After talking about roof vents all month, we thought it would be a good idea to go over the different roof ventilation options out there. Every house is different and there isn’t a single type of roof vent that works perfectly for every home. It is important for every home to have a properly vented roof, though. Some benefits of having roof vents include:
While there are a few different roof ventilation types available, the three main categories are intake, exhaust, and flappers.
Intake vents allow outside air into your attic or other ventilation spaces. The main types of intake vents we install are bird blocks, edge vents, or smart intake vents.
Bird blocks: These are also known as soffit vents because the vents are located underneath the eaves of your roof. This is only possible if your home has soffits, as some older houses don’t have them at all.
Edge vents: Some homes may not have room for bird blocks underneath their eaves, so an edge vent is the next best solution. Edge vents attach at the lower edge of your roof.
Smart vents: Smart vents combine ridge and soffit venting and are usually installed underneath the first layer of shingles at the edge of your roof. It’s most ideal to install when you’re installing a new roof or replacing an old one.
Intake vents work best when they are paired with exhaust vents. Exhaust vents are what direct airflow from the inside out. Common types of exhaust vents include ridge vents, box vents, and electric attic fans. We do not recommend electric attic fans because they can end up pulling air in from your exhaust vents instead of your intake vents.
Ridge vents: Ridge vents are a popular choice when it comes to exhaust vents because they allow continuous airflow and blend in seamlessly with your roof. They are installed underneath your roof’s ridge cap. These are the way to go if you are installing a brand new roof but are not easy to retrofit on existing roofs.
Box vents: Box vents are more visible on your roof than ridge vents but are easier to install on an existing roof. These are cuts in your roof that have a cover over them. You will need multiple box vents, depending on the size of your home, to ensure proper air exhaustion. Otherwise, your roof may be underventilated.
Flappers are dedicated exhaust vents, usually for bathrooms and kitchens. They only open when you turn on the fan switch so air won’t circulate between your other roof vents. Flappers help exhaust the air from high-moisture rooms out of your attic to prevent mold, mildew, and rot.
Some homes don’t have any ventilation at all when they need it. Other homes might have a few vents installed, but not enough to facilitate adequate airflow. Call IBEX Roof today at 360-218-3104 if you need guidance over different roof ventilation options for your home.
