The Air Vent Homeowner Hut—a dedicated place for tips, ideas, and resources for the homeowner. If you would like to submit your innovative idea, clever home improvement tip, or other homeowner resource to be featured here, reach out to us on our Facebook page. Use the links below to sort through our Homeowner content: 
Homeowner Videos
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Video: Don’t Make the 2nd Most Common Mistake in Attic Ventilation |
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Roofing contractors sometimes report that homeowners insist on having two different attic exhaust vent types on the roof thinking more is better. It’s not. It makes the attic airflow worse. To work properly attic ventilation must be a combination of intake vents (positioned in the soffit or very low on the roof) and ONE type of exhaust vent positioned high on the roof or at the peak of the roof. Any additional vent penetrations beyond that configuration causes inefficient airflow and potential weather infiltration. Furthermore, it goes directly against the guidance from the vent manufacturer, the shingle manufacturer, and building code. |
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June 14, 2023
Take our Pop Quiz “Fact or Fiction? Mixing Exhaust Vent Types is Problematic”
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Video: Getting Insurance to Pay for Proper Attic Ventilation During a Claim |
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When a roof is damaged by a storm and your insurance company has agreed to pay to replace the roof, proper attic ventilation should be part of the project paid for by the insurance company. This means proper attic exhaust ventilation and intake ventilation based on the square footage of your attic (the size of the attic). We have a portal on our website outlining the steps homeowners take and the documentation they use to help get insurance companies to cover these costs. The bottom line: Attic airflow is a roof’s “insurance policy.” |
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Video: See for Yourself Why Exhaust Vents Need Intake Vents |
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The most overlooked portion of a residential attic ventilation system is INTAKE – the vents installed in the soffit/overhang or low on roof’s edge. Without a balanced amount of intake airflow into the attic the exhaust ventilation is not only useless it’s potentially problematic. This smoke house demonstration shows why. The demo also features the Bernoulli Effect when the wind hits the external baffle on the ridge vent. Check out the air pumping from the ridge vent! NOTE: Video courtesy of Sara Klindtworth, owner of Solid Roofing NW in Albany, Oregon. |
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Video: Don’t Fall Victim to the #1 Mistake in Attic Ventilation |
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Too often when a new roof is installed the attic EXHAUST ventilation is examined for correct quantity and/or improvements but little attention is given to the attic INTAKE vents. Even brand new homes are being built with a lack of proper intake ventilation. It’s the #1 mistake in residential attic ventilation based on incoming calls to our Customer Service Hotline 1-800-AIR-VENT. Unless the attic exhaust ventilation (which is supposed to be calculated based on the attic’s size) is balanced with an equal amount of intake airflow, the attic ventilation will not be able to effectively fight damaging heat buildup, moisture buildup, and ice dams. |
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Video: Attic Ventilation Helps Fight Moisture Buildup Generated by House Occupants |
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Every time we cook, clean, shower, run the dishwasher, breathe, we generate water vapor inside the house. It’s gallons of water vapor. In the warmer months, this water vapor is a non-issue. But in the colder months, the water vapor is attracted to a colder, dryer location – the attic. Proper attic ventilation can help fight the moisture from building up and becoming problematic. |
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Video: Proper Attic Ventilation Helps Fight Ice Dams |
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Some homeowners mistakenly think allowing cold outside air into the attic in the winter is a bad idea. But that cold air is a key component in a multi-step fight against ice dams on your roof. |
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Video: For Best Looks, Run the Ridge Vent End-to-End on the Roof |
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There are significant cosmetic benefits to using low-profile ridge vent as your attic exhaust vent system when your roof is suitable for ridge vent. That curbside appeal is gone, however, anytime the ridge vent is installed short of the very end of your roof – no matter where the airflow slot at the peak of your roof stops. |
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Video: Attic Ventilation Energy Savings Case Study |
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Fixing the Two Most Common Mistakes Saved Hundreds of Dollars. In this visually compelling thermal imaging case study the #1 and #2 most common mistakes in attic ventilation were fixed. The results: Lower roof deck temperatures, lower attic temperatures, lower interior room temperatures, and significant dollars saved. Believe your roofing contractor who recommends balanced INTAKE & EXHAUST airflow; and please stop mixing different types of attic exhaust vents on the same roof above a common attic. |
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Video: Attic Ventilation Helps Fight Heat Buildup |
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Attics Get Hot. A balanced flow of intake and exhaust air through the attic vents can help reduce the heat buildup before it becomes problematic inside the living space and on the roof. See our additional resources below to understand what is a realistic attic temperature when the attic ventilation is correctly balanced with intake and exhaust. Take our Pop Quiz for tips venting hot attics. And hear the story of a homeowner who cut her energy bill 25% thanks to proper attic ventilation. |
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Video: Be Mindful of the Limitations of Wind Turbines |
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Limitation Alert. There are times to use wind turbines for attic exhaust ventilation because other options are not practical or possible. But homeowners should be aware of the cosmetic and airflow limitations that come with wind turbines. Where there’s space between wind turbines the air does not move very well, if at all (this is the same concern with box vents explained in an earlier video). Additionally, many homeowners say wind turbines are not very attractive. |
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Video: Working with the Homeowner Who Questions the Need for Balanced Attic Ventilation |
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Roofer and Homeowner Meeting. Just because the attic previously never had proper ventilation is not a reason to continue to ignore it. Besides, it’s possible the conditions inside the attic and living space have changed since the house was purchased – further increasing the need to revisit the attic ventilation. |
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Video: Be Aware of the Airflow Limitations of Roof Louvers/Box Vents |
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Exhaust airflow limitation alert! Because box vents (also called roof louvers, can vents, pot vents, static vents) are installed spaced apart near the peak of the roof, they leave pockets of attic that will NOT receive the benefits of airflow. If you’re 100% sure your roof is not better suited for the continuous, non-stop exhaust airflow provided by ridge vents, be mindful of the limitations of box vents. |
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Video: The Installation Instructions Read “Do Not Mix Attic Exhaust Vent Types” |
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Mixing different types of attic exhaust vents is the 2nd most common mistake across North America. Homeowners should not ask roofing contractors to do it, nor should they allow it to happen to their roofs. NEVER combine ridge vents, wind turbines, box vents, gable louvers or power fans on the same roof above a common, shared attic. It short-circuits the system causing inefficient airflow and potential weather infiltration. |
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Video: Don’t Settle for an Eyesore on Your Roof Created by Box Vents |
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You can have curbside appeal on your roof. Having multiple individual box vents on your roof to exhaust your attic can create a visual eyesore unnecessarily. Ask your roofing contractor: “Is my roof a candidate for better looking, better performing ridge vents?” |
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Video: Ridge Vents are the Optimum Exhaust Vents for your Roof. That’s Why Your Contractor is Recommending them. |
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Believe your roofing contractor. Of all the categories of attic exhaust vents (wind turbines, box vents, gable louvers, power fans and ridge vents), ridge vents are the best choice if your roof has a generous horizontal ridge line. With matching shingles installed on top, they blend in beautifully with your roof. And because they are installed continuously along the peak of your roof, they are the only vent to deliver non-stop exhaust airflow. |
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Video: Increased Airflow in the Attic Helps the AC and Heater |
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Choosing the optimum amount of attic ventilation pays off. If the roofing contractor recommends a 1/150 airflow ratio in your attic (1 square foot of net free area for every 150 square feet of attic floor space), go with it. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi shares research documenting the seasonal dollars saved running the air conditioner and heater. |
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Video: Without a Humidistat Feature Power Attic Fans WILL NOT Fight Moisture |
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We generate 2-4 gallons of water vapor daily as occupants of the house. If your power attic fan does not have a humidistat feature, it will not help to fight this potentially damaging moisture. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains how, without a humidistat, the only time the fan will be triggered to turn on is based on heat buildup inside the attic – in effect giving you only partial attic ventilation benefits. Related resources: |
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Video: Homeowner Says the Contractor’s Price is Too Expensive |
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But is the price really too expensive, homeowner? Does each estimate you’re reviewing include balanced attic ventilation with INTAKE and EXHAUST vents? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains that it’s unfair to compare pricing without confirming they are in fact apples to apples in scope of work detail. Related resources:
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Video: How Does Proper Attic Ventilation Protect My Roof? |
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Video courtesy of Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) Is your attic properly vented? Every house has a roof but is every roof properly vented to help prevent roof deterioration or roofing system failure? In this video from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, key points of emphasis are highlighted to discuss with your roofing contractor before you buy your next roof. |
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Video: A Word of Caution About Vented Soffit |
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Use fully vented soffit. To maximize the intake airflow into the attic, use fully vented soffit. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains that unless it’s fully vented soffit, the vent may not be providing enough intake airflow. Vented soffit panels are also discussed in our podcast with Pond Roofing Company.
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Video: Do You Know Where Your Bathroom Fan Ductwork Terminates? |
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Avoid moisture overload in your attic. Bathroom fan ductwork that terminates either in the attic or out to the soffit near the intake vents can be a source of damaging moisture buildup. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains a better destination for the ductwork. |
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Video: No Need to Hire an Electrician with Solar Power Fans |
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There are zero electrical costs when you go solar with your attic fans. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains how the sun powers roof-mount and gable-mount fans, not electricity. |
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Video: This High Efficiency Fan Adjusts to the Conditions in the Attic |
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An on board computer chip and variable speed motor make the HE15 attic exhaust fan high efficiency. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi shares the energy savings – in dollars – homeowners can look forward to compared to traditional attic exhaust fans. |
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Video: Homeowners: Don’t wait to be offered Ridge Vents. Ask for them. |
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How superior are ridge vents compared to all other types of attic exhaust vents? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi encourages roofing contractors to always offer them to homeowners if the roof has a generous length of horizontal peak and/or diagonal hips. |
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Video: Homeowner Asks Why No Other Contractors Talk Attic Ventilation but YOU |
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A common pushback from homeowners heard by roofing contractors is this: “Why are you the only roofing contractor I’ve talked to bringing up attic ventilation? Why don’t the others?” In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains how to turn that into a positive dialogue. |
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Video: Does the Homeowner Understand Scope of Work Differences |
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When comparing roofing estimates, does the homeowner understand the scope of work differences? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains why it is unfair to your roof and to the contractor to say the price is too high without first understanding the details of the project. |
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Video: Insurance will Only Pay for the Vents in Place Pre-Storm |
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Don’t accept payment for an inferior roof. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains why it is important to ask insurance companies to pay to bring attic ventilation up to code. For additional information, check out our industry resources below on how roofing contractors can help homeowners with insurance and attic ventilation upgrades. |
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Video: Homeowner's Insurance Wants to Reuse Vents |
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When reroofing, always replace the attic exhaust vents. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains the importance of not allowing insurance companies to force the homeowners to reuse vents during reroofing projects. For additional information, read “After the Storm” – our industry article on how roofing contractors can help homeowners with insurance and attic ventilation upgrades. |
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Video: Ridge Vents Should Be Installed End-to-End |
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Don’t defeat the single best cosmetic advantage Ridge Vents offer vs. other attic exhaust vents on your roof. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains the benefits of avoiding broken rooflines with continuous, end-to-end Ridge Vents. |
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Video: Don’t Forget About Curbside Appeal, Homeowner |
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What do you want when you look at your house for the next 10 to 15 years? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains the often overlooked benefit of the streamlined look of Ridge Vent vs traditional box and turbine ventilation systems—curb appeal. |
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Video: Ridge Vents with External Baffles are Best |
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How do external wind baffles affect ridge ventilation? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains how external wind baffles can improve the overall performance of attic Ridge Vents. |
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Video: Of the 5 Types of Attic Exhaust Vents, Ridge Vents are #1 |
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Why are Ridge Vents the #1 option? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains why Ridge Vents are the optimum exhaust vent for continuous airflow compared to other ventilation alternatives. |
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Video: Your Choice Homeowner: Ridge Vent or a BUNCH of Other Vent Types |
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Better performance. Better appearance. In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains just how many wind turbines or box vents it would take to match the performance of end-to-end Ridge Ventilation. |
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Video: #1 Problem Across North America = Lack of Intake Ventilation in the Attic |
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What is the #1 ventilation mistake in North America? In this video from our annual Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains how intake ventilation is the leading cause of call-backs from roofing contractors. |
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Video: Do Not Put a Bag Over the Wind Turbine Ever...Including the Winter |
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Mistakes to Avoid: In this clip from the Air Vent Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains why covering a wind turbine is never a good idea for the homeowner…even in the Winter. |
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Video: Attic Ventilation Must Include Balanced Intake and Exhaust |
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Balanced attic airflow is best. In this clip from the Air Vent Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi explains that in order for the attic ventilation system to perform properly it must be balanced with intake and exhaust vents. |
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Video: Never mix two different types of attic exhaust vents above a common attic |
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Don't mix ventilation types! In this clip from the Air Vent Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi details why combining two different types of attic exhaust vents is problematic and should always be avoided. |
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Video: Why Homeowners Should Vent the Attics Under Their Roofs |
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Why ventilate the attic? In this clip from the Air Vent Ask the Expert Seminars, Paul Scelsi details the effects of heat and moisture build-up in your home's attic. |
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