Proper ventilation is critical to the longevity of your roof, especially with the summertime heat. But with so many choices, how do you select the appropriate roof vents for your home?
We want you to have the information necessary to make the best decisions for your new roof. By the end of this article, you’ll be more knowledgeable about roofing ventilation systems and feel confident selecting the right products for your home.
Why is Attic Ventilation Important?
Your roof’s ventilation system allows hot air to escape and keeps your attic from reaching damaging temperatures. During summer, rising hot air can cause attics to easily reach 170+ Fahrenheit. Sweltering temperatures can cause dry wood rot on your roof’s decking – warping the most foundational sheets of plywood supporting your roof.
Types of Roof Vents
Proper ventilation functions by bringing fresh, cool air into your attic and dispelling hot air through vents on the top of your roof. There are two types of ventilation systems – passive and active. There are several vent options available within each system. Customers may select roof vents based on appearance, cost, and/or maintenance.
Passive Ventilation Vents 
Passive ventilation works… well, passively. Air moves within this system based on natural forces. Vents are placed near the highest point on the roof to take advantage of wind movement and heat buoyancy. Cool air enters your home’s soffits, pushing out naturally rising hot air through the vents. Passive ventilation works without expending any energy – making it the green choice.
Types of vents that utilize passive ventilation include:
- Box vents (or turtle vents): Box vents get their name from their box-like appearance. They come in standard colors like black, brown, and clay. While box vents are less expensive than ridge vents, multiple box vents are required along the roof to achieve the temperature control given by a ridge vent installation. Box vents may be the best option for homes with a lower roof pitch or limited usable ridges.
- Turbines Vents: Turbines can be active (running on solar energy or electricity) or passive (relying on natural forces). Passive turbines use wind passing over your rooftop to drive the movement of the turbine. It draws air up and outward from your attic space. Outfitting a home with turbine vents can be comparable to ridge vents. However, depending on your home’s size and required ventilation, either choice could be cheaper. Turbines are the most visually intrusive vent option compared to ridge and box vents. If you want your roof to have a more subtle appearance, a turbine vent may not be suitable for your home. Also, it is essential to note that the bearings in the vent can wear out over time, reducing or even preventing the vent from turning altogether. This is why turbine vents should be inspected regularly to ensure they are spinning correctly.
Active Ventilation
Active ventilation removes hot air from your attic using mechanical force. These systems cost more than passive vents because they require a motor and energy, either solar or electric, to operate.
Ridge Vents: Ridge vents don’t have motors, but they qualify as active ventilation because they use natural airflow outside the home to pull air from the attic. Installed along the peak of your roof, ridge vents are covered with matching shingles, blending seamlessly with your roofline. They offer efficiency, low maintenance, and a subtle appearance. Ridge vents may not suit every home; older houses might need updates to work properly. They are pricier than box vents, but one 40-foot ridge vent can outperform roughly 18 box vents on an average roof.
Solar-Powered Vents: These vents use a solar panel to power a fan. While they save energy, they stop working when the battery requires charging. Solar-powered systems are larger and more expensive than other vent options.
Power Vents: Installed near the roof’s peak, power vents use electricity to pull hot air from the attic. Typically low-profile and circular, they work well to expel heat. However, their motors can fail over time, so regular maintenance is essential.
Choosing the right active ventilation depends on your home, budget, and maintenance preferences. Ridge vents provide a subtle and effective solution, solar-powered vents offer energy savings but higher costs, and power vents deliver reliable airflow with proper upkeep.
ROI
Ventilation is critical to your new roof. In our experience replacing thousands of roofs in the central Kentucky area, we’ve dealt with many different types of roofs and ventilation systems. Rest assured knowing that your new roofing project has a 100% return on investment (according to this 2022 National Association of Realtors Report) and is backed by our 10-year craftsmanship warranty.
We want to provide our customers with a best-in-class experience. Our Learning Center contains articles addressing every aspect of your new roof replacement, so you can feel confident making your roofing purchase. Ready to get started? Contact us today!
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