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Best Roof Vents for Houses

Best Roof Vents for Houses

Why Proper Roof Ventilation Is Essential

With winter receding and warmer weather on the way, many homeowners are thinking about home maintenance, energy costs, AC usage, and similar concerns. A key item often overlooked is having an effective roof ventilation system. Poor ventilation can lead to issues like mold, mildew, and moisture buildup in attic spaces and crawl areas. Having an effective roof ventilation system is key  and sometimes you may need professional roof installation or upgrade to ensure vents are properly placed, sealed, and in compliance with code.

How Roof Vents Work: Intake & Exhaust

Roof vents come in two main types, both essential for a healthy roof system:

  • Intake vents allow cool air to enter the attic space. Placed low (usually in soffits or eaves), they help drive warm, moist air up and out.

  • Exhaust vents allow that heated, moist air to escape. These are placed higher up on the roof to pull the heat and moisture out naturally. Common examples include ridge vents and powered exhaust vents.

 

Key Roof Vent Types

Here are some common roof vent options homeowners typically choose from:

  • Ridge Vents – Long runs that span roof peaks; provide continuous ventilation along roof ridges.

  • Wind Turbines (“Whirlybirds”) – Passive vents turned by wind; they help draw moist air out.

  • Power Vents – Mechanically powered (electric or solar) vents, sometimes with thermostats. Useful in situations where passive ventilation isn’t sufficient.

  • Box Vents – Low profile, simple exhaust vents. Often need multiples to ventilate a large attic.

  • Gable Vents – Installed in gable ends of homes; sometimes used with attic fans for enhanced air flow.

 

How Much Ventilation Is Needed

Building standards recommend:

  • About 1 square foot of venting per 300 square feet of attic space when both intake and exhaust are present.

  • If only one vent type is used, more ventilation may be required (often 1 square foot per 150 square feet of attic).

  • Ideally, venting should be split evenly between intake and exhaust to create consistent airflow.

These guidelines assume that half of the ventilation openings are in the lower half of an attic, generally in soffit vents. The other half are typically situated at or near the ridge. If a roof has no ridge vents and only soffit vents where the roof meets the siding, most jurisdictions require 1 square foot of net free ventilation area for every 150 square feet of attic floor area.

 

Benefits of Good Roof Venting

  • Keeps attics cooler in summer, reducing energy bills.

  • Prevents winter ice dams by controlling roof surface temperature.

  • Extends the lifespan of shingles and roofing materials.

  • Protects indoor air quality by reducing moisture, mold, and mildew.

Proper ventilation can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In addition, good airflow and attic ventilation can help ensure a longer lifespan for your roof. Roof vents, besides increasing airflow, also eliminate moisture allowing in cool, dry air, while expelling hot air and moist air.

 

Finding the Right Vent System for Your Home

The best venting solution depends on your roof design, attic size, insulation, and local climate. Consulting a roofing professional can help determine the ideal system to keep your home efficient and your roof protected for years to come. A professional roofer can assess the specific needs of individual homes. But in general, intake vents allow cool air to enter an attic and help push out hot air, freshening the space and decreasing air temperature. Intake vents can be placed in one or more areas.

If your attic isn’t vented properly, moisture can build up and lead to mold, energy loss, or even damage to roofing materials. Many homeowners that schedule roof maintenance in Lakewood address ventilation issues before they worsen — things like blocked vents, damaged soffits, or inadequate ridge venting.

 

A professional roofing contractor can be helpful to identify the appropriate ventilation system for your home.  And for more myth-busting and to learn what really matters when planning attic airflow, see our post: Three Common Tacoma Attic Ventilation Myths. It clears up misconceptions about whether you only need vents in warm climates, or whether more ventilation automatically means better performance.

For more information about venting or other roofing services, contact us!

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