Mixing Roof Ventilation Types

The ravc recommends never mixing two types of exhaust vents on the same roof above a common attic because it could short circuit the attic ventilation system.

Mixing roof ventilation types.

The answer is not a simple yes or no so let us say perhaps the determining factor has as much to do with the layout of the attic space as with the roof s design. Vent roofs with steeples towers or cupolas can be found in different buildings from barns to cathedrals. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. The idea of roof vents existed for hundreds of years with natural vents employed in chinese buildings during the tang dynasty natural ventilation ducts in the buddhist monks caves and wind catchers incorporated in arabian architecture.

They range in style from 6 inch round stainless steel vent covers that are placed in the soffit between each rafter to continuous vents that run the entire length of the soffit. They are not generally visible from a distance and provide excellent protection against unfavorable weather conditions pests dust debris etc. It comes on an easy to install flexible mesh roll and is hand nailable with no complicated fitting wrapping nail gun adapters. Ridge vents power fans traditional electric and solar powered wind turbines gable louvers and roof louvers.

As you can see each of the above types of roof vents offers a slightly varied approach to the problem of heat and moisture in your house. These vents are available in various types and styles and soffits are easy to install under the roof s overhang which is known as the soffit. Soffit vents are made of aluminum or vinyl and are one of the most popular intake vents. Mixing or combining two or more different types of exhaust vents ridge vents wind turbines roof louvers gable louvers roof mount power fans and gable mount power fans on the same roof above a common attic can actually short circuit the attic ventilation system.

But more is only better in this case if it s more of the same type. When installed as part of a properly balanced when installed as part of a properly balanced attic ventilation system gaf cobra exhaust vent is a shingle over exhaust vent installed at the roof ridge that helps exhaust excess heat and moisture from your attic. Thus adding more vents even if they are different types seems logical. The building codes and building science for.

Roof vents for houses can have moving parts or not. Moreover they can come in different shapes sizes colors and materials. These vents are installed in the soffit the enclosed portion under the roof overhang and permit air to flow up under the roof and into the attic. Ironically sometimes the desire to mix types of attic exhaust vents seems reasonable on the surface.

The homeowner or the roofing contractor wants to improve the flow of air. As a result the choice of which roof vent style is best for you is really a.