Had a roof fan on my old place—let’s just say it was a magnet for every thunderstorm in the county. Flashing looked fine until one sideways rain, then I had a drip right onto my insulation. Gable fans seem less risky for leaks, but I swear mine sounded like it was trying to launch into orbit when the wind picked up. Anyone else notice gable fans get noisy in storms, or is that just my luck with old houses?
Man, I hear you on the gable fan noise. Had one in a rental that sounded like a jet engine any time the wind got above 20 mph—neighbors joked it was prepping for takeoff. Roof fans are leak magnets, though, especially if the flashing isn’t perfect or you get those sideways rains. I’ve seen more than a few insulation puddles thanks to those. Honestly, neither setup is perfect... but at least gable fans usually don’t drip on your head. Just wish they were quieter during storms.
I get the worry about roof fans leaking, but have you seen the newer low-profile models? Some of them have way better flashing and seals than what was around even ten years ago. I’ve actually seen more water stains from poorly sealed gable vents than from roof fans, especially in sideways rain. Maybe it’s just a regional thing—what kind of roof pitch are you dealing with?
Maybe it’s just a regional thing—what kind of roof pitch are you dealing with?
I get what you’re saying about the new low-profile models, but I’m still a bit gun-shy after dealing with a leaky roof fan on my old place. Even with “better flashing and seals,” it only takes one bad install or a freak ice storm to cause headaches. Gable vents can be tricky too, but at least you can get to them easier when something goes wrong. My roof’s got a pretty shallow pitch, so maybe that’s part of it... water just seems to hang around up there longer than I’d like.
That shallow pitch is always a headache, especially when you’re dealing with anything that pokes through the roof. I’ve had more than one “water feature” in an attic thanks to a supposedly well-sealed roof vent. Even with all the new flashing kits and fancy sealants, it feels like you’re just rolling the dice every time you cut another hole up there.
Gable fans are definitely easier to swap out or patch up if something goes sideways, but I’ve noticed they don’t always move air as evenly—at least not in some of the older houses I manage. Ever had issues with dead spots or hot corners? I’m also curious if anyone’s found a gable fan that isn’t obnoxiously loud... seems like every model I’ve tried sounds like a jet engine when it kicks on.
Anyway, for low-pitch roofs, I tend to lean toward gable mounts just because I’d rather deal with noise than leaks. But then again, maybe I’m just paranoid after too many soggy insulation jobs.
