient ridge vent is installed right along your roof’s ridge. This ensures a consistent flow of air and keeps your attic nice and dry.
Ridge vents are strategically placed at the roof’s peak to effectively release the hottest air from the attic.
Pros:
- Consistent airflow
- The most efficient vent system
- Blends in with your ridge for a seamless look
Cons:
- Can be difficult to install
- If any part of your roof’s ridge is damaged, it could compromise your vent system
Off Ridge Vents
Off ridge vents are actually more similar to box vents in that they simply sit among your shingles rather than the ridge itself. However, they look similar and function similarly to a classic ridge vent.
Unlike ridge vents that facilitate vertical exhaust, off ridge vents may not be as effective in expelling hot air from the attic.
Off ridge vents are not nearly as popular as other exhaust vent types, particularly because they are smaller and not as efficient. They do work well for roofs that don’t have a long ridgeline and want something more aesthetically pleasing than a box vent. Consider installing off ridge vents if these pros and cons work for you:
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Can be placed anywhere on your roof
Cons:
- Less efficient than other options
- It may not be as durable
- Not ideal for areas with a lot of hot air to expel
Box Vents
Box vents are probably what you’re familiar with when you think of what an exhaust vent on a roof looks like. They’re quite common, but not as aesthetically pleasing as the last two types we’ve mentioned.
Box vents are great for getting rid of hot air quickly, but they can be less efficient than other types of vents. They are often installed every few feet, near the ridge but not on it. They can come in many different colors to match your shingles and always have a thicker base with flashing to ensure no leaks.
Pros:
- Can be strategically placed where you need them most
- Can be colored to match your roofing colors
- Ideal for more complex roof shapes with many valleys and fewer ridges
Cons:
- Smaller in size (18 x 18 inches) and can’t as quickly release hot air
- Susceptible to cracks and damage from hail or high winds
Electric-Powered Vents
These hard-wired vents add a boost of ventilation power to your roof. These powered vents don’t need the wind to help pull stale or moist air out of your attic. They can do it consistently or when you need it most such as during the humid summers. These powered vents rely on power vent motors to extract hot air from the attic.
A downfall of these is that they can be powerful enough to pull conditioned or heated air in your home or business up and out of your home—driving up energy costs. So if you’re considering this option, think about how much power you need or want in your exhaust vents. Additionally, the increased reliance on powered vents can lead to higher energy bills due to the extended use of air conditioners.
Pros:
- You can ventilate your attic when you need to
- Don’t need a windy day to ventilate
Cons:
- Can produce more power than needed
- Can drive energy costs up by pulling out heated or cooled air from your home’s interior
- Also, drive energy costs up by running off your home’s electricity
- If it breaks it’s not an immediate fix
Solar Powered Vents
Solar-powered vents are the way of the future. They can require less energy costs (nearly $0) to power them and should essentially be in the ideal position to gather the proper amount of solar energy to run. These vents are equipped with solar panels that harness solar energy to power the ventilation system, reducing electricity costs.
They are definitely the most expensive type of roof vents you could probably get, and it can be tough to manage how efficiently they work. Despite their low cost to run vs. the hard-wired types, they share the same issue with being either way too powerful or not powerful enough.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient
- Cheaper than hard-wired models
Cons:
- Can be too powerful and draw out too much air
- If they can’t charge, they can’t run
Roof Turbines (Wind Powered)
Roof turbines are one of the most common types of exhaust vents. They rely on the wind to help spin a turbine that will help pull air out of your attic. Also known as whirlybird vents, these devices rely on wind to spin the turbine and facilitate attic ventilation.
The downfall with these is that if there’s no wind, then they can’t function. Additionally, if there’s too much wind, they can sometimes break or come loose by spinning far too quickly.
Pros:
- They’re common and easy to find
- Help reduce moisture and heat in your attic
Cons:
- Need wind to function
- Too much wind can break or tear them off your roof
Cupola Vents
Cupola vents are a great option if you’re wanting to add some curb appeal to your home. They often come in many different shapes and sizes and can be a real eye-catcher on top of your home. Some cupola vents are designed with wooden louvers to protect against the elements while allowing for ventilation and light.
The downfall with these is that they can be expensive, starting at around $1,000. Additionally, they require more maintenance than other types of vents and can be difficult to install.
Pros:
- Offer great curb appeal
- Can increase the value of your home
Cons:
- Expensive
- Require more maintenance than other types of vents
- Difficult to install
- Birds may often make nests in them, blocking airflow
What About Intake Vents? 4 Types That Ensure Proper Air Flow
Pulling out the air of your attic via an exhaust vent is one thing, but intake vents are also vital to 1) create that airflow and 2) bring in fresh air after the stale air is taken out. Proper airflow is essential for maintaining balanced attic ventilation and preventing moisture issues. Intake vents include:
- soffit vents
- gable vents
- fascia vents
- drip edge vents
Continuous soffit vents run the full length of the roof’s eaves, allowing significant airflow into the attic, while over fascia vents are a modern solution for roofs lacking adequate eave space.
Ventilation Maintenance for Your Roofing System
Regular maintenance is essential for ensuring that the roof ventilation system is working properly. This includes inspecting the vents for damage, cleaning out debris, and ensuring that the vents are not blocked. It is also important to ensure that the ventilation system is balanced, with the correct ratio of intake to exhaust vents.
A balanced ventilation system is essential for ensuring that the attic space is properly ventilated, and that the roof is protected from damage. Additionally, regular maintenance can help to identify any issues with the ventilation system, such as leaks or damage to the vents, and address them before they become major problems.
By properly maintaining the roof ventilation system, homeowners can help to ensure that their home remains healthy, energy-efficient, and protected from damage. Regular inspections and maintenance can also help to extend the lifespan of the roof, reduce energy bills, and prevent issues such as ice dams, mold, and mildew.
How to Get the Right Roofing Vents Installed On Your Home
A professional roofer is your best option for getting the right kind of vents and the proper installation you need to prolong and enhance the life of your roof. Proper installation of roof vents involves careful consideration of roof penetrations to ensure effective ventilation and prevent leaks. A good roofer can choose the right vent with the right colors and installation techniques. Northface Construction can make sure it gets done right.
If you’re experiencing issues with excessive moisture in your attic, or higher than usual energy bills, there could be an issue with your roofing vents! Call Northface Construction today to ensure your roof is properly ventilated once and for all.
