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In rare attic spaces, having just 2 gable vents will provide adequate ventilation. If one vent brings in cool air in the morning for the other to vent out the hot air and flip-flop in the evening. Gable vents are designed to freely allow air to pass through the wall area into or out of the attic to keep it cooler. But in most cases, soffit vents or cornice vents will better bring in cool air to force the hot air out. No matter what, there has to be 2 vented areas for this natural ventilation to work.

 

What is the difference in a custom gable vent and a standard gable vent?

In the world of new construction, there is an advantage of using standard size gable vents that are readily available in most hardware stores. These vents are usually rectangle or triangle and primed white for painting. New construction has only the issue with proper ventilation and having enough net free air flow. Unfortunately, the standard gable vents found local may be too small for adequate venting of most projects and roofs. Common sizes include the 12 x 18 x 1 with a front nail fin. Usually the largest will be a 24 x 30 x 1 if it is a stock size. Contractors will buy these in bulk to save on remodels and new builds. Keeping this in mind, the common measures of yester year may differ from today. 50 years ago, a contractor grade vent was usually 24 x 30 for example. And today these are commonly 23 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches. These will still fit if they can be found. The real issue is when an old vent is smaller slightly than the new stock gable vent options. So the new options become a choice of cutting the hole larger to install a standard vent or to save the time and trouble of extra work and just order a custom size gable vent that will fit and work properly.

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/What-is-the-difference-in-a-custom-gable-vent-and-a-standard-gable-vent.php

 

Is vertical soffit in a gable considered a good gable vent?

No! Vertical soffit is not a gable vent nor does it provide any ventilation for the attic. And this is why...

This triangle vent size is porportionate to the gable and attic space to be vented. The problem is the blockage caused by the almost solid panels restricting the airflow.

The tiny perferations in the perferated soffit panels is designed for cornice or overhang use, not gables. Gentle breezes will enter the tiny holes but heat needs a lot more open space to properly escape. In most cases, these panels will distort or melt under these extreme heats. Once the soffit panels start to heat warp, they will bow outwards and become loose in the j channel. Eventually they may fall out. Preferably before causing the attic to catch fire. This is why it is so important to use metal gable vents designed to vent the maximum amount of heat the quickest from the attic. Another issue with perferated soffit vents can be dust. Just a tiny amount of dust can clog these minute holes and prevent breathing completely. When vinyl siding installers install vertical soffit vents, they may actually endanger you and your home. More attic fires start from improper ventilation than one might think. If you notice a drastic change in your heating and cooling throughout the year, it may be your home warning you your attic is not breathing correctly and is not happy.

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/Is-vertical-soffit-in-a-gable-a-vent.php

Do gable vents need to be dusted?

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/Do-gable-vents-need-to-be-dusted.php

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/Do-gable-vents-need-to-be-dusted.php

Believe it or not, the screen on the back of the vent will stay pretty clean just by the normal and natural blowing winds. But if dust starts collecting from low speed winds or times of no winds blowing, a shop vac can be used from inside the attic and gently touch the screen to suck the dust off. If too much builds up in the tiny perferations it can block the benneficial airflow that is needed to cool the attic. Once a year it is a good idea to clean your dryer vent and ventahood filters. This would also be a good time to look at the screens on the rear of the gable vents. But never use a damp rag to remove this dust as it will actually create an enviroment to attract dust and make it cling more.

Another common blockage issue is storing boxes in the attic. Anything that stops or detours airflow in an attic or loft can affect the ventillation. Having large enough gable vents will still do no good if they are blocked. Also, cardboard boxes and Christmas decorations make good kindling for high temperature attics to spark and catch fire. Temperatures reaching 160 degrees can easily light it up. And after an attic goes up in flames, the entire home is destroyed. Spiderwebs or cobwebs can also be a hazzard in attics. Does this mean clean your attic everyday like your home? No. Checking once a year or having a vent cleaner (HVAC servicer) come in once a year to check the basics of the home will do and usually is called a prevention inspection. Just for the safety of your home and family just like taking your truck into a shop for an oil change and they check your transmission while there.

 https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/What-are-gable-vents-versus-attic-loft-roof-vents.php

First off ridge vent does not classify as a gable vent or roof vent. The small slot cut into the top ridge of a roof is all that vents from this product. Ridge vents can be used in addition to gable vents to add ventilation but should never be used as the only exhaust.

 Vent louvers (also called slats) are usually made at a 45 degree angle for rain to run down and stay outside the attic. The design is simple yet proven to be very effective over the centuries. The face or front of the louver acts as a stiffener to help brace against high winds. The louver then rises as it goes back for any rain collectd to run down. Then the rear is turned up so blowing rain will also be blocked.

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/How-do-gable-vents-keep-water-out.php

 Hot air attracts cooler air. So imagine a tornado swirling in the attic of hot air grabbing up cool air. This swirling motion isn't vertical though, it's horizontal. The vortex rolls over at the highest and hottest point of the attic just under the rafters. This allows the cooler air lower towards the attic floor to be swooped up slowly. As this hot air reaches a certian temperature, it will locate the gable vent and exit. The path of least resistance.

https://www.onyxxteriors.com/QA/Do-gable-vents-let-air-in-or-out.php