People always think more venting is better, but it’s all about balance.
Nailed it. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain that more holes in the roof doesn’t mean better airflow—it just means more ways for trouble to sneak in. Had a job last fall where the homeowner added extra gable vents, thinking it’d help, but all it did was mess up the draw and actually made the attic hotter. It’s a tricky dance getting intake and exhaust working together, especially on older homes with weird framing. And yeah, green roofs are cool in theory, but most folks underestimate the upkeep. Always something new to learn with roofs... keeps me on my toes.
more holes in the roof doesn’t mean better airflow—it just means more ways for trouble to sneak in.
That’s the truth. I’ve had folks ask me if they can just “add a few more vents” like it’s seasoning on a steak. Next thing you know, you’re chasing leaks and squirrels have moved in. The balance is tricky, especially when you’re dealing with those older houses where nothing is square and every rafter seems to have its own opinion.
I’m curious—did you end up using ridge vents or stick with gables? I’ve seen ridge plus soffit work wonders, but only if the soffits aren’t blocked by ancient insulation or, worse, bird nests (don’t ask how I found out). And green roofs... yeah, they look great on Instagram until you’re up there pulling weeds and wondering why your ceiling is damp.
Anyone ever try those solar-powered attic fans? I keep seeing ads but can’t decide if they’re worth the hassle or just another gadget to break.
I get the hesitation about adding more holes, but I’ll be honest—when I moved in, my attic was basically a sauna and the only vent was a tiny gable on one end. I was worried about leaks too, but after pricing out a full ridge vent install (not cheap), I went with two solar attic fans instead. They weren’t magic, but they did drop the temp by about 10 degrees in summer. No leaks so far, and the squirrels haven’t figured them out yet.
Here’s what I learned: if you’re on a tight budget, those solar fans can be a decent middle ground. Just make sure you’ve got enough intake (like clear soffits) or you’ll end up pulling conditioned air from your house, which is a whole other headache. Also, don’t trust the “set it and forget it” pitch—mine needed cleaning after the first year because of pollen and dust.
Not saying they’re perfect, but for older houses where cutting a big ridge vent isn’t practical, they’re worth considering. Just keep expectations realistic and check them every season.
Yeah, I hear you on the ridge vent costs—those quotes can make your eyes water. I’ve seen a lot of folks go the solar fan route, especially in older houses where the roof’s already been patched a few times and nobody wants to mess with the structure any more than necessary. One thing I’d add: sometimes people forget about the wiring or placement, and end up with a fan that’s half in the shade all afternoon...which basically turns it into a fancy roof ornament. Also, I’ve seen a few where the flashing wasn’t done right and they leaked after a couple seasons, so it’s worth double-checking that install. Still, if you’re not ready to re-roof, it’s a pretty fair compromise.
That’s the truth about solar fans—if you stick one where it’s in the shade half the day, you’re basically giving the squirrels a new hangout spot. I went that route a couple years back, and the installer nearly put it behind the chimney...would’ve been useless. Ended up moving it to the south slope and it actually made a difference, but yeah, flashing is key. Leaky attic is a special kind of nightmare. Ridge vents were just too pricey for my 90s ranch, so this was the next best thing.
