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.
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. And for homes that cannot have soffit ventilation, you will find that fascia vents to be your second best bet.
Soffit Ventilation
These are vents installed in the soffit or the area under the eaves of the roof. It allows fresh air to enter the roof cavity space and also works well with other types of vents to create a natural flow of cool air.
For any type of system (active, passive, or mechanical ventilation) a healthy venting ratio is one where the attic space requires a minimum of 50% intake ventilation and 50% exhaust, but ideally, a 60/40 is recommended, when possible.
A universally accepted guideline for roof ventilation is the 1/150 ventilation rule. According to this rule, a roof must have ventilation that is at least one square foot for every 150 square feet of attic or crawl space. A minimum of 13.3 square feet of ventilation is needed for a 2,000-square-foot attic.
In the case of a mono pitch or lean-to roof 10mm eaves ventilation is required together with 5mm ridge or top edge ventilation. If the roof pitch is 15 degrees or less then 25mm eaves ventilation is required.
Poor ventilation can damage shingles by causing extreme roof temperatures, water damage to roof decking, and more. That's why it's important to be alert to the state of your roof's exterior.
1. DAYLIGHT COMING THROUGH THE ATTIC ROOF. If you go into your attic to inspect your roof and you see light shining through cracks or holes, you need to repair or replace your roof immediately.
Common Over-Ventilation Problems
Too much ventilation can work against the airflow of your attic because having too many vents can cause them to start to work against each other. If the wrong types of vents are installed, these can also work against each other in a way that moisture or frost can regrettably develop.
Natural ventilation. If well installed and maintained, there are several advantages of a natural ventilation system, compared with mechanical ventilation systems. Natural ventilation can generally provide a high ventilation rate more economically, due to the use of natural forces and large openings.
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.
Best Ventilation Practices: A Balanced System With Recovery
HRVs and ERVs can also exchange moisture in the airflows to help maintain optimal indoor humidity levels. ERVs are the best choice in most cases, as they are beneficial in preventing indoor air from becoming too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.
The main benefit of roof ventilation is to regulate the temperature of your roof cavity, so that it doesn't heat or cool the rest of your property. If you're living in a building with an unventilated roof, your air conditioning will be working harder to cool your property.
Along with exhaust vents that release the hot air in the attic, it is beneficial to have intake vents to strengthen the air flow process. Edge vents can be installed under soffits or under shingles near the drip edge by gutters. Intake vents are essential for cycling cool air through the home to prevent overheating.
A vented roof will keep a home cooler in the summer, lowering cooling costs, and keep the roof cool in the winter, preventing costly ice dams. An unvented roof will make the attic space livable and keep conditioned air from escaping the home, but the initial installation can be costly.
Without proper roof ventilation, you allow the attic to remain at a high temperature. This can damage and crack your shingles well before they should be showing signs of damage. Go with the flow. Roof vents create proper air flow, which reduces moisture that can build up inside an attic.
When calculating how much attic ventilation you need, your roofer will either use the 1/150 or 1/300 rule. The one they use determines how much Net Free Ventilation Area (open area for air to pass through) you'll need for every 150 or 300 square feet of attic space.
Turbine Vents
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.
Both types of vents are effective tools for ventilating your home, but ridge vents are more common nowadays. Box vents are more prone to leaking, letting critters into your attic and rust. The important rule to keep in mind is to install only one type of roof vent.
While whirlybirds may provide some ventilation benefits, they are not waterproof and can allow wind-driven rain into your attic. On the other hand, Duraflo turbo vents offer enhanced performance, durability, and a completely waterproof design, ensuring optimal ventilation without compromising your attic's integrity.
Rafter vents should be placed in your attic ceiling in between the rafters at the point where your attic ceiling meets your attic floor. Once they are in place, you can then place the batts or blankets, or blow insulation, right out to the very edge of the attic floor.