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.

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. It will run the entire length of the gable roof peak. You would also have to cover up and close the gable vents because air would come in and go straight out the ridge. 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. Gable vents are usually chosen for their visual appeal but can also serve as an exhaust vent. This air then flows up the roof deck and out the ridge vent. 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.

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. 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. Installing functional gable vents can take some time as you will need to fit them into the gable end of the roof. The gable end vents were not closed up.

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. Ridge vents are much easier to install because they sit on top of the roof at the peak.