Roof vents are becoming more and more important for modern day houses.
Because new builds require roof tile ventilation to pass building regulations, and owners of older homes are installing roof vents to improve ventilation.
There are many different types of roof vents for houses on the market.
And each option has its good and bad points, which I'm going to point out and use to give a rating out of five.
But what are the best types of roof vents? Let's quickly go through them here to save you some time.
In fact, I'll save you even more time by giving you the best ones first.
Best Types of Roof Vents for Houses
1. Roof Tile Vents
Roof tile vents are by far the easiest professional solution to roof ventilation problems.
They are easy to fit either during the process of installing a new roof, or retrofitting to older existing roofs. One vent replaces one tile.
There are roof tile vents designed to fit most tile profiles on the market.
You can buy them in the same colour as your existing roof tiles to maintain the appearance of your roof.
If you're venting your extractor fan through your roof, a roof tile vent is almost certainly your best solution. They're an excellent way to stop bathroom condensation.
How Roof Tile Vents Work
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install | Must be fitted externally |
| Look good with multiple colour options | |
| Available for most types of roof tile |
Cost per unit: £29.99 - £69.99
Installation cost: £150 - £250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Slate Vents
Slate vents are specifically designed to replace the slates on a slate roof.
Slates come in 2 standard sizes - 600 x 300mm (24 x 12 inch) and 500 x 250 mm (20 x 10 inch).
You can get them in plastic and sometimes real slate. They have a grille and underbase that allow air to flow through the vent and out of the roof.
Most slate vents have the option of a pipe adaptor fitting to create a connection for bathroom extractor fans and soil vent pipes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to fit | Must be fitted from the outside |
| Look better than cowl vents |
Cost per unit: £29.99 - £54.99
Installation cost: £150 - £250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Cowl Vents
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install | Doesn't look great |
| Prevents draughts and wind-driven rain | Breaks appearance of roof |
| Prevents entry of bugs and insects |
Cost per unit: £30 - £40
Installation cost: £150 - £250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Lap Vents
Lap vents slip in between an overlap in the horizontal under-sarking inside the loft, providing an air path for the wind blowing up the face of the roof outside.
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple, easy, and effective | Safe floor in loft needed to work on for internal fitting |
| Can install from inside - no need for external access or getting on the ladder | Might not provide as much ventilation as roof ventilation tiles |
Cost per unit: £2 (multiple quantity needed)
Installation cost: £150 - £250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐⭐
5. Fascia Vents
Fascia vents are installed over the fascia boards to provide low level ventilation.
They could offer a better alternative to soffit vents, because soffit vents can accumulate dust and debris.
This can require regular maintenance and cleaning work.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can't see them like soffit vents | Not an easy DIY option |
| Mesh keeps out insects | Can leave little space for guttering install |
| Can be blocked by loft insulation |
Cost per unit: £2 - £4 per metre length
Installation cost: £150-£250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐
6. Soffit Vents
Soffit vents are installed under the eaves of a roof.
They let fresh air up into the loft to improve air circulation. This prevents loft air from going stale.
When combined with roof ventilation tiles they work efficiently to draw air in through the soffit vents and exhaust warmer air through the ventilation tiles.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install | Designed for air intake |
| Unlikely to be blocked by snow | Different roof vents needed to exhaust air |
Cost (singular): £0.50 - £1 (multiple quantity needed)
Cost (continuous): £5 - £10 per 2.4 metre length
Installation cost: £150-£250 (day rate for professional roofer)
Product rating: ⭐⭐
7. Dry Ridge Vents
Dry ridge vents can be used on the apex of a roof to provide high level ventilation and exhaust moisture.
Dry ridge vents aren’t really designed to be used as vents alone. They are more of an exit point than a source of ventilation.
They can be used in combination with other forms of lower level ventilation such as eaves vents or soffit vents, fascia vents, or roof ventilation tiles.
| Pros | Cons |
| If positioned on the apex of the roof with the felt or under-sarking suitably cut immediately beneath, they do provide excellent natural air movement | If you live in an exposed location and have large soffit vents as well, ridge tile vents have been known to cause too much ventilation on very windy days, possibly blowing the insulation about near the edges |
Cost per unit: £40 - £60
Installation cost: £150-£250
Keep in mind that ridge vents may require scaffolding to install, which could increase costs significantly.
Product rating: ⭐⭐
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our guide for the best types of roof vents for houses!
Yes, we're probably biased, but we really think we make the best product for venting your loft or venting your bathroom extractor fan through the roof.
Because they're inexpensive and look great on your roof.
And not only can they be used for loft ventilation but they work perfectly as extractor fan roof vents.