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- BEST OVERALL: LOMANCO 12 in. ...
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Broan-NuTone 3 in. ...
- BEST RIDGE VENT: GAF Cobra Ridge Vent
- BEST SOLAR VENT: Master Flow 500 CFM Solar Powered Roof Mount Exhaust
- BEST HARD-WIRED POWERED: Master Flow 1000 CFM Mill Power Roof Mount Attic Fan
- BEST FOR GABLE ROOF: Ventamatic 1600 CFM Mill Electric Powered Gable Fan
What is the best type of ridge vent?
- Suppose you’re building a new home or replacing a roof, a ridge vent balances out the hot and cold air in your attic. ...
- Roof ridge vents are sleek and go with the look of your house, and they are hard to notice from the ground. ...
- Ridge vents prevent animals like rodents from getting into your attic. ...
What are the pros and cons of ridge vents?
Roof Ridge Vents It also works better because it creates a vacuum. It has the ability to work with vaulted ceilings, and you only need one of them to get the job done for ventilation, as compared to multiple box vents. It is the more expensive vs. Likewise, are ridge vents more expensive?
Are ridge vents better than box vents?
Turbine roof vents play a more active role in air movement than static vents. Using a turbine, they suck air up through the vent in much the same way a vacuum cleaner would—though perhaps not quite as powerful. It is the active component that makes turbine vents more suitable for properties where a lot of air movement needs to be generated.
Are static roof vents better than turbines?

Can you have attic fan and ridge vent?
Combining an attic power vent fan with a ridge vent is usually not recommended because: It could reverse the natural flow of hot air out the ridge vent. If air is drawn in through the ridge vent while it's raining, it might pull rainwater in with it, which could lead to leaking or mold in the attic.
Is ridge vent better than turbines?
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.
Can you mix roof vents?
Can You Mix Roof Ventilation Systems? No. The general rule of thumb is to install only one type of attic vent per common attic space. Each vent type (box, slant-back and turbine) are designed to move air flow differently through the attic.
Do you need other vents if you have ridge vent?
To work properly, a ridge vent system should be accompanied by soffit vents on either side of the roof's edge.
How many ridge vents should a house have?
But how many roof vents does one home really need? A general guideline is homeowners need one square foot of roof vent for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, if your home has a roof with a vapor barrier, or 1:300. If not, you should have one square foot of roof vent for every 150 square feet, or 1:150.
What is the most effective roof venting system?
Soffit vents are a favorite amongst home builders and roofers because they are unquestionably the most effective intake vent for the cost. If a home's style allows for it, most new construction builders include soffit vents in their home's blueprint.
Can you mix two types of exhaust vents?
It is important not to mix exhaust vent types. It's bad enough when you do it on a single dwelling home, but that same mistake in a multi-family home is deadly. Think of all the moisture that is created by all the families — the washer/dryer, dishwasher, sinks, showers and ourselves.”
Is it OK to have ridge vent and gable vents?
Do Gable Vents and Ridge Vents Work Well Together? The simple answer is: Not really. If your home features both ridge vents and gable vents operating simultaneously, you should think about sealing up the gable vents. Different types of exhaust vents actually prevent each other from working effectively.
Can you have ridge vents and box vents?
Box Vents and Ridge Vents Working Together It might sound odd to bring air into your home, but in this situation, it's the perfect solution to keeping this part of your home dry and not overly hot. The air circulation will flow through your soffit ventilation and box vents, and leave through your ridge vents.
When should you not use a ridge vent?
During heavy rains, deep snow or high winds along with rain can enter through the vent and stain the ceiling below. Most manufacturers state that a ridge vent should not be installed on a roof with a pitch (slope) of 3-1/2 in 12 or less.
Does ridge vent make house colder in winter?
The unintended consequence of your recently installed roof vents is that your house got colder. In the winter months, warm attic air is vented to the outside through the ridge vents and is replaced by colder outside air sucked in through the soffit vents.
Do ridge vents make your house colder?
Ridge vents do little or nothing to lower the temperature inside an attic. In fact, they would have to break the laws of physics to work. Hot air rises, it doesn't go down. To exit a roof ridge vent, air has to go down about three inches.
Are turbine roof vents better?
The benefits of the turbine vent include its lower cost of installation and the active nature of ventilation it provides. However, because the turbine relies on the wind, it is far less effective at venting the roof when there is no breeze. When the wind is blowing, however, a turbine can move massive amounts of air.
Which is better roof vent or ridge vent?
Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof's ridge, allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. It also works better because it creates a vacuum in your attic.
Are roof wind turbines worth it?
Even if you install the most powerful domestic pole-mounted system, there's no guarantee that you'll break even on your investment. Often obstructed by other buildings, trees and hills, roof-mounted turbines are even less likely to access the required wind energy to become cost-effective.
Are turbine roof vents any good?
They are incredibly effective at venting hot attic air, but there's not always room for them. When an attic space needs ventilation but there's no more room for ridge vents, turbine vents are usually the next best solution. They are very flexible regarding placement, and there's almost always room for them.
Which is better, turbine or ridge vent?
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.
What is a ridge vent?
turbine vent, two of the most popular styles. A ridge vent, as the name indicates, is located at the ridges where your roof peaks, ...
Where is the vent on a roof?
Ridge vents. A ridge vent, as the name indicates, is located at the ridges where your roof peaks, and runs along the top of those ridges. The vent is shaped around the ridge and covered with matching siding or tile, so that it is very unobtrusive and typically looks like a running cap or piece of extra roof trim.
Do you need ridge vents for turbines?
When reviewing turbine vent options, remember that they are very visible: If you want your vent s to have a low profile, you may prefer ridge vents. Lubrication and high quality materials are also important – depending on the climate, poor-quality turbines may rust or dry out, developing intolerable squeaks and groans.
Do all roofs have ridges?
The ridge must be installed along the entire roof to prove effective, and not all rooftops have enough ridge s for this method to work. For especially steep hip roofs, even full ridge vents may not provide enough airflow. Turbine vents do indeed look like small wind turbines installed on your roof.
Do turbine vents move more air?
When the wind blows regularly, these vents can move more air than other types of vents, but they are not effective when the air is still. Also, since the installation area for turbine vents is much smaller than ridge vents, they often cost less to install.
Do wind turbines work on roofs?
Turbine vents do indeed look like small wind turbines installed on your roof. As the wind moves across your rooftop, it turns these turbines and draws air up out of your attic area. No additional source of power is needed, and turbines are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.
Which is more effective, a roof turbine or a ridge vent?
Roof turbines are more effective in winter than ridge vents. As mentioned before roof turbines can vent more volume of air at a time than ridge vents. Since ridge vents work on the principle of convection they are not very effective during winter.
How tall is a ridge vent?
A typical ridge vent has a height of only one inch or less and it cannot be seen from the outside. In contrast, you can spot a whirlybird from a mile away. From a distance, they look like large mushrooms sprouted on the roof. To be honest, they are hideous to look at compared to the more sophisticated ridge vents.
How does a roof turbine work?
Roof turbines remove air by active ventilation while ridge vents do that by passive ventilation. Even though roof turbines do not consume any energy they remove air just like active ventilators. This is because when the wind flows, it moves the fins of the turbine vent making it work as an active ventilator.
Why do roof turbines exhaust air?
Roof turbines exhaust air due to the spinning action of their blades which is caused by outside wind movement. When there is no wind blowing the turbine will remain stationary not moving any attic air. Since ridge vents work based on convection they work irrespective of the weather conditions.
Which is better for venting attic or roof?
Both roof turbines and ridge vents are great options for ventilating an attic. The answer to which one of them is better depends on your preferences and where you live. If you need vents that do not visually affect the roof then your only option is a ridge vent.
Can you use ridge vents in attic?
Also if you live in an area that doesn’t have much wind movement, again, ridge vents are the only option. On the other hand, if you care more about performance and you are located in an area with mild winds roof turbines are a great choice for your attic ventilation.
Do roof turbines need more maintenance than ridge vents?
Roof turbines require more maintenance than ridge vents. As you know roof turbines have moving parts. They are also made of metal which is likely to rust whereas ridge vents don’t have any such issues. Therefore roof turbines require more maintenance than ridge vents.
What is the difference between turbine vents and ridge vents?
Ridge vents blend in with the roof, while turbine vents stand out.
Why do wind turbines need ridge vents?
Because ridge vents span the length of the ridges, they take a lot more time and work to build than a wind turbine , which just requires the removal of a few tiles. Roof turbines require greater upkeep than ridge vents. Roof turbines, as you may know, contain moving components.
What happens when wind blows over a roof vent?
A gust of wind flowing over the ridge vent may produce a low pressure zone on the leeward side, speeding up air removal, although the volume of air moved is still less than a wind turbine. Roof turbines take up less space and are less expensive to build.
Why are roof turbines ineffective in winter?
Ridge vents are ineffective in the winter because they rely on the concept of convection.
How do turbines work?
3 Roof turbines use active ventilation to remove air, while ridge vents use passive ventilation. 4 Ridge vents blend in with the roof, while turbine vents stand out. 5 More air is moved by roof turbines than by ridge vents. 6 Roof turbines take up less space and are less expensive to build.
What is a ridge vent?
Roof turbines are the spinning objects that may be seen on the roofs of homes and businesses, while ridge vents are shallow vents that run along the roof’s ridge. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between ridge vents and whirlybird roof turbines.
Why is passive ventilation used in roof turbines?
Because the hot air is not pushed out of the attic, but rather evacuated by providing an outlet , this is a passive ventilation technique. Despite the fact that roof turbines and ridge vents operate in different ways, both need the existence of air intake vents such as soffit vents to function properly.
