Intake Vents Role in Attic Ventilation

Intake Vents as a Part of Your Attic Ventilation System

Intake and Exhaust Ventilation Must be Balanced

It's crucial to install both intake and exhaust vents in a balanced system to ensure proper attic ventilation. Without adequate exhaust, moisture buildup, mold growth, and damage to the roof and attic structure can occur. On the other hand, insufficient intake can cause a pressure imbalance in your attic causing treated air from your home's living space to be sucked out of your house through the exhaust vents. This can lead to higher energy bills and reduced comfort. Below we will explore the two main types of intake vents - soffit vents and roof-mounted intake vents - and discuss the importance of balancing intake and exhaust to maintain a healthy and efficient attic space.

Soffit Vents are Preferred in Most Situations


Soffit vents offer a discreet solution to attic ventilation needs. The beauty of soffit vents is that they blend in with the eaves of the roof, making them less noticeable than their roof-mounted counterparts. What's more, their location under the roof protects them from the elements, making them less susceptible to weather-related damage than roof-mounted vents. One potential issue with soffit vents is that they can become blocked with insulation or other debris overtime. It's worth noting that some building codes may not allow for soffit vents, or your home may have been designed without soffits, so soffit intake vents are not an option for everyone.

When Soffit Vents are not an Option, Roof Mounted Intake Vents are a Great Alternative

Roof-mounted intake vents are another option for proper attic ventilation. The SNOWVENTCO Intake Vent is an excellent choice because of its stainless steel filter, which blocks out rain, snow, and other elements while still allowing air to circulate freely. These vents can be installed near the base of the roof (minimum of 4 ft from eaves and 4 ft from gable) or anywhere else on the roof that requires extra ventilation. To protect against water damage, the SNOWVENTCO Intake Vent has a built-in water deflector designed to prevent water from flowing down the roof and overwhelming the vent. These vents will ensure adequate intake ventilation and should be considered if your home doesn’t have soffit vents or if they are susceptible to blocking.

The Importance of Balanced Intake and Exhaust Ventilation

Proper attic ventilation is crucial for maintaining a healthy and efficient home. By installing a balanced system of intake and exhaust ventilation, you can prevent moisture buildup, mold growth, and damage to the roof and attic structure. Soffit vents and roof-mounted intake vents, like the SNOWVENTCO Intake Vent, offer different options for achieving proper intake ventilation. However, regardless of the type of intake vent you choose, it's essential to ensure that the system is balanced to prevent energy loss and discomfort. Don't overlook the importance of proper attic ventilation in your home, and consider consulting with a professional if you're unsure about your home's current ventilation system.

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Chislett Roofing has been in business for over 40 years and we shingle over 4,000 homes each year in Ontario. In the winter, constantly blowing snow through roof vents can be a real problem in our area. We have used SNOWVENTCO roof vents for years and their snowproof stainless steel filter is a great solution. These vents are a little more expensive, but leaking vents silently destroy attic insulation. Today over 90% of our installs use only SNOWVENTCO.

Bill Chislett

Chislett Roofing

Newmarket, Ontario

About time someone made a vent that does what it's meant to all year round!!! Good vent - will use on all my own roofing jobs.

Krzysztof Wolf

Roofer

Toronto, Ontario

The roof vents in today's market are very low quality, have a short life span and a high tendency to fail. This leaves homeowners with multiple problems including bugs/wasps, mould, overheated roofs and, most of all, water damage caused from leaking and major snow intake. When I first saw the new SNOWVENTCO Roofers' Vent I immediately liked its sleek look as well as its craftsmanship and durability. I would recommend this vent to anyone without hesitation. It's by far the most state of the art roof vent available today.

Dave Flynn

Roofer

Brighton, Ontario

I have not had a good product available to stop the snow from being blown into an attic during a windy snow storm, UNTIL NOW! The SNOWVENTCO Roof Vent will be the ONLY vent I recommend for use on any roof in any location that ever gets snow! A journeyman roofer from Germany taught me the roofing trade, but was always looking for a good vent that would keep snow out. Now we have a good vent, one that really works, available for our customers.

Francis E. Harris

Roofing Company Owner

Calgary, Alberta

SNOWVENTCO Snow Vents

snowventco upper roof exhaust vent in black polypropylene

Upper Roof Exhaust Vent

Install near roof peak to allow warm air to escape. Blocks 99% of snow, diverts rain.

a group of three snowventco lower roof intake vents in brown, grey and black

Lower Roof Intake Vent

Suitable for use in place of soffit vents. Blocks 99% of snow, effectively diverts rain.

translucent version of snowventco storm vent to allow light into a shed while keeping rain and snow out

Skylite Exhaust Vent

Perfect for sheds and garages to allow light in while keeping moisture out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need roof vents?
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Roof vents are necessary in order to improve the ventilation in your attic. Adequate ventilation helps to remove excess heat and moisture from your attic, which can prolong the life of your roof and prevent damage to your attic and the rest of your home. Additionally, proper ventilation can help to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health hazard.

What is the best roof ventilation system?
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There is no one "best" roof ventilation system as the appropriate system will depend on the specific needs of your home and roof. Roof vents are generally divided into active or passive systems with each system having its pros and cons.

How many roof vents do I need?
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The number of roof vents you need will depend on the size and layout of your attic. A general rule of thumb is to have 1 square foot (144 square inches) of vent area for every 150 square feet of attic space. For example, if your attic is 900 square feet, you would need 864 square inches (6 square feet X 144) of vent area. Additionally, it's important to make sure that your vents are properly placed and balanced, with an equal amount of intake and exhaust vents. This will ensure that air is flowing effectively through your attic and not creating pressure that could cause leaks or damage to the roof. Try our roof vent calculator to find the right amount of vents for your roof.

How Do I Install SNOWVENTCO Storm Vents?
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Installing roof vents can be a complex task that requires a certain level of skill and experience. It is recommended that you hire a professional roofing contractor to install your vents, as they will have the knowledge and tools necessary to do the job safely and correctly. However, if you're determined to install them yourself, take a look at our installation video for a step by step demonstration.

Can raccoons, squirrels, or other rodents chew through the vent and gain entrance into my attic?
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No, determined vermin will have a difficult time chewing through the heavy duty plastic outer shell which is much thicker than typical roof vents. If they are able to chew through the plastic they will not be able to get through the stainless steel filter. This will restrict attic access through the vent openings.

Can roof vents breathe under snow?
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Roof vents can breathe under snow, but it depends on the amount of snow and the type of vent. SNOWVENTCO Storm Vents have been tested to allow for airflow even under heavy snowfall conditions. See the link below for video proof.

Will SNOWVENTCO Storm Vents perform well under high wind conditions?
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Yes, the low profile and aerodynamic design of SNOWVENTCO vents combined with heavy duty polymer outer shell mean the SNOWVENTCO vents are very resistant to high winds. Our vents have undergone testing showing that they prevent over 99% of rain, snow, and other particle penetration of attic in CAT 3 hurricane wind conditions. They are also durable enough to stay intact when faced with 120 mph winds.

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