I get where you’re coming from on the foam, but I’m not sure it’s as cut-and-dried as it seems. I’ve been following some of the newer intumescent spray foams—they’re supposed to char and self-extinguish when exposed to direct flame, and the off-gassing is a lot less toxic than the old stuff. Granted, I haven’t seen them tested in a full-on wildfire scenario either, but some of the lab data is promising. I guess my hesitation with mineral wool is the air sealing—no matter how much I stuff it, there are always little gaps, and that’s where you lose efficiency (and potentially let embers sneak in).
I do agree on the metal roof, though. We put one on after a close call a few years back, and it’s been solid. The noise during storms took some getting used to, but I’ll take that over worrying about flying embers any day. Gutter guards helped us too, but I still end up on a ladder every fall. If I had to pick one thing to spend more on, it’d be those ember-resistant vents—seems like a small detail, but they make a big difference. Wildfire-proof might be a stretch, but every layer helps.
That’s a good point about the air sealing with mineral wool—I’ve run into the same thing, especially around tricky corners or junctions. What I found helps is combining it with a high-temp caulk or sealant in the gaps. Not perfect, but better than just packing it in. Metal roofs really are a game changer for fire risk, though… We did a standing seam install last summer and the peace of mind is worth the extra noise. Ember vents are underrated for sure—tiny detail, but they stop so much trouble before it starts.
Funny timing—my neighbor and I were just comparing notes on ember vents last weekend. He swears by them, but I always wonder if they mess with airflow too much in the attic. Have you noticed any change in temps or moisture since you put yours in?
He swears by them, but I always wonder if they mess with airflow too much in the attic.
- Seen a lot of these go in lately, especially after last year’s fire season. They’re definitely catching on.
- Airflow is a legit concern. Some brands restrict more than others—depends on mesh size and how much debris builds up.
- Haven’t seen major attic temp spikes in most installs, but I have noticed a bit more dust and pollen getting trapped at the vent screens. That can mean more frequent cleaning.
- Moisture-wise, if your attic was borderline before (not enough venting), ember vents might tip it over into condensation territory. If you’ve got good soffit-to-ridge flow, usually not a big deal.
- Had one client who saw a small bump in summer attic temps, but nothing dramatic—maybe 3-4 degrees. He was in a pretty hot inland area though.
- If you’re worried, check for any musty smells or damp insulation after a few months. That’s usually the first sign something’s off.
Bottom line: they’re a solid safety upgrade, but worth double-checking your overall venting setup before and after. Sometimes it’s just a matter of adding a couple more vents to balance things out.
That’s a good breakdown. I’ve seen similar—no huge attic temp jumps, but sometimes you get those weird pockets of humidity if the venting wasn’t great to begin with. Curious if anyone’s tried pairing ember vents with powered attic fans? Wondering if that helps offset any extra restriction or just ends up pulling more dust through the mesh...