There are many different types of roof ventilation, but what are they and how do they work? In this article, we will walk through the different types of roof exhaust vents.
There are two different types of roof vents:
Exhaust and Intake.
Exhaust vents pull hot air out, and Intake lets cool air in.
Here we will discuss the seven different types of roof exhaust vents.
Proper roof ventilation is important for a few reasons:
Manufacturer Installation Guidelines:
When providing a homeowner with a manufacturer’s warranty, you must be sure to follow their installation guidelines for the roofing system. Within those guidelines, they outline proper roof ventilation. If your roof is not properly vented, they may deny an otherwise covered claim!
Prevent Ice Dams:
Have you ever been driving down the streets of Dayton during the winter and seen large icicles hanging from the roofline of a building? This is caused by the trapped heat in the interior of the attic and the cold surface temperature of the shingles on the exterior. Proper venting can help prevent ice dams from taking place.
Mold Growth:
If your roof is not properly vented, there will be a lot of hot air trapped in your attic, especially during the summertime. With that hot air comes moisture… most homeowners do not frequently visit their attic, which means it is usually dark. What kind of environment is perfect for promoting mold growth? You got it, Moist, dark areas! Mold remediation or abatement is not cheap, so you will want to do anything you can to avoid mold growth.
7 Types of Roof Exhaust Vents
Ridge Vent:
This is the most typical exhaust roof ventilation. This is installed at the peak of your roof and is the most efficient way to release hot air. (This is because heat rises)If you are getting a roof replacement quote, you are likely going to see a ridge vent incorporated. When replacing a roof, once the ridge vent has been installed, we then will install a ridge cap. The ridge cap is a thicker more flexible shingle that bends over and protects the ridge vent. This is especially important in our climate here in Dayton, OH.
Off Ridge Vent:
Off Ridge Vents are typically constructed of galvanized steel and installed lower on the roof. This type of vent is not a viable primary vent, due to its size and lower installation point on your roof. If you have a small peak and can not run a sufficient ridge vent, your contractor may use this as a supplemental venting system.
Box Vents:
Believe it or not, box vents are going to take a square shape! All jokes aside, these are quite proper venting systems. They are typically around 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft. Their small size gives them versatility as to where they can be installed. They are especially useful on roofs with smaller peaks, where sufficient ridge vent can not be installed.
Hard-Wired Powered Attic Vents:
These vents are hardwired as you may have guessed and are electrically propelled, giving the ability to pull hot, stale air out of the attic. They can be effective in pulling out hot air, but do consume a bit of electricity in the process. If using this type of venting system, you must be sure that they have sufficient power to regulate the temperature of the attic!
Solar Powered Attic Vents:
While you will save money on the electric bills, these roof exhaust vent systems face the same challenges as their hard-wired counterparts. For this reason, we would typically advise sticking with a more conventional method of exhaust vents.
Roof Turbines:
This roof exhaust venting system was created in the early 1900s. It requires approximately 5 mph of wind to activate. You can understand why this may be problematic… On those hot summer days here in Dayton, while there is no breeze and high temperatures, your roof will not have a venting source. Ironically, this is when your roof would need its venting the most! For this reason, we pass on roof turbine venting systems.
Cupola Vents:
Cupola vents are not too often seen. They are complex and expensive to install. As far as efficiency, they work similarly to a box vent. One major benefit of the cupola vent is its aesthetic appeal. Their design can really compliment a home’s architecture. If you are going for glam, not efficiency, a cupola vent may be for you!
