Proper roof ventilation is one of the most important parts of a healthy home and roofing system. Ventilation works by bringing cool, dry air in through intake vents (usually soffits) and letting hot, moist air escape through exhaust vents (ridge vents, box vents, or attic fans). This balanced airflow protects your home year-round.
Insufficient ventilation can quietly cause thousands of dollars in damage over time:
👉 In short: Good roof ventilation protects your roof, saves money on energy, and prevents expensive damage. Without it, your roof system—and your wallet—will suffer.
Ridge vent is a ventilation system installed along the peak of a roof to allow hot air to escape from the attic. It works with soffit vents at the eaves to create a natural airflow, preventing overheating and moisture buildup in the attic. Ridge vents are typically made from durable materials like metal or PVC and are designed to blend seamlessly with the roof. They improve energy efficiency by reducing the load on air conditioning and extending roof life by preventing mold and moisture damage. Ridge vents operate silently and are a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution for proper attic ventilation.
Quality ridge vent typically provides approximately 18 square inches of NFA (Net Free Area) per linear foot.
Cheaper quality rolled ridge vent may only provides about 12.5 square inches of NFA (Net Free Area) per linear foot. We prefer to stay away from this for obvious reasons.
Turbine vents are a type of mechanical attic ventilation system that uses wind power to expel hot air and moisture from the attic. These vents consist of a rotating, cylindrical unit mounted on the roof. When the wind blows, it causes the turbine to spin, creating a vacuum effect that pulls air out of the attic. This promotes continuous airflow and helps prevent overheating and moisture buildup. They are durable, low-maintenance, and can significantly improve attic ventilation and energy efficiency.
A 14" Air Hawk aluminum turbine vent provides 132 square inches of NFA (Net Free Area) per vent. We love installing these due to their effectiveness at moving air!
Static roof vents (sometimes called box vents) are a passive ventilation device installed near the ridge of a roof, allowing hot, humid air to escape from the attic space. Unlike powered fans, static vents have no moving parts—they work by using natural convection and wind pressure to promote continuous airflow.
A Lomanco 750 static vent only provides 50 square inches of NFA (Net Free Area) per vent, so these are not our preferred choice for roof ventilation (compared to turbine vents).
A power attic fan is a motorized ventilation system designed to actively pull hot, humid air out of the attic and replace it with cooler outside air. Unlike static vents that rely solely on natural airflow, power fans use an electric motor and fan blades to create consistent circulation. This helps lower attic temperatures, reduce strain on HVAC systems, prevent moisture buildup, and extend the life of roofing materials.
They come with a built-in adjustable thermostat that turns on the fan when the desired temperature is reached.
Power attic fans come in various sizes and CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings, which measure the amount of air the fan can move. The correct size and capacity are chosen based on the square footage of the attic space and the amount of ventilation required. Higher CFM models are ideal for larger homes or attics with higher heat loads, while smaller fans can efficiently handle compact spaces.
Soffit vents are sections of vinyl, aluminum, or steel soffit panels designed with small holes (perforations) that allow outside air to flow into the attic. They are installed under the eaves of your roof and act as the intake side of your attic ventilation system.
DryTight Roofing
Nashville & Middle TN Roofing & Exteriors