Roof mounted units
When there is no gable to work with
Hip roofs and many Valley tract homes have little or no gable wall available. A roof-mounted exhaust unit puts the ventilation where the heat actually collects — at the ridge.
Placement decides performance
Roof units belong high on the rear slope, near but not at the ridge, and away from the prevailing wind side so the fan is not fighting pressure. Placing one low on a slope leaves the hottest layer of attic air sitting undisturbed above it.
Spacing matters when more than one unit is used. Two fans placed too close to each other short-circuit — each pulls from the other’s discharge instead of from the attic.
Flashing is where roofs fail
Every roof penetration is a future leak if it is done casually. We flash under the course above, seal mechanically rather than relying on sealant alone, and match the detail to your roof type — composition, tile or low-slope.
- Penetration cut to the unit’s throat, not oversized
- Flashing woven into the shingle courses above
- Fasteners sealed, no surface-caulk-only details
- Tile roofs: lifted and reset, not broken through
Questions we get about roof mounted fans
Will a roof fan void my roof warranty?
Properly flashed penetrations generally do not, but if your roof is under an active manufacturer or installer warranty, tell us and we will coordinate.
Roof mounted or gable mounted?
Gable is simpler and cheaper when you have a usable gable wall with good exposure. Roof mounting wins on hip roofs and when you need the intake higher in the attic volume.