Types of Roof Vents

Roof vents provide proper ventilation to equalize temperatures on each side of your roof. Roofing vents work wonders to prevent ice dams during the winter as well as keeping your home a bit cooler in summer months. Anticipate about one square foot for intake, while allowing outtake for several hundred feet of attic space. Learn about the many types of roof vents and consider the best type for your ventilation needs.

Basic Roofing Vents

Basic roofing vents can be placed near ridgelines of roofs in an effort to increase outtake ventilation. These are simple to install and are designed with covers preventing rain seepage. A basic roof vent is installed about two feet apart. This type of roof vent is typically long lasting because it has no mechanical parts to break down.

Wind Turbine Vents

Wind turbine vents are normally installed near the upper portion of the roof at the peak where they ventilate the roof using the wind. This type of roof vent is designed with small wind vanes that catch wind, spin and draw moisture and heat out and away from the house.

Gable Vents

Gable vents are installed in the walls under the end of gable roofs. The outside of a gable vent is louvered while the inside is screened. Gable vents expend humidity and heat from the attic portion of a home. As opposed to other basic vent types, gable vents come in several shapes, styles and colors to accent architectural designs.

Continuous Ridge Vents

Continuous ridge vents are predominately installed in new roofs or homes under construction because they come in 10-foot sections. This form of water-shielded ventilation comes with screening and distributes continuous, even airflow away from the home. They come in assorted colors and are not usually visible from the street.

Soffit Vents

Soffit vents can be purchased in a range of sizes and are used in conjunction with outtake vents. This type of roof vent is installed under the roof overhang and creates air movement in attic space.