Nothing is more frustrating than a hot summer day that overheats your attic, warming the rest of your home and ruining the comfort of your spacious living space. To escape this type of situation, we often opt for ventilation systems that push out the hot summer air. However, these vents come in different designs, structures, and functions that can be performed according to the needs of the homeowners. So, in this guide, we will learn everything about turbine roof vents, including why they are considered one of the best roof vents among other ventilation systems.
What Is A Turbine Roof Vent?
Commonly known as whirlybirds, turbine roof vents are a type of vent used on roofs to improve the effectiveness of ventilation in attics. These vents utilize natural wind power to create negative pressure that draws hot air and moisture out of the attic, enhancing overall air circulation within the home. This vent not only helps you maintain a cooler attic space inside your home, but it also helps to improve the overall lifespan of your roof.
Advantages of Turbine Roof Vents
Here’s a list of advantages a turbine roof provides to your home.
1. Helps With A Better Airflow
Designed to increase the amount of natural airflow in the attic space, turbine roof vents are the best option for maintaining a healthy interior for your attic. A turbine vent creates a vacuum effect that effectively pulls stale air out of the attic space, maintaining a balanced temperature, which is particularly beneficial during summer when heat accumulation can lead to an increase in your energy bills as your AC unit works harder to cool down your home. The spinning action of the turbine
2. Moisture Control
During heavy rain, excess moisture in an attic can cause serious mold growth and possible structural damage in the future. Turbine vents help you deal with this by removing excessive humid air through its vent, which in turn, reduces moisture-related issues. This is especially crucial in regions with high humidity levels.
3. Energy Efficiency
Having a cooler attic space is a dream for many, and a turbine roof vent helps you to achieve that effortlessly. This automatically reduces the workload of your HVAC system, leads to lower energy consumption, and helps you save a hefty amount of energy bills.
4. Increase Roof Durability
Proper ventilation helps you to prevent heat and moisture buildup inside your attic, which can degrade the roofing materials over time. However, by maintaining better conditions in the attic, turbine vents extend the life of shingles and other roofing components.
What Makes It A Better Ventilation Option?
Take a look at how turbine vents compare to other types of roof vents in order to learn why they’re the best option:
1. Turbine Roof Vent vs. Ridge Vent
Turbine Vent:
Active Ventilation: They use wind as a medium to generate suction and improve the flow of air.
Wind Dependent: Works better with wind, providing more efficient ventilation when the wind is present.
Ridge Vent:
Passive Ventilation: Allows air to escape through the roof ridge via convection.
Aesthetically Pleasing: Often less noticeable than other vents and blends well with rooflines.
Limited Performance in Low Wind: Less effective in areas with little to no wind compared to turbine vents.
2. Turbine Roof Vent vs. Power Roof Vent
Turbine Vent:
Wind Powered: They use natural wind to create airflow, which does not require any electricity.
Low Maintenance: It is very low maintenance and does not need any replacement or repair.
Energy Efficient: Does not use electricity, reducing the amount spent on energy bills, which also makes it an eco-friendly option for your home.
Power Roof Vent:
Electric Powered: Requires electricity to operate, providing strong air circulation.
Higher Maintenance: Motor and electrical components may need repair or replacement over time.
Effective but Costly: More efficient at ventilation, but may make energy bills higher in order to power them.
3. Turbine Roof Vent vs. Box Roof Vent
Turbine Vent:
Wind-Assisted: The turbine vent uses wind to create suction and improves air movement and ventilation.
Active Ventilation: Better airflow in every weather condition, including low-wind and windy conditions.
Versatile: Effective in a variety of climates and roof configurations.
Box Vent:
Passive Ventilation: Box vents rely on convection to move air out of the attic.
Less Efficient: It is a less effective method than a turbine roof vent, especially in attics with inconsistent airflow inside the home.
Simple Design: Box vent roofs are affordable and do not require frequent maintenance on a regular basis.
Installation Method
Installing a turbine roof vent involves several steps that require careful planning and execution. Below is a step-by-step installation process to install a turbine vent in your home.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
👉Choose The Location
Select an appropriate spot for installation, typically near the peak of the roof where wind exposure will be maximized. You also want to ensure that there are no obstructions, such as rafters, in the chosen area.
👉Measure And Mark
Use a measuring tape to determine the center point for the vent installation. Mark this spot clearly with chalk or a marker.
👉Creating A Space For The Vent
To ensure easy installation, carefully cut a hole in the roofing material using a jigsaw or circular saw according to the size specifications of your turbine vent.
👉Position The Vent
Place the base of the turbine vent over the cut hole and use screws or nails to secure it firmly to the roof decking. Now, applying sealant around the edges will create a watertight seal for the vent.
👉Install Flashing
Place metal flashing around the perimeter of the hole to prevent water infiltration, and then secure it with roofing nails as needed.
👉Attach The Turbine Head
Slide the turbine head onto its base and secure it with screws or clips as per manufacturer instructions. You want to ensure that it spins freely without obstruction.
👉Final Checks
Inspect all connections for tightness and proper sealing. You can also test its function by testing for airflow through the vent.
The Installation Cost Of Turbine Roof Vents
The installation cost of turbine roof vents depends on several factors like, the brand, size, material, and other features such as built-in dampers or specialized coatings.
Basic Models: $50 to $100
Mid-Range Models: $100 to $200
High-End Models: $200 and above
In addition to material costs, consider potential installation expenses, and the cost of labor depending on local rates and complexity of installation.
Factors Affecting The Performance Of A Turbine Roof Vent
The performance of a turbine roof vent depends on the following factors:
Wind Speed and Direction
Turbine vents rely on wind to spin, so areas that receive little wind, or have obstructions around the house, like buildings or trees, can reduce efficiency.
Size and Number of Vents
Properly sized vents, and having more than one on the roof are crucial for effective air circulation, especially in larger spaces.
Roof Slope and Design
Steep roofs encourage better wind flow, while flatter roofs may limit the vent’s effectiveness.
Insulation and Ventilation
Adequate attic insulation and complementary intake vents, like soffit vents, are necessary for proper airflow and temperature regulation.
Climatic Conditions
Locations with hotter weather benefit more from turbine vents, as they help push hot air out of the home and keep the interior comfortable.
Maintenance
Regular cleaning and lubrication of the turbine prevents blockages and ensures smooth operation.
Contact An Experienced Roofing Contractor For Roof Vent Installation
Installing a ventilation system on your roof is not a small task. It demands experience and precision for successful ventilation inside your home. Especially in the case of turbine vents, which do not require electricity to function, it is necessary to consult a roofing contractor to inspect and install the ventilation system with care. With a decade of experience, Prestige Roofing LLC has enough experience installing different kinds of roof vents, so if you are looking for vent installation, call us at (920) 791-0414 and let us help you fulfill your needs.