Ventilation helps ensure that your roof is able to maintain its structural integrity. The best venting system will also include attic ventilation. Air enters your attic via the soffits and all vents will let this air pass through the top portion of your roof. This process removes condensation and moisture from the attic and roof before it can damage your home or roof. All types of roof venting are either passive or powered, but there are a few different varieties of roof venting. The best system for you will depend on your particular roof.
Slant Back Vents
Perhaps the most common type of passive roof vent is a low profile slant back, which you may also hear called a louvered vent. They have a low profile and include a slant-back design to prevent rain and weather from getting inside. They tend to be made from galvanized steel or aluminum. The installation is typically easy since the holes are already drilled in the vent. When using low profile vents on your roof, you will need several of them depending on the size of your attic. They usually sit by the back of your roof to reduce the unsightly appearance and you can sometimes even match their color to your home.
Ridge Vents
A ridge vent runs along the full length of your roof ridge and is another type of passive vent. These look very similar to the average roof singles, giving them a cosmetic benefit over other types of venting. In addition to their appearance, ridge vents also help balance air flow better than other types of venting systems. As with most other vents, the design of a ridge vent ensures that insects and birds cannot enter. I would rate this as the best venting system you could have on a roof.
Turbine Vents
Another type of passive vent is a roof turbine vent, which is also called a roof exhaust fan or metal pot vent. These are large with rotating blades, allowing them to remove massive amounts of air if there is wind. Just 5 mph can let this vent remove over 300 cubic feet of air from the attic each minute. Due to the strong air flow, soffits must be clear from the insulation so enough air enters the attic. Without this step, the turbine vent would pull air from your home’s interior, which you definitely do not want if you have the A/C or heating on. Turbines are not always an option as they only work with certain roof pitches.
Active Roof Vents
Some people prefer to opt for a powered roof vent, which can be electric or solar-powered. These vents are able to very quickly expel any of the hot air that accumulates in the attic and makes your air conditioning work harder. Just keep in mind that not everyone is in agreement about using active roof vents. That is because the force pulling air can be strong enough to pull heated or cooled air out of your home unless the ceiling is perfectly sealed. If your ceiling is tightly sealed, a powered vent would work, but not be necessary since the air within your attic should not impact your home’s A/C or heating anyway.
For more information on the various types of vents for your roof or assistance choosing the best venting system for your roof, contact Transcendent Roofing.