Ember-resistant vents
Every opening in the roof is a door
Attic vents let the roof breathe, and they let embers in. A vent covered in fine, corrosion-resistant metal mesh does both jobs.
We count every opening on the roof and eaves, then replace or cover each with metal mesh with openings from 1/16 to 1/8 inch. We check that the attic still gets the airflow it needs. Your building department or inspector confirms the rule for your address.
Ridge, gable, eave and dormer vents all counted
Metal, not plastic
Photograph of each vent in your file
Where they are
Four kinds of vent we find
Ridge vents
A slot along the peak. The most open of the four, and the one with the most to gain from mesh.
Gable vents
Louvers in the end walls. Often wood or plastic, and often damaged.
Eave and soffit vents
Holes under the roof edge where air comes in, and where embers collect.
Roof-mounted vents
Box, turbine and pipe vents on the slope. Each one is replaced or covered.
The metal ones
What a mesh vent looks like on a roof
The vents on a metal roof can be as simple as a flange and a screen. Embers can't pass through what they can't fit into.
Fine mesh clogs with needles and dust, so we leave a note for the spring: a look, and a soft brush. We never recommend removing the mesh to clear a clog.
How the job runs
Four steps, vent by vent
- 01
Step 1: Count and map
A crew lead walks the roof and the eaves, and numbers every opening on a sketch.
- 02
Step 2: Check the airflow
We look at what the attic needs, so that small openings don't starve it.
- 03
Step 3: Replace or cover
Each vent gets a metal mesh version, or a mesh cover where the vent is sound.
- 04
Step 4: Photograph and file
One photo per vent, matched to the sketch, in your file and ready to send.
Have the vents counted
A crew lead counts every opening and writes down what each one needs.