Arch Top Vents Are an Elegant Option for Helping Heat Escape the Attic

Round top or Arch top vents are a fairly new comer to gable vent industry.  But their popularity is on the rise.  A curved top vent combines the elegance of a round vent with the classic look of a conventional gable end vent.  Round top or Arch top vents definitely compliment the look of the new style of windows that are being used while still lending themselves to building wanting the more medieval facade.  But as with all gable vents round top or arched top vent are first and foremost functional.

Vents with round or arched tops work well placed high on attic walls. This is where heat and moisture accumulates and begins it destructive reactions.  If not allowed to escape from the attic space, heat and moisture can cause mold and mildew.  Without proper venting as provided with round top vents and louvers, heat can build up in the attic and cause shingles to cup, curl and break.  This type of action drastically shortens the life of a roof.  It should be noted that many shingle manufactures will not warranty their shingles if installed on roofs with improperly vented attic spaces.

Proper venting with round top or arch top vents is also important in the winter months.  Unlike roof or ridge venting, which is susceptible to being closed off by snow and ice, a curved attic gable vent will remain open and functioning.  But why is attic ventilation important in the winter months?  Simple, no matter how much insulation an attic has, some heat will escape through it.  This heat then warms the underside of the roof causing the snow resting on it to start to melt.  As it melts, the water will flow down until it reaches the overhang part of the roof.  Here there is no warm underside, so the water freezes there forming an ice dam.  And we all know how damaging an ice dam can be to a roof and the ceilings below.  Installing round top or arch top vents allows the escaping heat to be harmlessly vented away to the outside.