Have you ever noticed a raised, mushroom-shaped piece of aluminum protruding from a roof? Or a square with slots placed discreetly near the top of an outdoor exterior wall? Those mysterious objects aren’t decorative sculptures or oddly shaped window shutters. In actuality, they are types of exterior exhaust vents. These vents on the outside of your house help regulate your attic’s temperature and moisture levels, extending the life of your roof and protecting your investment. Explore the various types of vents on the outside of your house below to learn which exterior vents best suit your roof’s needs.

 

Types of Exterior Exhaust Vents

Turbine Vents

You might hear turbine vents referred to as whirlybird vents. Turbine vents can be passive vents, where the wind spins the turbine, or active vents, which are mechanically driven and turn continuously. The rotary motion creates a vacuum that releases hot air from the interior of the attic. These types of exterior exhaust vents are relatively cheap and easy to install, making them a great option for smaller houses and apartments. However, if you have a larger house, you may need a more substantial ventilation system. Additionally, other types of vents on the outside of your house are more discreet than turbine vents, so some homeowners prefer to avoid them for aesthetic reasons.

Ridge Vents

Like turbine vents, ridge vents release heat from ceilings and improve the overall airflow in your house. They get their name from where they are placed: at the ridge of your roof. These vents work well with intake vents placed near the bottom of your roof that allow cool air to enter your home. This is because hot air rises to the highest point possible, and cool air sinks. As cool air sinks into your attic through the intake vent, hot air will rise to the peak of the attic and flow outside through the ridge vent. Roof ridge ventilation works best on homes with low-pitched roofs, because this type of roof allows heat to escape more easily (source).

Gable Louver Vents

Unlike the other types of vents, gable louver vents are decorative as well as functional. Gable vents come in different shapes and colors; you can get a wooden triangle, a white circle, a gray square . . . The list goes on! Professionals usually place these vents on the exterior wall of your attic, and they can easily be seen from the ground. These vents contain horizontal slots, which make them look similar to a wooden shutter. Gable louver vents are cost-effective, but you might need to install soffit or ridge vents to help move the air along.

Box Vents

Box vents rest on the tops of roofs, but unlike ridge vents, they don’t need to be placed near the ridge to function effectively. These types of vents on the outside of your house are installed by professionals over a hole cut into the roof. Box vents use natural winds to move hot air out of the attic, making them an effective form of exterior exhaust vent. Your roof contractor can help you determine whether a box vent is the right vent for the outside of your house.

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Get Your Exterior Exhaust Vents

With so many different types of exterior exhaust vents to choose from, you might be tempted to ask your contractor to install two different types. However, doubling up on exhaust vents is completely ineffective if you use more than one type of vent for the outside of your house. This short-circuits the attic ventilation system, preventing it from functioning properly. Your roofing contractor can help you select the right type of exterior vent for your home.

Exterior exhaust vents are a crucial component of any ventilation system. Rather than dealing with the costly consequences of poor roof ventilation, it’s important to be proactive. If you live near Springfield, Missouri, protect your roof by requesting a roofing ventilation consultation from GlennStone. We’ll discuss the different types of vents on the outside of your house with you and install a system tailored to your home’s needs. You can also send an e-mail to [email protected], call 417-860-8125, or contact us online. Proper attic ventilation is essential for maintaining the integrity of your roof, and we’ll help you choose the best exterior vents for your house’s needs.