Choosing the Right Roof Vents: Standard vs Built-up vs. Made-to-Order

Roof vents are flashed, screened, and weatherproof openings on a building’s roof line. They let warm air and moisture out of the house or building with the help of intake vents and soffit vents.

Roof vents keep the building’s inhabitants comfortable, lower cooling costs, and reduce long-term damage to the attic space.Choosing the correct roof vents will depend on the specific use, the hole size required, and whether the roof is pitched or flat.

Standard Residential Roof Vents

Our standard residential roof vent is the SV50 Plastic Roof Vent, which is for roofs with at least a 3.5:12 pitch. Each SV50 offers 50 square inches of free area to facilitate attic ventilation.

SV50 exhaust vents are made of durable high-density polyurethane and properly exhaust hot air while keeping rainwater out. These simple box vents are black by default but also available in gray, wood gray, light brown, and dark brown.

 

On the other hand, bathroom fans and dryers require a special exhaust vent:   The UV456 is a smaller vent that fits most flexible bathroom and dryer vent hose sizes. It also comes with a nylon strap for easy installation.

Roof Vents for Flat Roofs

If your building’s roof is flat, we recommend using one of our two “built-up roof vents” (or BUR vents). Our standard Built Up Roof Vent is galvanized and HOTWELDED for high-heat applications. It also has a 6mm bird screen to keep critters out of the roof ventilation system.

The BUR Flat Top Vent is your second option. It’s a lower-profile vent that is sturdy enough to support an adult’s weight and is excellent for HVAC on industrial projects and standard roofing ventilation.

 

We also have the Breather Vent Spun Aluminum as a third option for smaller applications. It has a smaller profile than its BUR counterparts and comes in 4”, 8”, and 12” height varieties.

 

Turbine Roof Vents

Photo source: https://premiereroofing.net/the-pros-and-cons-of-turbine-roof-vents/

Turbine vents do two things in one fluid motion: They let warm air out of the attic and cool air in. They’re intake and exhaust vents in one. Turbine vents spin as hot air rises through them, giving them the nickname “whirlybirds.”

Turbine vents require unique bases depending on the slope of the roof. On flat roofs, Menzies’ Turbine Base Spun Aluminum is your go-to option, as it can accommodate any 12” turbine:

We recommend the galvanized steel base like Menzies’ Turbine Vent Galvanized HOTWELD Base for turbine vent installations on pitched roofs or if you intend to use them on the roof ridge. We can make pitches greater than 12/12 by special order.

Roof Vents With Special Shapes or Made-to-Order

At Menzies, we offer vents with unique or customized shapes. Our 8” Metal Roof Stem Vent is the primary example in this category, as we usually make them to-order for projects requiring larger vents.

We also have our VI Residential Metal Roof Vent, a low-profile vent with 50 square inches of free ventilation area. It, too, can be made to match existing hole sizes.

Other Roof Vent Accessories

Except for the UV456 Bathroom-Dryer Vent, all the roof vents discussed in this article may require a vent pipe/hose connection. Attaching an exhaust pipe/hose will guarantee positive airflow and prevent air intake into the attic space.

In such cases, use our Universal Roof Vent Adaptor. The adaptor is compatible with any vent that has a flush flange. Made of galvanized metal, it is available in sizes from 4” (102 mm) to 8” (203 mm), although custom sizes are available upon request.

Extend Your Building’s Lifespan With the Right Roof Vents

At Menzies, we design all our roof vents and accessories for durability, longevity, and seamless integration into nearly any roof slope and substrate. Our products will protect your attic space from heat, moisture buildup, wildlife, and leaks for many years.

Now that you know the type of roof vent you need visit our website and check our products section for more detailed information and related products.