I am replacing my roof in Colorado because of hail damage. I am considering upgrading my roof louvers. What about solar roof vents?

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I am replacing my roof in Colorado because of hail damage. I am considering upgrading my roof louvers. What about solar roof vents?

Asked by Steve Cottle

My roof is 15 years old and has standard roof louvers and soffit vents. I have doubled my attic insulation over the past two years so it is well insulated. I am considering solar vents but based upon your comments about discharging more air out of the attic than is coming in I am now wondering if just larger roof louvers is a better investment.

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Sean Lintow Sr's picture

For solar powered or even worse electric powered attic fans the answer is simple - Don't do it I got to ask - Standard roof louvers as in "gable end" louvers - not ridge vent? Traditionally soffit venting is combined with turtle vents &/or ridge vents (not louvered) but I don't see an issue there. Mixing ridge & louver is very debatable but I would recommend choosing one instead of utilizing both. Being in snow country I would generally stick with louvers. With all that being said, why are you worried or think you really need to increase the ventilation up there? It's hot - it is an attic & that is why we have insulation. I get ice-dams or have moisture issues - you need to fix the problem first, not apply a Band-Aid. In this case the issue is you need to reduce the air-leakage & maybe improper installation of the insulation. For more: http://thehtrc.com/2011/rip-solar-powered-attic-ventilators

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