10 Common Types of Roof Vents for Your Home

If you examine roof vents on different homes, you’ll likely notice several types of roof vents. Roofing companies install these vents to control air circulation in the house’s attic and extend the roof’s lifespan.

Homeowners and builders have many options regarding what ventilation system to use. This article will review some of the most common types of roof vents.

Do you need a new attic ventilation system or a roof inspection following a Minnesota storm? Elite Remodeling Services provides reliable roofing services to Farmington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Lakeville. Call 952-646-2480 today.

Four Common Types of Intake Vents

Roofing systems often feature two types of vents: one that pulls air into the attic and one that pushes air out. Effective attic ventilation systems use the proper kind of vent for the roof type and design. Let’s look at the four most common types of intake vents:

1. Soffit Intake Vents

Contractors install this type of vent on soffit boards on the underside of the roof’s eaves. Many homes use soffit intake vents because they efficiently pull cool air into the attic without letting in potentially damaging water or bugs.

2. Over-fascia Intake Vents

Builders may use over-fascia intakes if the home has shallow roof eaves that don’t accommodate soffit intake vents. These types of roof vents sit at the top of fascia boards, above rain gutters but below the roof shingles, creating about half an inch of space for airflow.

3. Drip Edge Intake Vents

Roofers also install drip edge vents on roofs where soffit vents don’t fit or don’t provide enough ventilation. Vent holes are drilled into the drip edge material, allowing airflow into the attic.

4. Gable Intake Vents

If you own an older house, your attic may use gable vents to pull in air from outside. These static roof vents sit on the attic’s exterior walls beneath the roof eaves. If your home has a gable intake vent, it likely has a gable exhaust vent on the opposite wall. These ventilation systems use cross-breezes to ventilate attic spaces.

Six Common Types of Exhaust Vents

While intake vents pull cool air in, exhaust vents direct hot air out of the attic from higher points on the roof. Let’s discuss the four most common types:

1. Ridge Exhaust Vents

Ridge exhaust vents line the roof’s highest point and allow hot air to escape from the attic along the ridgeline. Modern versions of this roof vent add extra strength to the ridgeline and help prevent snow and ice buildup that could block the vents.

2. Hip Exhaust Vents

Homes with limited ridge lines may use hip exhaust vents. These vents function like ridge vents but are installed on hip roofs. Some roof styles accommodate both ridge and hip exhaust vents.

3. Turbine Exhaust Vents

Turbine attic ventilators (often called whirlybirds) use wind power to vent air out of attics. Wind speeds at or above 5 miles per hour spin the turbine blades, which pull air up and out. Although a very green option, turbine vents don’t function well on windless days.

4. Box Exhaust Vents

Box vents, also known as louver vents, are a common alternative to ridge exhaust vents. These types of roof vents let air out but don’t let in water, insects, or debris. A single roof may need several box exhaust vents for adequate ventilation.

5. Powered Roof-Mounted Exhaust Vents

Some exhaust vents use powered fans to remove air from the attic, whether they’re hardwired into the home’s electricity or installed with solar power.

6. Powered Gable-Mounted Exhaust Vents

Modern gable-mounted exhaust vents use fans to push air out of the attic more efficiently. Unlike static (passive) gable vents, these use power to move the air.

Roof Ventilation Services in the South Metro Area

If your roof ventilation system doesn’t provide the airflow you need to keep your home comfortable and protect the life of your roof, explore other types of roof vents with our team of experts. Elite Remodeling Services can help you choose the best ventilation system for your home and properly install your new roof vents.

We serve customers throughout Farmington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Lakeville, MN. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll begin by scheduling your free estimate. Call 952-646-2480 or fill out our simple online contact form.