High-Quality Aluminum Roof Vents Designed to Perform!
At Active Ventilation Products, we’re committed to delivering reliable, long-lasting roof vents and attic ventilation solutions built with quality materials and thoughtful engineering. As a U.S. manufacturer, we design and produce a full range of roof vents, solar attic fans, gravity vents, static vents, roof curbs, soffit vents, vent pipe caps, PVC pipe caps, roof scupper drains, and pitch pans—all crafted to support better airflow and healthier homes. We believe in providing homeowners, contractors, and roofers with ventilation products they can trust, purchased directly from the source at RoofVents.com, where durability, performance, and value come together.
Collections
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TPO Flashing Kits
(Patent Pending) TPO Flashing Kit for Ventilating TPO Roofs (Patent Pending) AVP's...
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Tubi Vent Pipe Caps for PVC Pipes Schedule 40 & Schedule 80
The Tubi Vent Cap for PVC Pipes, schedules 40 & 80, is...
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Under Eave Soffit Air Intake Vent
In order to exhaust heat from your roof, you need a soffit...
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Universal Vents Off-Ridge Vents
Ventilates Steep-Slope Roofs and Parapet Walls Universal Off-Ridge Vent: A Way to...
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Vent Pipe Caps
Vent Pipe Caps can be used as part of a plumbing system...
1. Why Choose Active Ventilation Products for Roof Ventilation?
You choose to use Active Ventilation Products for their quality and superior performance. Since Active Ventilation’s inception in 1997, Active has set itself apart from the competition by focusing on producing products fabricated to the highest standards. The quality is apparent in the tolerances upheld during parts production. The seams are tight, and the products look finished.
One feature that doesn’t get enough attention is that they use louvers instead of insect screen. It is difficult and expensive to produce louvers inside roof vents, but it is a superior feature and outperforms insect screen when measuring airflow while keeping out pests and animals.
2. Key Things to Look for in Roofing Products
You don’t have to be a trained machinist to tell good products from bad. As a homeowner or property manager, review the roof vents you’re considering for installation. Ask yourself whether these products look well-made. Many roof accessories at local hardware stores can be in poor condition. If something looks wrong or damaged, ask questions. Remember—roof vents protect the home from the weather, and your home is one of your most significant investments.
3. What Makes AVP Unique? (Design, Colors, Customization)
Active Ventilation Products (AVP) roof vents are engineered to withstand wind pressures exceeding 200 mph due to their aerodynamic round design. Common square vents can’t do that. The round profile is one of the distinguishing features that makes an AVP vent instantly recognizable.
AVP roof vents are also customizable. With over 40 colors to choose from, plus options for size and height, AVP offers customization unmatched in the industry—one reason architects and engineers rely on them.
4. How AVP Supports Its Products
Active Ventilation Products (AVP) is the only roof vent manufacturer with several lines of passive roof vents UL-listed. Many product lines also hold:
- Miami-Dade County approval
- Florida State approval
- Texas Department of Insurance approval
This demonstrates AVP’s commitment to rigorous testing and compliance.
5. How Do I Figure Out What Ventilation My House Needs?
Active Ventilation Products offers a ventilation calculator for each size and model of roof vent they manufacture, allowing you to ventilate your home or building to code.
Basics
6. FAQ: General Roofing Questions
What is a roof vent, and why is it important?
A roof vent allows air to flow into or out of an attic or roof cavity. It regulates temperature and moisture.
How do roof vents work?
They prevent heat buildup in summer and moisture in winter. They extend shingle life and improve overall energy efficiency.
Which Type of roof vent is the Best?
Depends on roof type, pitch, size, and climate.
What is the difference between intake and exhaust ventilation?
Intake vents (at the eaves/soffits) bring cooler, drier air into the attic.
Exhaust vents (ridge vents, gable vents, roof vents) allow hot, moist air to escape.
How much ventilation does my roof need? (IBC Section 1202.2)
(IBC Section 1202.2) This establishes:
Enclosed attics and rafter spaces must be ventilated.
Minimum NFVA requirements:
1/150 of attic area, or
1/300 when certain criteria are met.
Are roof vents required by code?
It depends on the attic type.
- Traditional attics require ventilation to avoid moisture buildup.
- Sealed/conditioned attics use air-impermeable insulation at the roof deck and therefore do not require ventilation.
Active vs. Passive Ventilation
Active = motorized.
Passive = no moving parts.
Comparisons: Turbines vs. Ridge Vents vs. Solar Fans vs. Static Vents
Turbine Vents: high airflow; some consider them unattractive
Solar Fans: highest airflow but more expensive
Static Vents: more airflow than ridge vents
Ridge Vents: aesthetically preferred but lowest airflow
Types of Roof Vents
1. Exhaust Vents
Ridge Vents – continuous exhaust at the peak
Static (Box/Louver) Vents – passive square/rectangular units
Turbine Vents – wind-driven turbines, high airflow
Powered (Electric or Solar) Vents – motorized airflow
Gable Vents (as exhaust) – mounted on gable ends
Dormer Vents – decorative, functional airflow
Cupola Vents – architectural and functional
2. Intake Vents
Soffit Vents – most common intake
Fascia Vents – for limited soffit space
Over-Fascia Vents – low-profile rooflines
Drip-Edge Vents – built into metal drip edges
7. Installation
Can roof vents be installed on any roof?
Yes, roof vents can be installed on most roof types and pitches, but not every vent works on every roof.
The suitability depends on the roof pitch, roofing material, and vent design. Some vents require a minimum slope to prevent leaks, while others work on low-slope or even flat roofs.
Where should roof vents be placed?
Exhaust vents should be placed on the upper portion of the roof on or near the peak, because hot air rises.
Air intake vents should be placed on the lower portion of the roof, mainly by the soffit of the roof.
How many vents do I need?
Active Ventilation Products has a ventilation calculator on its website that helps people determine how many vents they need on their roof.
Can I install roof vents myself, or do I need a professional?
Either is acceptable, but it is recommended that you hire an experienced roofer to do the job.
Do roof vents require maintenance after installation?
Passive vents with no moving parts require no maintenance; however, roof turbine vents do, as their bearings wear out.
8. Performance
Will roof vents reduce attic heat?
Roof vents can remove attic heat, but only to a certain extent.
They help keep an attic cooler, but they cannot eliminate all heat gain from the sun. Look at a car on a hot summer day, for example, even when you open the windows a couple of inches to remove the excess heat, your vehicle still gets hot anyway. The open windows cool your car off to some degree, but do not eliminate the heat of the sun altogether.
Do roof vents help lower energy bills?
They don’t work like air conditioning, but they do improve attic temperature, reducing the heat load on the home, which helps the air conditioning work during the summer. During winter, the roof vents help keep the attic insulation dry, so it is more effective at keeping the home warm below it.
Can roof vents help prevent ice dams?
Yes, roof vents are effective at preventing ice dams. By ventilating the attic, cool, dry air prevents the snow from melting and refreezing, which is how ice dams form.
Will wind or storms damage my roof vent?
It depends on how intense the storms are and how well-made your roof vent is. Active Ventilation Products Inc. offers roof vents rated for wind pressures exceeding 200 mph. That is the highest rating in the industry. Those roof vents should be able to handle your typical range of storms, except for projectiles that can be carried by wind or extensive hail.
Are roof vents noisy?
Passive vents with no moving parts operate silently; however, roof turbine vents make noise as their bearings wear. The roof vents squeak and vibrate, which can be perceived as a nuisance.
9. Weather & Protection
Are roof vents waterproof?
Roof vents are designed to be water-resistant, not 100% waterproof.
A properly installed roof vent should prevent rain, snow, and wind-driven precipitation from entering—but the vent itself is not a sealed, watertight object. Instead, it relies on design, flashing, and roof pitch to keep water out.
Building codes (IRC R903 and R806; IBC 1503 and 1202) require that roof penetrations—including vents—be weathertight and installed per manufacturer instructions.
This means the vent must resist water intrusion but does not need to be fully waterproof, as a sealed container would.
Can roof vents let rain or snow inside?
- The roof vent is not installed correctly. For example, not using roof sealant under the flashing can lead to leakage.
- The vent was installed for the wrong application. For example, installing a ridge vent designed for a roof pitch of 3/12 or greater on a roof with a 2/12 roof pitch.
- Installing a vent that came damaged
How do roof vents perform in high-wind areas?
Generally, in today's marketplace, most roof vents perform well in high-wind areas. Some manufacturers, like Active Ventilation Products, have undergone rigorous testing to ensure optimal performance. Their roof vents are UL Listed, Dade County Approved, Texas Department of Insurance Approved, and Florida State Approved. Many of the products they offer have wind pressure ratings over 200 mph.
Are roof vents resistant to hail or UV damage?
Some roof vents handle hail and UV very well; others don’t.
It depends on the material, design, and quality of the vent. In short, metal vents fare best overall against the elements. Even if plastic vents perform well when new, they eventually become brittle and break.
Do roof vents attract pests or allow animals inside?
Usually, if the roof vent is damaged, animals or bugs can gain access to the inside. If it’s a cheap vent that doesn’t have an insect screen, or the screen is not firmly in place, that can lead to pest intrusion. Some animals have discovered how to break through plastic vents. It appears metal vents with louvers or insect screen protect the roof the best.
10. Product Differences
What materials are roof vents made of?
Most roof vents are made of steel, aluminum, copper, and plastic.
Do metal roof vents last longer than plastic roof vents?
Metal roof vents last longer than plastic roof vents. Metal roof vents can last the life of the roof or longer, whereas plastic vents typically last 10-25 years or less in harsh climates.
What size roof vent should I choose?
The “right size” of roof vent depends less on the physical dimensions and more on how much net free air‑flow area (vent area) you need, which depends on your attic size, roof design, and whether you have balanced intake and exhaust vents.
How long do roof vents typically last?
Metal roof vents last longer than plastic roof vents. Metal roof vents can last the life of the roof, which can be 30 years or longer, whereas plastic vents typically last 10-25 years or less in harsh climates.
11. Solar Roof Fans
Solar fans — as the name suggests — are fans powered by solar panels, converting sunlight into electricity so they don’t draw from your home’s grid. The electricity generated from the panel powers the fan.
Solar fans can be used for various purposes: attic ventilation, greenhouse ventilation, outdoor use (patios, decks), sheds/garages, or even mobile uses like RVs.
Main benefits:
- Zero electricity cost after installation — the “fuel” (sunlight) is free.
- Eco-friendly and more sustainable than electric fans.
- Improved ventilation for attics helps reduce heat buildup, lower cooling loads, reduce moisture, and risk of mold/ice damming.
- Portability (for portable/ outdoor models) — no wiring, so useful for off-grid or temporary setups.
Trade-offs/limitations:
Depend on sunlight: on cloudy days or at night, they may not run (unless battery-equipped or hybrid).
- Less powerful than big electric fans — may struggle with very large attics or heavy ventilation demands.
- Higher initial cost than a small standard fan (though long-term savings often justify it).
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How do solar roof fans work?
The solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, which in turn powers the fan.
Do solar attic fans run at night or in cloudy conditions?
Solar Fans will not run at night unless they have a backup battery that is charged during the day. As for cloudy days, it depends on many factors. What season it is, what time of day it is, what direction the panel is facing, and how bright the sky is.
Do solar attic fans require wiring?
No, they do not, and that is one of the many benefits of solar fans. They are installed like a passive (non-motorized) vent.
How much attic space can one solar fan ventilate?
Since solar fans work duing the day and not at night and because of the fact that many do not run on cloudy days, or if they do they do not run as fast, you should calculate your solar fans like passive roof vents and rely on the NFA of the product and use IBC’s 1/300 calculation method to ensure you are getting the right amount of ventilation.
12. Warranty & Service
We warrant our roof vents for five years from the date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship. Our warranty remedies are limited to repair or replacement at our sole discretion. It is offered exclusively to the original owner and is valid only within the continental United States. This warranty excludes damage caused by misuse, improper installation, accidental damage, or any modification to the product. It is also void if the product is used in any application other than its intended design.
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Are roof vents covered if damaged in a storm?
No
Do I need to register my product for warranty?
No
13. Purchasing & Support
Can I use roof vents on new construction and existing roofs?
Any of Active Ventilation's products can be used on both new construction and old construction. For older structures, the roof deck must be in good condition to be used for a roof vent installation.
Are your roof vents made in the USA?
Yes all our roof vents are proudly manufactured in the USA.
How do I know which roof vent to choose for my home?
It depends on the type and size of your roof. The roof pitch and the climate the home is in are also factors. Using a roof vent calculator from roofvents.com can help guide you in ventilating according to the IBC building code.
14. References
International Residential Code (IRC) – Section R806, Roof Ventilation Requirements.
U.S. Department of Energy – Home Ventilation Systems (Building Technologies Office publications).
CertainTeed Roofing – Principles of Attic Ventilation, technical brochure.
GAF Roofing – Attic Ventilation: A Guide for Building Professionals.
Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng. – Builder’s Guide to Cold Climates, Building Science Press.
International Building Code (IBC), Section 1202.2 “Attic and Rafter Ventilation”.
International Building Code (IBC) Section 1202.3 “Unvented attic and unvented enclosed rafter assemblies”.
