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Message
Roofing tips - ridge vents v power vents pls
Posted on 3/5/25 at 12:06 pm
Posted on 3/5/25 at 12:06 pm
Hi,
We are looking at a new roof. We currently have a few power vents with thermostats set at about 100. The roofer has suggested decking over those and installing ridge vents. This is about an hour off the Gulf. Is one better than the other? What are the tradeoffs? I dont konw how much I love the idea of him cutting into our ridge.
thanks yall.
We are looking at a new roof. We currently have a few power vents with thermostats set at about 100. The roofer has suggested decking over those and installing ridge vents. This is about an hour off the Gulf. Is one better than the other? What are the tradeoffs? I dont konw how much I love the idea of him cutting into our ridge.
thanks yall.
5
Posted on 3/5/25 at 12:19 pm to tadman
get ridge vents and power vents and seal up your gable vents.
Posted on 3/5/25 at 12:46 pm to tadman
I have a hip and valley roof and when the roof was replaced before I moved in, roofers installed ridge vents only. My ridge runs aren't long due to it being a hip and valley roof, so my attic was so poorly ventilated that I installed some whirly birds and now my attic feels properly ventilated.
Another poster on here did an experiment and his ridge vents weren't ventilating well either, so he added whirly birds.
So, I think it depends entirely on the type of roof you have. You have a long run on a gable-like roof, ridge vent would probably be fine. Your ridges aren't that long? I'd opt for whirly birds or power vents. Just know with power vents, you'll be replacing them entirely or the thermostat on them every few years.
Another poster on here did an experiment and his ridge vents weren't ventilating well either, so he added whirly birds.
So, I think it depends entirely on the type of roof you have. You have a long run on a gable-like roof, ridge vent would probably be fine. Your ridges aren't that long? I'd opt for whirly birds or power vents. Just know with power vents, you'll be replacing them entirely or the thermostat on them every few years.
Posted on 3/5/25 at 1:51 pm to tadman
Whether you have ridge vents, whirlybirds or power vents, the most important thing is to make sure you have enough INFLOW from the soffits. People always forget about this.
In houses built in the 60s and 70s and earlier, you might have a small louvered vent every so often in a soffit.
That's really not enough. You need to make sure you have adequate soffit vents, either louvered vents or perforated soffit panels, and make sure they are not blocked in the attic so that you have good airflow:
In houses built in the 60s and 70s and earlier, you might have a small louvered vent every so often in a soffit.
That's really not enough. You need to make sure you have adequate soffit vents, either louvered vents or perforated soffit panels, and make sure they are not blocked in the attic so that you have good airflow:
Posted on 3/5/25 at 2:35 pm to tadman
As others have mentioned, you need verify that you have good ventilation at your soffits. With that said there are other factors that come into play. Do you have a gable roof with gable vents? Do you have a hip style roof? If so, you need to determine if you will have an adequate amount of ridge ventilation. You also need to verify that the roofer doesn't felt over the ridge and eliminate the air gap.
I've never been a fan of power vents as the thermostat usually fails without being noticed, additionally, you're paying to ventilate your attic.
I am a proponent of quality turbine vents (whirlybirds) as they do a great job of venting the attic. I would recommend Lomanco turbine vent(s) to match your shingles and other roof accessories. The only downside is the turbine can be blown off during a storm but it’s usually a rare occurrence for cheaper or improperly installed turbines.
What you don't want is a combination of power attic vents and ridge vents near each other. The power attic vent will suck air from the ridge vent as opposed to sucking from the soffit and it won't vent the attic space properly. Think of a drinking straw in a glass of water. If you stick a pin hole just above the water line in your glass and try and suck water out, you will mostly get air. The same premise applies with the roof.
A properly vented attic will extend the life of your shingles and keep your attic much cooler.
I've never been a fan of power vents as the thermostat usually fails without being noticed, additionally, you're paying to ventilate your attic.
I am a proponent of quality turbine vents (whirlybirds) as they do a great job of venting the attic. I would recommend Lomanco turbine vent(s) to match your shingles and other roof accessories. The only downside is the turbine can be blown off during a storm but it’s usually a rare occurrence for cheaper or improperly installed turbines.
What you don't want is a combination of power attic vents and ridge vents near each other. The power attic vent will suck air from the ridge vent as opposed to sucking from the soffit and it won't vent the attic space properly. Think of a drinking straw in a glass of water. If you stick a pin hole just above the water line in your glass and try and suck water out, you will mostly get air. The same premise applies with the roof.
A properly vented attic will extend the life of your shingles and keep your attic much cooler.
Posted on 3/5/25 at 2:57 pm to Cage Fighter Trainee
as long as you have enough soffit vent sq. ft. and ridge vent lin. ft., then yes, do away with power vent. if anything extra, you can use a wind powered turbine.
Posted on 3/5/25 at 7:12 pm to tadman
Power vents can cause your home to have a negative pressure; thus drawing out conditioned sir ftom inside your home and drawing outside air into your home.
Yes that cools the attic, but it warms your home.
Yes that cools the attic, but it warms your home.
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