Roof Ventilation: Types, Pros, and Cons

Installing ventilation on the roof is the most basic and important part of the house. Hot air and moisture in the house are taken out through the ventilation system. On the other hand, roof ventilation is necessary to maintain a temperature level inside your home. As ventilation can be done according to the suitable architectural style, design of the roof, and local climate conditions. The roof vent is divided into two categories which are named as

1. Exhaust roof ventilation

2. Intake roof ventilation

Exhaust Roof Ventilation

These types of ventilation are used to remove condensation, hot air, and also lower the rising temperature inside the house. Type of exhaust roof ventilation is

• Ridge Roof Ventilation

Ridge roof ventilation exhausts are installed on the top of the roofs. These exhausts are placed at the prime position from where they can let the hot air leave your attic space. These exhausts are also feasible to expel a large amount of hot air from your house.

• Box Vent Exhaust Ventilation

Box exhaust ventilation is similar to the off-ridge ventilation as these are also installed on the top of the roof. These box vents are installed by making a space in the roof where they will fit accurately. Although, using one or two box exhausts is not enough for a better ventilation system, so these are installed one after another by maintaining a gap between them for a better ventilation system.

• Solar Powered Exhaust Ventilation

This type of exhaust usually works on solar power and makes 0% charge for your electricity. A small solar plate is installed on the top of these exhaust surfaces from where they get power to perform exhaust ventilation in your home.

• Roof Turbines Exhaust Ventilation

The roof turbine's exhaust works on the mechanism of a windmill. These turbines have aluminum blades that get active when air having a speed of 5 to 6 miles per house get passed through it. These blades pull out the hot air from the attic to the outside of the house.

Intake Roof Ventilation

This type of roof ventilation is used to bring fresh and new air inside your home. Without having an intake roof ventilation is not useful for exhaust roof ventilation. The type of intake roof ventilation is

• Soffit Roof Ventilation

These roof ventilations are installed directly underneath your roof lines. Soffit roof ventilation is considered the most suitable ventilation for air intake. As it provides fresh air inside the home which maintains the level of exhaust and intake roof ventilation.

• Gable Roof Ventilation

These roofs are a little bit old as they are installed on the front of the backside of your home. Roofs having a complex style is not feasible for installing gable roof vents. These are connected to the attic directly from where they bring the fresh air inside of your home.

• Drip Edge Roof Vent

These roof vents are installed below the first layer of shingle. These drip edge roof vents contain small drip holes from where fresh air can easily make it into the home. These are also designed to drain roof water into gutters.

Roof Ventilation Options

Having proper roof ventilation is necessary for a healthy environment inside of your home. Roof ventilation or attic ventilation is a system that allows your home to breathe in and out. This system works by pulling fresh air through attic vents and making hot air escape through exhaust vents. While you are planning to install a new roof ventilation system then you must consider these options:

• Static Roof Ventilation

• Turbine Roof Ventilation

• Power Vents Roof Ventilation

• Moving Vents Roof Ventilation

• Electric Vents Roof Ventilation

Static Roof Ventilation

As the word, static describes no movement. Static roof ventilation is a type of box that is fixed on the roof for having exhaust ventilation. The static vent works on the mechanism of the convection method. As the temperature inside the house rises then the hot air is pushed out through the vents. The installation of a static vent is a very low-cost budget. As it looks like a simple box shape vent placed on the rooftop.

Turbine Roof Ventilation

Turbine vents also work on the convection mechanism. As the name speaks turbine vent brings 10-12 times per hour fresh air inside your home. These vents can sustain in every bad weather condition like heavy rain or snow and also prevents insects from entering the house.

Power Vents Roof Ventilation

These vents are of the circle shape and are installed near the roof ridge. These vents use electrical power to move the humidity out of your attic into the open air. However, in the winter season, you have to run these vents through a humidistat. If these vents are not properly used, then they can cause humidity to remain inside your attic which might affect your roof lifespan. Regular maintenance of the power vent motor is required for a better ventilation system.

Moving Vent Roof Ventilation

This type of roof vent works by combining both electric and solar power to move out the hot air from your home and bring in fresh air to keep the temperature low. The damaged moving vent is not feasible for a proper ventilation system. So, regular maintenance is required to get proper ventilation.

Electric Vent Roof Ventilation

Electric vent roofs are used to remove a large volume of moisture, and humid air from the attic. These are powered by solar, and electric motors commonly known as the hybrid motor which provides extreme hot air flow out of the house. Most of the electric motors are controlled by a thermostat.

 

Best Roof Ventilation Methods

As there are several methods of getting perfect roof ventilation to be installed at your home. These methods depend according to your budget plan or roof ventilation system cost. The method includes a checklist that confirms the perfect time for getting roof ventilation installed. Some of the best methods for roof ventilation are listed below

1. Installing Active Roof Vents

By installing active roof vents, you can enjoy a healthy life as these vents execute the hot and harmful air particles out of the house by bringing breathable fresh air in the house. These types of vents include solar-powered attic vents, ridge vents, and cupola vents. Most of these vents are installed on the top of the roof, so as the hot air pressure increases inside the house it is pushed out through these vents to maintain a particular and exact temperature inside the house. The major function of these vents is to remove out the unnecessary hot and condensed air out of your house.

2. Installing Passive Roof Vents

After installing an active roof vent for removing hot air from the house, the second step is installing a passive roof vent system that will bring fresh air inside your home. These roof vents include turbine vents, roof turbines, and gable end vents. These can be installed depending on the type of your home roof. The passive vents use natural forces like wind and convection force to bring in the fresh air in your home. These vents have no moving parts, they make no noise, and also, they are maintenance-free.

Pros And Cons Of Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation is a system that keeps the atmosphere inside a home comfortable. The system of roof ventilation works on intake and exhaust vents which provide better air circulation. Without roof ventilation, hot air will get trapped inside your home and will cause damages and several problems to your property including damage to the structure of your home. The roof ventilation system has different pros and cons. Some of them are mentioned below:

Pros Of Roof Ventilation

As roof ventilation is a costly and time-consuming project of your home renovation. Before you start your roof ventilation you must know what benefits you will get after installing roof vents on your home roof.

• Roof vents can create a balanced temperature inside your home
• They will make your home look more attractive
• They will allow airflow throughout the attic and home
• These are feasible to reduce air pollution inside your home
• These roof vents can sustain in any weather conditions if they are properly installed

Cons Of Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation works on the system of getting out the hot air and bringing fresh air into your home. Some of the cons of roof ventilation are:

• These vents are not always adequate
• These vents can leak during heavy rains
• These vents can cost more than just simply cutting the roof cap
• Most roof vents do not work properly in warmer climates
• These vents must be installed on the peak of the roof for better air circulation inside your home.

FAQs About Roof Ventilation

The most frequent question which is asked about roof ventilation is that what are the benefits of roof ventilation, are there any cost savings in roof ventilation, and how much roof ventilation is needed to be installed. Below are some other questions which are asked by customers while they are planning for installing a roof ventilation system.

1. Why there is a need for natural roof ventilation?

Roof ventilation is necessary for a house as it removes hot air and condensation by bringing fresh and breathable air inside the house. Natural roof ventilation works on the same mechanism as other roof ventilation systems but it is more environment-friendly, quieter, more efficient, and works effectively by lessening the consumption of energy.

2. Can you make your roof ventilation?

Making roof ventilation can be done by DIY. Installing a static roof ventilation system is feasible for making your roof ventilation.

3. Are ventilation weatherproof?

Some of the ventilation systems like turbine roof ventilation, and soffit vent are weatherproof as they can perform effectively in case of any extreme weather condition.

How To Calculate Roof Ventilation?

By getting help from professionals will make it easy for you to calculate your roof ventilation installation. This calculation includes the correct number of exhaust and intake vents that will be required for a balanced ventilation system.

1. If your home has 4000 square feet of attic then you will need 10 per square ft for proper roof or attic ventilation.

2. To get a balanced ventilation system, half of the ventilation must be intake, and another half must be exhaust.

3. As vents are taken in square inches, so you must convert your roof square feet according to square inches. For example (1sqft = 120 sq inches)

How Does Roof Ventilation Work?

Roof ventilation works by providing a continual flow of fresh air through the attic, removing hot air and condensation (moisture) from attic space, and by reducing the impact of rising or changing temperature conditions inside or outside of the home. The ventilation system includes exhaust and intake vents which are installed on the roof. Getting proper roof ventilation is a tough task. As roof ventilation design will provide plenty of air for insulation and flow under the roof. Thus, it will also balance the intake and exhaust ventilation in the attic space by increasing the lifespan of your roof.

What Is The Best Roof Ventilation System?

The best 7 roof ventilation system includes ridge vent, off ridge vent, box vent, hardwired powered attic vent, solar-powered attic vent, roof turbine vent, and cupola vent system. These are the most commonly used roof ventilation systems because they exhaust the hot air and moisture from the attic space and intake the fresh air in the attic space which balances the inside temperature of the home. These roof ventilation systems will also reduce your electricity cost budget as most of them are operated on natural resources (like wind, solar power), etc.

How Much Ventilation Does A Flat Roof Need?

As flat roof ventilation ensures proper air circulation inside of your home. Having proper flat roof ventilation is necessary to lessen the structural roof damage. For cold flat roofs, proper ventilation is required as it gets a large amount of condensation during the winter. Homes are much warmer during winter which makes hot air to get stick to the flat cold roof and become very moist and which might get worse by the passage of time.

How Much Ventilation Does My Roof Need?

The amount of ventilation required for your roof depends on your roof area. It may vary according to different roof sizes. If your attic area is 300 square feet, then you will need per 1 sq ft of area for installing a roof vent. If your roof attic is 400 sq. ft, then you will require per 3 sq. ft for vent system installation. So, the entire space of the roof is divided equally for installing inlet and exhaust vents.

Why Does A Roof Need Ventilation?

If you have an attic space or an upper floor that is attached to the roof, then ventilation is necessary to balance the correct air conditioning of that area. As in summer, roof ventilation helps to lower the heat temperature and reduce the expansion in metals. In winters, roof ventilation prevents the melting snow to get frozen in your gutter which might create a water leakage and damage to your roof structure.

How To Install Roof Ventilation?

Installing roof ventilation is not a DIY project. As it requires proper tools and professional help for installing a perfect roof vent system. The thing you will require in roof vent installation is a drill, ladder, roof vent, hammer, jigsaw, and pry bar.

The installation can be determined by heading up to the attic and selecting the place where you want to install the vent system. Installation of roof ventilation can be done by

1. Drilling the roof

2. Making a mark of the open area to place vent

3. Using a jigsaw to cut along measured lines.

4. Install vent in that roof space.

5. Hammer every nail on the vent to make it properly fit in the roof.

How To Install Asphalt Shingles Ventilation On The Roof?

The professional installers know exactly how to install an asphalt shingle ventilation in every aspect of roof construction safety. Step to install asphalt shingle vent includes

1. How shingle roof work

2. Preparing deck of roof for asphalt shingle vent install

3. Starting from bottom to up

4. Protection from ice dam at the eave

5. Make underlying for secondary roof protection

6. Filling joints in between the shingle vents

What Type Of Roof Structure Ventilation Is Considered Superior?

The type of roof structure ventilation that is considered superior depends on which type of ventilation is best for your home. Looking for the best vent which will create a balance between exhaust and intake of air is the most superior option for roof ventilation.

How To Increase Roof Ventilation?

A homeowner can simply increase roof ventilation by making a proper checklist before getting roof ventilation installed. This checklist contains the following things

1. Assess your roof vent needs

2. Looking for better options

3. Installing soffit vents

4. Installing gable vents

5. Installing fans to improve airflow

What Is The Formula For Roof Ventilation?

The formula for roof ventilation depends on the size of your roof. If your roof is 350 sq. ft then you must install a roof vent with a gap of every 2 feet to improve the air intake and exhaust in your attic space. And, if your roof is more than 400 sq. ft then a vent must be installed after every 2 sq. ft for better airflow.

How To Add Ventilation To Metal Roofs?

Adding ventilation to your metal roof is not a big issue. Static and ridge ventilation is mostly recommended for the metal roof as they perform proper intake and exhaust of hot air to fresh air efficiently and at low costs.

Which Tool Used In Ventilation Operations, Would Be Best For Sounding The Roof?

Professionals use different tools for ventilation operations which will give you the best sounding roof. The list includes hammer, pike pole, exhausting heat, and smoke, installing natural or mechanical vents, and ensuring better airflow inside your home.

Conclusion

Installing roof ventilation is costly and time-consuming work. Installing a proper ventilation system will move out the hot air, condensation, and humidity from the house and on the same hand will let the fresh air enter the house and maintain a proper living environment. There are many types of roof ventilation options according to your need. This roof ventilation installation depends on the architectural style of the home, design of the roof, and local climate conditions which will be faced after installing them.

Before installing roof ventilation, you must survey the place where you want your ventilation system to get installed. A wide variety of roof vents are available which includes ridge vent, off ridge vent, box vent, roof turbines, gable vent, static vent, power vent, and mechanical vent systems. As most of the house roofs are not feasible for installing a gable vent system. You must also consult with the roof vent installers so they might give you a better idea for your roof vent installation. DIY can be feasible for small roof vent installation but not for large roof vent installation. These professionals are insured so they will protect you against any damage claim to your property while installing a roof ventilation system.