What Type of Vents Do You Need?

Figured out that you need ventilation and now you don’t know what types of vent are best for your home?

Well, you have come to the right place to learn more about the types of vents might be right for you and your home!

As you walk or drive around your neighborhood you may notice a variety of vents on the roofs. All of these roof vents operate to vent the exhaust out of your attic and roof. Roof vents exist in a variety of sizes and shapes, but they all serve the same purpose: they allow your house to breathe properly.

For the past 30 years, the staff at Roof Rescue has provided assistance to San Antonio residents with their roof vents and attic ventilation systems. We collaborate with you to identify the best roof vent for your needs while maintaining your budget. Additionally, our Overhead Care Club will give you piece of mind in the event that an issue arises with a roof vent we have installed.

What is Attic Ventilation?

 Your home can breathe thanks to the ventilation system that is made up of intake and exhaust. It functions by moving fresh air into your attic and allowing heat to properly exit through your vents.

Attic ventilation systems function in two ways: passive and active. Air is pushed out from the interior and drawn in from the outside via active ventilation. Passive ventilation uses natural forces like the wind to move the air in the attic.

Both types of vents can be efficient when intake and exhaust are properly balanced. However, depending on size of your home, the climate in your area and your aesthetic choices certain types of vents may be better suited for your home.

Types of Active Attic Ventilation (aka Types of Exhaust Vents)

 

1. Turbine Vents

Turbine vents, are exhaust vents commonly referred to as whirly birds, move the air in your attic even when there is no wind by creating a pulling effect through convection (heat rising). The air in your attic is moved about 10–12 times per hour if this type of vent is placed correctly.

There is a myth that rain, snow, and insects can enter your home through turbine vents because they have slats on them and are open-aired to the attic. They are made, though, such that until the vent is destroyed, none of this happens.

 

2. Power Vents

This type of vent is very common. All Power Vents have circular power exhaust vents with extremely low profiles.

Power vents are put in close to the ridge (top) of the roof and draw the hot air from the attic using electricity. You should use a humidistat to control the power vents throughout the winter.

In the absence of this, condensation will form in your attic, shortening the life of your roof. Power vent motors frequently malfunction, so be ready to replace them at some point.

 

3. Solar Power Vents

Similar to power vents, solar powered vents get their energy from the sun.

From an energy conservation perspective, these vents make sense, but they turn off when the solar-powered battery is recharging.

Furthermore, as a consequence the power required to run the motor, the solar panel can’t sustain a charge long enough to run this type of exhaust vent continuously. As a result, your air conditioner may operate longer while the battery is charged, increasing your energy costs.

 

4. Ridge Vents

This type of exhaust vent is a fantastic low profile option! The length of the roof’s ridge is carved into to create ridge vents.

Due to the fact that they are not visible from the ground, this form of vent is popular. Insects, trash, rain, and snow can enter the attic if the vent doesn’t have a filter, despite the fact that they are very common.

A ridge vent is a passive exhaust vent if it doesn’t have a baffle (chute that creates a channel for air to flow through) to assist in moving air through your attic.

 

Types of Passive Attic Ventilation

 

Passive vents circulate air through your attic using natural forces like convection and wind. These vents are essentially maintenance-free, silent, and free of moving parts.

Static, ridge vents without a baffle, and gable end vents are the typical styles of passive roof vents.

 

5. Static Vents

The static vents on your roof resemble small boxes.

In order for them to function, heat must be allowed to convect out of the roof. This implies that the hot air is forced out of the vents when the temperature in the attic rises. Static vents may also be referred to as box vents or turtle vents.

 

6. Ridge Vents Without a baffle

Ridge vents are into the ridge and extends the entire length of the ridge, just as the active variation of this type of roof vent. The absence of a baffle, a chute that provides an air channel for air flow is the only distinction.

Without a baffle, ridge vents have the drawback of allowing trash, snow, rain, insects, etc. to enter your attic.

 

7. Gable Vents

The junction of the two slopes of your roof is where a gable end vent is built on the exterior wall of your attic. To flow air into and out of your attic, this vent depends on wind from the outside.

Now you know all the types of vents! Ready to install and protect your biggest investment?

The staff at Roof Rescue has been assisting local San Antonio homes with all things roofing for the past 30 years, even something as crucial as attic ventilation. As a result of this, appropriate ventilation is one of the first things we look for during an examination. We are passionate about keeping you safe and saving you money. If you care about those things as well, you are in good company!

The type of vent you select will depend on the existing ventilation system and the look you want to achieve.

However, a crucial factor is that your attic is properly aired, regardless of the type of vent you need. If it isn’t, it will cause a lot of expensive issues and hassles in the future.

In addition, it is critical to understand the significance of good attic ventilation for both your roof and your home. We have already broken it down for you because it’s so crucial.