Attic Venting and Installing Exhaust Fans

Ask Danny, Attics and Basements, Heating and Cooling by Danny Lipford

I have a new house with a metal roof and without a ridge vent. Please recommend a vent system without cutting holes in the metal roof.
Bjorn

Attic Venting and Installing Exhaust Fans

Bjorn,

That would depend on the style of roof you have. If your house has a gable roof, you can install a vent in each gable then mount an exhaust fan in the attic behind one of them that is controlled by a thermostat. If you have a hip roof, you would either have to replace the existing ridge with a vented one—making sure the roofing and sheathing at the peak are cut back so air from the attic can escape through it—or mount a power vent fan on the roof itself, which would require cutting a hole in the roofing.

If you decide on a roof mounted fan, position it high up on the back of your roof, but not so high that it is visible from the front. Solar powered models are available that don’t require wiring, though they are more expensive than hard wired ones. Be sure the soffit under the eaves is vented so outside air can enter the attic.

3 Responses to “Attic Venting and Installing Exhaust Fans”

  1. Noe Saavedra Says:
    January 20th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    What I can do toinstall exhaust similar to the pictur mi roof is like that. Thank for u help.

  2. Vince Says:
    May 16th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    Hi,

    I would like to install a roof mounted, solar powered attic exhaust fan (although the incline is fairly steep and maybe I should hire a roofer) and was looking for a step-by-step procedure describing the removal of/and replacement of the asphalt shingles. I’m just a bit unsure of proper measurment, cutting and reinstallation of the shingles (ie. overlap, etc). Thanks!

    Vince

  3. Sarah Says:
    August 30th, 2008 at 6:29 am

    I have an older room in my home. I live in the trailer that is attached to the “bowling alley” ( this added room, which is fairly large; in which we have had to seal the fireplace (Rock); because the dampener is broken, put a plastic box over the top of the chimney and use black solid duct insulation to completely close off the fireplace.
    The windows in the “Bowling alley don’t open, are the “argon” double thickness.. this room is freezing in the winter & you could bake bread in it in the summer.
    The kitchen in the trailer is rather a Maze with an old built-in stove with oven over ( that the thermostat doesn’t work.) in back of this ancient stove there is this “Kitchen island” that is useless other than holding up the microwave.
    I Know this sounds like something I should just move out of; but with todays’ economy We Just can’t afford it.
    ( we are both disabled and don’t have the $$$ to spare to move, put down new deposits on the new house, Utility s etc.
    We could really use some help, Danny
    Thanks.. Sarah

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