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
Hi 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.
7 Comments on “Attic Venting and Installing Exhaust Fans”
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January 20th, 2008 at 12:23
What I can do toinstall exhaust similar to the pictur mi roof is like that. Thank for u help.
May 16th, 2008 at 16:24
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
August 30th, 2008 at 06:29
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
April 2nd, 2009 at 19:27
Can you effectively use both gable vents with ridge and soffet vents. I was told that you should not use all three. Any answer?
April 22nd, 2009 at 08:36
because the dryer vent goes up into the attic and travels over twenty feet, I am considering venting into the garage which is on the other side of the laundry room. Any siggestions on what to consider? Should I put the vent up a few feet to prevent rodents getting into the house?
September 21st, 2009 at 09:59
Danny,
I want to install a air vent fan in my toolshed which measures about 17′ long x 9′ wide x 12′ high. It has a rollup door and two windows above on either side. Will your installation guidelines for installing one on a house apply to this kind of structure? Thanks.
Ben Erickson Says:September 22nd, 2009 at 09:28
Hi David,
A standard house power vent fan should work fine to draw the hot air out of your shop.