Aug 27, 2026 · 10 min · 9 segments
Send us Fan Mail Attic gable vents often cause more harm than good. Learn why these vents can ruin your roof ventilation and airflow efficiency…
Michael ChurchHost

Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, houses were built a lot differently than they are today.

They were drafty, they weren't usually insulated much, and they naturally moved a lot of air.

And because those houses leaked air everywhere, the attics tended to dry out on their own.

Then as homes became more modern and the architecture changed, Gable vents became the go-to solution.

They were inexpensive and easy to frame, and for the houses being built at the time, they did an okay job.

We started insulating attics, air sealing homes, and making them much tighter.

Building science showed us that a balanced system with fresh air coming in low through the soffits and warm air exhausting high through the ridge vent provides much more consistent ventilation for modern homes.

Now, to understand why, you've got to understand what a properly vented attic actually means.

It needs an air inlet, usually the soffits under the eaves, an air outlet, usually the ridge vent running the length of the roof, and you need to allow the air to move from one to the other.


Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, houses were built a lot differently than they are today.

They were drafty, they weren't usually insulated much, and they naturally moved a lot of air.

And because those houses leaked air everywhere, the attics tended to dry out on their own.

Then as homes became more modern and the architecture changed, Gable vents became the go-to solution.

They were inexpensive and easy to frame, and for the houses being built at the time, they did an okay job.

We started insulating attics, air sealing homes, and making them much tighter.

Building science showed us that a balanced system with fresh air coming in low through the soffits and warm air exhausting high through the ridge vent provides much more consistent ventilation for modern homes.

Now, to understand why, you've got to understand what a properly vented attic actually means.

It needs an air inlet, usually the soffits under the eaves, an air outlet, usually the ridge vent running the length of the roof, and you need to allow the air to move from one to the other.
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