Selecting the best roof vents for your home can be difficult from the many variables. Roof vents are a crucial part of the home. They are essential to maintaining the temperature and moisture level in the home. They are also important in increasing the lifespan of the roofing material.
Unregulated moisture levels may lead to condensation facilitating growth of active mould colonies which will threaten the safety of your belongings, and your roof.
The Types of Roof Vents
Each type of roof vent comes with pros and cons. You have to select the specific vent best suited to your needs, depending on the level of ventilation, you may have to install one particular type or combine different vents for better air distribution. Of course the choice of vents is largely dependent on the budget and investment in the house. You have the option of choosing between traditional vents or from expensive models. Before going forward with the installation process it’s important to know what you need. Therefore,the right step is to learn all that you can about the different types of vents.
Roof vent caps
This is a very simple type of vent and it is also known as box vents. The purpose of the cap is to cover the hole in the roof, this also lets hot air vents through the hole. The box vents facilitate the circulation of air in the highest parts of the house. Although they do not encourage airflow, vents caps are affordable and easy to install. For good ventilation, you should instal multiple box vents. Fans of dehumidifiers are also needed to keep the temperature under control.
Roof ridge vents
Ridge vents are similar to box vents, they are static and have no moving parts. They increase airflow and are good for heat distribution because a roof ridge vent stretches horizontally. The ridge vents help in keeping the temperature balanced throughout the house. Ridge vents also blend with the aesthetics of the home. If ridge vents are used in combination with soffit vents, they work better.
Roof turbine vents
The moving parts of this type of vents rely on wind power which spins the turbine, drawing moisture and hot air up out of the home. Roof turbine vents are suitable for windy areas with hot summers. The best part is they can increase air circulation without using electricity.
You need to choose a good quality roof turbine vent as some cheaper models can become noisy on windy days. It is also essential to use a model with permanently lubricated ball bearings for seamless performance.
Power vents
Power vents of PAVs (Power Attic Vents), come equipped with large fans that draw air out of your home, venting out moisture and hot air accordingly. While Static power vent models function on a schedule, the expensive models have fixed thermostats and humidistats. The model is expensive and depends on electricity.
Solar roof vents
Solar roof vents also require energy to run properly but they can be activated manually and require solar power. The vent uses solar energy to vent heat and humidity out of your home. However, they are expensive and need periodic maintenance. However, solar models with static vents like roof caps are good for better circulation, lowering humidity and temperature.
Soffit vents
Soffit roof vents are suitable for increasing the airflow by allowing ventilation through tiny slits or holes. This type of vents use aluminium as the standard material but PVC models are also available.
They are suitable for balancing out the inflow and outflow of the ventilation system thus creating a more balanced temperature inside and also improving airflow through the entire house.
Cupola vents
This type of vents is decorative and functional. They work much like box vents in the roof allowing hot air to rise out of the home. Cupola Vents are designed in the shape of tiny houses of birdhouses. However, they are expensive and ornamental compared to the other types of vents.
It is essential to have proper maintenance of the ventilation system and it is best to have a professional look at your vents every six months. To get the best out of your ventilation system talk to a roofing professional about your options.
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