What Are Roof Vents And Why Does Your Home Need Them

Every home has a roof vent and for good reason. When you walk through your neighborhood, you’ll notice a variety of different things on or sticking out of the roof of each home. These all are there for a reason and it’s to help your home function the way it is supposed to. Having the correct roof vent also helps to lower your home’s overall energy bills and save you money. This article will go over different types of roof vents and which ones are best for your home. Before we continue on, there is one important question that should be answered first.

What is a roof vent?

Essentially, a roof vent is a system that promotes airflow through the attic. There are various benefits to having a roof vent such as regulating indoor temperatures and even extending the life of your roof.

Roof vents are very necessary to have. Without them, your attic will most likely be left at a high temperature which can lead to shingle damage and more. The airflow provided by roof vents helps eliminate moisture that would otherwise build up in the attic and cause damage to your home.

Why heat build-up in your attic is bad

Without a proper ventilation system in the palace, attic temperatures can exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Roof vents help address these problems in making spaces for heat and moisture to enter. Electric, solar, and wind ventilation can push warm air from the attic space while also pulling cooler air through ventilation vents around the roofing soffits. It is important to lower the temperature of your attack and to learn about various types of roof vents and their unique features.

When it comes to attic ventilation, there are two types, active and passive. Active ventilation pulls air from the outdoors and pushes it out from inside. Passive ventilation is the way air passes through the attic and is propagated by natural sources. Two ventilation systems have jobs, and one is not worse than the other. Without proper ventilation, your home is prone to problems like issues with heat.

Different types of intake vents

Most houses in the United States have soffit vents built into their roofs. The soffit typically lies at the bottom of the roof which is the ideal location for fresh air to penetrate into the attic. Intake vents are often best paired with exhaust vents that are often located at a roof’s peak.

Different types of roof vents

Roof vents move both cold and humid air from the attic or roof space to help cool things down. There are many different types of roof vents available, but they all share the same purpose. There are many advantages to using a roof vent for your home. Which vent you choose may depend on a number of factors, such as what material your roof is made of, the climate of the area you live in, the size of your roof, and the pitch and slope of your roof or attic. Each vent allows air to flow in specific ways providing a cooling effect during summer months and cold during the winter. The benefits of roof venting range from chilling to cooling the roof. When it comes to the costs of roof vents, it really depends upon the type of roof you have specifically. It’s important to be sure you have the best roof vent for your type of home which will help both preserve your roof and house, as well as potentially save you money.

Choosing the correct roof vent for your home

We know that roof vents are important and beneficial to all homes, but as mentioned before, there are many different types. Here are some different types of vents that could potentially be a match for your home and some information about them. If you are unsure about which roof vent would work best for your home or would like a second opinion, we at Liberty Roofworks would be happy to help! Contact us at any time with any questions you may have.

What are some of the best roof vent options?

Powered vents

A powered vent is typically loud with its sounds buffered only by building materials and insulation. The installation of a powered vent can be complicated at times and will require electric knowledge if power is unavailable. Most new solar dividers enable the use of battery-operated vents if they do not have the power for energy. It has many moving parts which make such ventilation more susceptible if the unit was to break apart. This is why routine cleaning is important with this type of vent. Routine cleaning helps with monitoring the proper functioning of the fans and ensuring everything is working as it should. If you are a light sleeper, this vent may not be best for you. Sometimes when powered vents start-up late at night in warmer regions it can be a bit loud.

Louver Vents

Louver vents make use of static louvers which must be distributed at an optimal position. Some models of these vents are square while others are more rounded which allows for a limit on aesthetic choices. These vents sit lower than roof turbines which makes them less visible but still easy to find. These vents are cheaper than others, the installation cost may increase depending on how many vents you need and how good your intake is. They are definitely an ideal home improvement project since they are inexpensive to install and can fit into almost any existing static vent. However, they are less efficient than ridge vents and their visibility can make it a less attractive choice for your home aesthetically.

Soffit Vents

Soffit vents are best used in conjunction with ridge vents. Soffit vents take their name from the part of the roof where they are placed. The vent alone is visible to the naked eye which is hard to spot at times. Soffit venters are often continuous or have a square or even rectangular panels which helps add to the versatility. Soffit vents are typically made of PVC or aluminum. These devices may also be used to help trap humidity in the rain while preventing moisture from escaping.

Box Vents

Box cents are not supplied by electric power and they are perfect for open plan attics. A perfect combination for ventilation is also provided under the intake vent. Box vents are typically the most popular combination of both an exhaust vent and a soffit intake vent for smaller attic spaces.

Static Exhaust Vents

There are three types of static exhaust vents and those are ridge vents, hip vents, and roof louvers. These types of vents can be installed rather easily to the best part of the roof which is either the roof summit or roof peak. Hip vent systems are similar in design as well as in function. They aid in ventilating homes with hip roof systems with very little to no ridge area. Roof louvers can also provide a venting option for more contemporary roof designs such as hip roofs and smaller roof areas along with those with limited roof heights. They can be placed on existing roofs or new ones and can be equipped with multiple vents for the proper amount of exhaust ventilation.

Ridge Vents

Ridge vents are built on the summit of a roof and are covered with shingles. They do not contain any moving parts and must be paired with the intake vents to operate correctly. Unlike other kinds of vents, ridge vents will not create warm or cold areas on your roof. You should not try installing a ridge vent as a DIY project since it is very difficult and they may not work correctly or be as cost-effective. Some contractors will try to run the vent only partially through the roof but will lower or even negate its function. Due to these difficulties, ridge vents may not be appropriate for your home even if they are usually the most effective option.

Off Ridge Vent

Off ridge vents are static vents that are installed under holes in the roof near the edge. These ventilations permit heat and moisture to escape the attic but are not nearly as effective as other roofing vents. Homes typically need several of these units for the best results. Off ridge vents are similar to box vents but are not square.

Which is better, ridge vents or box vents?

Both of these vents are rather popular options, but which one is better? Ridge vents are often the preferred type of roof ventilation amongst roofers and homeowners. Ridge vents are easier to install and often provide the best amount of airflow. Overall, ridge vents tend to be more efficient and are definitely worth considering when choosing a roof vent for your home.