Air vents improve airflow and circulation for a home. They are essential to removing warm air in the summer and must be placed on opposite sides to be most effective. What is the fix if both vents are on the same side? Outdoor design expert and Dream Team member Carson Arthur helps one reader with this situation.
Q: I have roof vents installed on both sides of my open gable roof. We bought our house a few years ago now, and I stumbled upon the banks inspection of our house. They made a note that the roof vents shouldn’t be installed across from each other because it normally doesn’t allow the attic to breathe properly. My question is, can I plug up one side of these vents with something to stop it from ventilating from one side of my roof? It gets very hot in my attic in the summers, to the point of it melting some weaker plastics. I guess I was wondering if plugging up one side of these vents would help fix that issue too.
– Jared J
A: I have a really easy answer for you ‘Never plug a vent, it will only cause you issues down the road’. The inspector was identifying that the optimal way to install roofing vents is across from each other to allow for more even airflow and circulation. Having two vents on the same side of your home isn’t perfect, but it is definitely better than having only one. I might consider hiring a reputable contractor to add one more on the other side of the roof to not only increase your airflow, but also to help with your hot attic.
– Carson Arthur