Roof fans just make me nervous, especially on older shingles. Even if you get the flashing perfect, there’s always that lingering “what if” when the next big rainstorm hits. I’ve seen too many folks patching around roof penetrations after a few years, and sometimes the water sneaks in where you least expect it. Gable fans can be a pain for airflow, yeah, but I’d rather tweak vent placement than compromise my roof deck.
I’m also a big fan of passive solutions—ridge vents and good soffit ventilation have done wonders for me. Less moving parts to fail, no extra holes up top, and you avoid all that electrical hassle. Sure, active fans can help in some setups (especially huge attics), but I’d take a slower approach over risking leaks or voiding a warranty. Maybe it’s just my bias after seeing what water damage does to insulation and framing... If you’re in a wet climate or your shingles are past their prime, cutting into the roof feels like rolling the dice.
I hear you on the roof fans—cutting into an older shingle roof always makes me uneasy, too. Even with a solid install, there’s just more risk for leaks down the line, especially if the shingles are already brittle or curling. I’ve managed a few properties where roof penetrations became a headache after a couple of years, and tracking down a slow leak is never fun. Water finds the weirdest paths.
Gable fans aren’t perfect, but at least you’re not messing with the roof deck itself. I’ve had better luck tweaking soffit and ridge vent setups, especially on houses with decent attic space and airflow. Passive systems just seem to hold up longer—less maintenance, fewer moving parts, and you don’t have to worry about electrical issues or warranties getting voided.
That said, I’ve seen active fans make a real difference in some larger attics where passive just couldn’t keep up, especially in hot climates. But for most older homes, I’d rather avoid new holes in the roof unless there’s no other option. Water damage is just too expensive to gamble with.
Water finds the weirdest paths.
You nailed it there—water’s sneaky. I’ve seen leaks show up 10 feet from the actual penetration, just because of how it travels under old shingles. I’m always wary of cutting into a roof that’s already seen a few hailstorms or has brittle spots. Even with a pro install, you’re rolling the dice long-term.
Gable fans aren’t perfect, but at least you’re not risking a warranty fight with your shingle manufacturer if something goes sideways. I do think people sometimes underestimate how much a well-designed passive system can do, especially if you tweak insulation and airflow. But yeah, in the South or Southwest, sometimes you just need that extra push from an active fan to keep the attic from turning into an oven.
Still, if there’s any doubt about shingle condition or flashing quality, I’d rather patch up gable ends than risk another roof leak claim. Water damage is brutal—mold, ruined insulation, warped decking... not worth it for most older homes.
if there’s any doubt about shingle condition or flashing quality, I’d rather patch up gable ends than risk another roof leak claim.
Same here. My roof’s about 18 years old, and after the last hailstorm, I’m not keen on punching any more holes in it. Gable fan’s been doing the job for me—maybe not perfect airflow, but at least I’m not stressing over leaks every time it rains. Passive vents plus a gable fan seems like a solid combo if your attic gets too hot. Not worth risking water damage just for a few degrees cooler.
I totally get the hesitation about cutting into the roof, especially with older shingles. Once you start messing with those, it’s hard to guarantee you won’t end up with a leak down the line—flashing can only do so much if the base material is already compromised. I’ve seen more than a few “quick” roof vent installs turn into ongoing patch jobs after a couple of seasons.
Gable fans are definitely easier to swap out or upgrade, and if you already have passive vents up top, you can usually get a decent cross-breeze without risking water intrusion. Only thing I’d add is to watch out for air short-circuiting—sometimes the fan just pulls air from the nearest vent instead of drawing it all the way across the attic. I had to block off one of my old soffit vents to get better airflow from end to end.
If your attic’s still roasting in summer, maybe double-check insulation and make sure nothing’s blocking those passive vents. Sometimes it’s not just about more fans. But yeah, unless your roof is brand new or you’re already re-shingling, I’d stick with gable mount every time.
