what is a gable vent

A gable vent is an exhaust vent located at both ends of the peak of a gabled roof, directly beneath the roof eaves on the sides of the house. They are designed to let air flow in and/or out of the attic of a home. Gable vents work by allowing hot air to flow out, while drawing cool air in, which helps to keep the attic cool while preventing moisture buildup. Typically, homes have at least two gable vents, but if there is more than one gable or peak in the roof, there are probably more vents. Gable vents are a type of passive vent found in the gable ends of a house. There is some debate about whether gable vents should be used in conjunction with other types of vents, such as ridge vents and soffit vents. Some roofing contractors discourage using a gable vent with ridge vent and soffit vents because a gable vent interrupts the proper airflow. However, according to Bruce Harley, technical director of Conservation Services Group in Westborough, Mass., there is no need to block the gable vents unless they are prone to collecting windblown rain and snow.