There are two types of roof vents recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA): Exhaust vents and air intake vents. NRCA describes exhaust vents as a means to ventilate steep-slope roofs by allowing outside air to enter and exit attic through ventilation spaces.

Intake vents are used to allow air to enter attics and ventilation spaces. Intake vents and exhaust vents can be used together to take advantage of natural convection, the NRCA explains. The organization recommends locating intake vents along a roof assembly’s lowest eave near soffits or eaves.

The NRCA recommends some of the more commonly used products:

• Continuous soffit vents
• Individual soffit vents
• Drip edge or eave vents