For a quick answer: ridge vent is vastly superior to other roof vents when it comes to venting your attic space.
Roof Louvers (aka “Roof Cans”) – Which is Best? The winner by far is a concealed ridge vent over roof louvers. If it fits in your budget I would highly recommend upgrading, as it will not only make your new roof look nicer, it will save you money on cooling in the summer months.
Turbine roof vents are an effective and energy-efficient way to ventilate your roof. Unlike traditional ridge or soffit vents, turbine vents use wind power to spin a turbine fan on the roof, which in turn creates suction that pulls air from the attic.
While ridge vents have many advantages, they are not always ideal. In cold climates, ridge vents can allow snow into the attic. They're also more expensive than box vents and won't work on all types of roofs.
The best method to ventilate an attic is a passive system with low intake vents (at the eave) and high exhaust vents (at the ridge). Add either that your house does not have currently.
It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.
While ridge vents win for their subtle appearance and functionality, turbine vents may be better in especially hot or humid climates where more dynamic airflow is necessary. If you are not sure which to use, consult a roof professional who can examine the needs of your home and draw up a venting plan for you.
Look Out for Flashing
In this case, rain can enter your roof through the vents. As for damage to the vents themselves, old age is a factor. Eventually, certain areas of your roof may be worn down, including the flashing that supports ridge vents. You will likely be unable to predict when your flashing is going to fail.
The truth is, most experts agree that though other roof vents allow some ventilation (which is better than none), ridge vents are the most efficient and cost-effective roof ventilation system around. Our recommendation is yes. Especially if you are installing a new roof, you want to extend its life as long as possible.
Since there are vents on the roof, heat can escape the house naturally. It doesn't have to be vented out like a normal house would, which keeps things cool inside. Not only summers, but ridge vent helps in winter also.
Natural ventilation can generally provide a high ventilation rate more economically, due to the use of natural forces and large openings. Natural ventilation can be more energy efficient, particularly if heating is not required. Well-designed natural ventilation could be used to access higher levels of daylight.
A ridge vent costs between $300 and $650 on average, with most people paying about $500. Your final costs will vary based on the size, type, and number of units you install. A local professional will be able to give you more accurate information in terms of pricing.
Louvers contribute to maintaining a fresh, cool environment within a building. By allowing fresh air to enter and pushing out hot, stale air, they support the HVAC system, creating a more comfortable atmosphere. Keeping air moving is critical to both occupant comfort and building reliability.
Ridge vents work without any power. They're super awesome when paired with soffit vents, creating a cool airflow loop - cool air enters through the soffit vents, and the hot air exits through the ridge vents. Attic fans are a bit different because they actively move hot air out and bring cool air in.
Which type of vent is best for my roof? In most cases, we recommend soffit vents for intake and a ridge vent for exhaust. For homes that cannot have a ridge vent, box vents are generally the second best option for exhaust.
The ridge vent sections should also overlap by about 1 ½ inches. When a shoddy or inexperienced contractor fails to overlap the pieces or doesn't extend the sections enough, the vents will eventually leak.
First, you'll want to consider the size of your attic. The larger the attic, the more vents you'll need to ensure proper ventilation. As a general rule, you should have at least one square foot (144 square inches) of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space.
The average lifespan of a roof vent is about 10-20 years, but the lifespan of your roof vent will depend on a variety of factors. Some factors that will affect the lifespan of your roof vent include the type of roof vent, the material your roof vent is made from, and the care your roof vent receives.
You've likely experienced a roof leak during heavy rain if you haven't conducted proper maintenance. Leaves and debris build-up in your valleys or around chimneys, skylights or any other penetrations can create water dams, allowing water to back up in heavy rains.
Again, properly installed vents should not allow pests into your home–most types of ridge vents are designed with critter control measures such as mesh coverings.
Ridge vents are not recommended for use when there are existing gable vents. Best to use off ridge vents or an attic fan. Federal credits can be used to offset some of the cost of a solar attic fan and it's way better in terms of ventilation.
While each type—metal, hard plastic shingle-over, and soft foam shingle-over—has its merits, the hard plastic 4-foot shingle-over ridge vent stands out for its unparalleled air exhaust capabilities, making it an excellent choice for homeowners seeking optimal ventilation performance.
Can you have too much roof ventilation? The answer is yes, but the key lies in having the proper balance. Sufficient roof ventilation is important for keeping your home resilient, comfortable, and energy-efficient. It prevents condensation buildup and mold from growing in the attic, which helps your home last longer.