It is important to have
adequate ventilation in your attic to help lower your cooling costs
during the summer and to help prevent moisture from condensing.
Moisture can ruin your insulation or help the wood in your attic
to rot. There are several vents and systems that are designed to
help alleviate these problems. One of them is gable vents.
Gable vents are installed below the peak of the roof as near to
the peak as possible to maximize their effectiveness. Gable vents
can be installed either flush or recessed. They come in many shapes
so that you can choose a style that enhances the appearance of
your home. Not only do they come in the traditional triangular
shapes, they are available in squares, rectangles, half-ovals,
and circles. Many companies have even more visually interesting
gable vents for sale or will custom make your gable vents for you.
Gable vents also come in different colors so that you can complement
or contrast the exterior colors of your home if you choose.
The concept behind gable vents is simple. Air flows in through
them, ventilating your attic. However, to be completely effective
in ventilating your whole attic, wind must hit your gable vent
directly and be strong enough to push the air in your attic all
the way through to the gable vent on the opposite side. Using gable
vents as the only ventilation in your attic might create hot spots
where air is not circulated properly. Therefore, many experts suggest
using gable vents in conjunction with other types of ventilation.
