Save on Installing Roof Ventilation

Are you considering installing roof ventilation in your new home? There are many options and alternatives to choose from!

1. Wind Driven Roof Fans (Whirlybirds)

Image courtesy of www.ecosolarvents.com.au

2. Mains Powered Roof Vents

Image courtesy of www.preferredtrades.com.au

3. Solar Roof Vents

Image courtesy of sunshineskylights.com.au

4. Passive Roof Ventilation

Image courtesy of www.practicaldiy.com

• Wind-driven whirlybirds are not expensive to purchase, but you’ll need a lot of them to get results!
• Mains-powered roof vents require a power point in the roof space – and are more costly than Whirlybirds. They will also require a power socket to be installed on the roof if one doesn’t already exist.
• Solar roof ventilators are priced similarly to powered roof fans but don’t require an electrician to install them.

If you are looking at the overall cost of installation to install adequate roof ventilation you must take the following 4 options into consideration:

Image courtesy of www.bunnings.co.nz 

1. Purchase cost for the required number of units
2. The total installation cost for all units (value your own time)
3. Ease of installation – impacts significantly on the cost of your project (if you are paying somebody to do it)
4. Estimated quality of installation, which is essential to your peace of mind during wet weather. How will installers (or you) make it watertight?

Generally – the whirlybirds are easy to install – and what is available locally is generally suitable for installation on Australian roofs.
Powered roof vents and solar roof ventilators come with a variety of flashings, most of them designed for American roofs (shingles, see below image), making them very difficult and time-consuming to install on both tin and tile roofs in Australia. So if you are going for these options – make sure they are designed for your roof type!

Shingles Roof (Not Australian Home)

Passive vents are based on the fact that air expands when it is heated up. The sun shines on the roof and heats up the air inside the roof space. The passive vents then allow warm air to escape. the problem with the passive vent approach is that it only works when the temperature in the roof space is high – which means that it will not prevent the heat build-up – it will only take the edge off it. The effect will therefore always be limited – even if you install a large number of passive vents for roof ventilation.

So when you purchase your next roof ventilator – make sure you get a product that moves sufficient air to ventilate your roof space effectively, whilst being easy to install – so that it doesn’t take too long/cost too much and give you problems with leakage down the track!

If you’d like more info on the subject we’re always giving our free advice so send us a message in the ‘Ask  Us a Question’ tab!