Gable Vents Vs Roof Vents

Keeping the roof cool in the summer and because the outside air is drier than inside air in the cold weather it keeps the roof dry.

Gable vents vs roof vents.

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. When the wind is perpendicular to the gable the cooler outside air enters the gable vent and drops to the floor of the attic before rising to exit at the other end again leaving zones of dead air right. On a house with eaves and gable vents but no ridge vents wind perpendicular to the ridge tends to create air flow along the floor of the attic but leave hot dead air in the roof peak left. You would also have to cover up and close the gable vents because air would come in and go straight out the ridge.

This air then flows up the roof deck and out the ridge vent. You merely have to climb up to the roof and place the ridge vent. Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air. Many roofing contractors discourage using a gable vent with ridge vent and soffit vents because a gable vent interrupts the proper airflow and can cause the air current to flow perpendicular and unevenly throughout the attic.

The gable end vents were not closed up. It will run the entire length of the gable roof peak. Since we had the new roof we have had issues with ice dams as well as uncomfortable temperatures on the second floor of the house cold in winter and very hot in summer. Gable vents are usually chosen for their visual appeal but can also serve as an exhaust vent.

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. A new roof was installed 10 years ago at which time a ridge vent was added along all ridges at the suggestion of the roofer.