Turbine vents are kind of a mixed bag, honestly. They do move air pretty well, but I’ve seen a few get mangled after a big hailstorm—especially the older aluminum ones. The newer steel models seem to hold up better, but yeah, in a really wild wind event, they can get noisy or even spin off if they’re not installed right. I get the worry about hail busting through vents; I’ve patched more than a few after storms. If you’re in an area that gets hammered by hail, you might want to look into those low-profile ridge vents with reinforced covers. They’re not perfect either, but at least they don’t catch as much wind or flying debris. It’s always a balancing act between airflow and weatherproofing...
- Had the same debate when I moved in—turbine vs ridge vents. Ended up with ridge vents mostly because I got tired of hearing the neighbor’s turbine squeal every time the wind kicked up.
- My area gets hail the size of golf balls (seriously, my grill still has dents), so anything sticking up is a target.
- Ridge vents with the metal covers seem to survive storms better, but I did notice the attic gets a bit warmer in summer. Trade-off, I guess.
- Also, if you go with turbines, make sure they’re anchored well. Buddy of mine found his halfway down the street after a storm... not ideal.
- Still learning, but so far, low-profile seems less drama, even if airflow isn’t perfect.
Ridge vents with the metal covers seem to survive storms better, but I did notice the attic gets a bit warmer in summer. Trade-off, I guess.
That’s been my experience too—ridge vents are just less hassle overall, but you definitely feel the heat build up in the attic during July and August. I’ve managed a couple properties with both setups, and honestly, turbines are great for airflow but they're magnets for hail and high winds. I’ve seen more than one get ripped clean off during a decent storm... not just noisy, but actual projectiles.
One thing I’d add: check your insurance policy if you’re in a hail zone. Some companies get real picky about what kind of roof damage they’ll cover, especially if you’ve got “non-standard” venting systems or anything that looks like it could be a maintenance issue. Had a tenant once who thought their turbine was covered, but the adjuster blamed “improper installation”—it was a headache.
If you’re worried about the attic getting too hot, attic fans can help, but then you’re back to having something sticking up on the roof. Like you said, it’s all trade-offs... I lean low-profile too, even if it means sweating a little more in the summer.
I get the appeal of ridge vents—less to blow off in a storm, and they do look cleaner. But I’m not convinced the heat buildup is just a “sweating a little more in the summer” kind of trade-off, especially if you’re in a climate where attic temps can hit 130+ degrees. That kind of heat can cook your shingles from the underside and drive up AC bills fast. I’ve seen folks with newer roofs end up with warped decking or premature shingle curling, just because the attic couldn’t breathe enough.
Turbines are definitely a risk in hail country, no argument there. But I’d take a well-installed, heavy-duty turbine (the kind with reinforced bearings and thicker gauge metal) over a basic ridge vent in places where airflow really matters. Had a neighbor who replaced his turbines with ridge vents after a bad storm—his attic started running 15 degrees hotter, and he ended up putting in solar-powered fans anyway. Kind of defeats the “low-profile” idea if you’re adding more hardware later.
Insurance is a whole other headache. You’re spot on about adjusters looking for any excuse to deny claims. I’ve had them question everything from vent placement to shingle overlap after hail. If you’re worried about coverage, sometimes it’s worth paying extra for impact-rated components (vents included), even if they’re not the prettiest option.
Not saying turbines are perfect—far from it—but I wouldn’t write them off entirely. Sometimes it comes down to picking your poison: risk of storm damage vs. long-term heat issues. And honestly, I’d rather patch a hole than replace half my roof because the attic turned into an oven year after year... but maybe that’s just me being stubborn about airflow.
- I hear you on attic heat, but I’ve seen ridge vents work well if the soffit vents are sized right and not blocked by insulation.
- Turbines can move more air, but I’ve also inspected a few that leaked after a couple years—especially if the flashing wasn’t perfect.
- In mixed climates, I’ve had folks try gable vents plus ridge vents for a little extra airflow without adding turbines.
- Not saying it’s foolproof, but sometimes it’s less about the vent type and more about the whole system working together.
- If you’re in hail alley, impact-rated ridge vents are out there now—might be worth a look before writing them off.
