Gable Vent Questions
What is the difference between a gable vent and a louver?
On these parts the two words are used for the same thing. A gable vent is the piece in the gable wall. Louver describes the slatted face. Spectis catalog plates often say louvre, the spelling used on the drawings.
Do decorative gable vents actually ventilate?
Open ones do. The slats pass air. Closed ones have a solid face behind the slats, so they do not move air. They are there for the look.
What are Spectis vents made of?
Molded high-density polyurethane. It does not rot, and it cuts and fastens much like wood trim. The vents ship factory-primed white.
Do I need to paint them?
Yes, with an exterior paint, unless you are installing a LOAD access door that you plan to leave in its painted white finish. The primed pieces are ready for paint, not a finished color.
Are the access doors painted?
LOAD models come painted white. The other shapes ship factory-primed white and are ready for paint.
How do I choose the size?
Start with how the vent should look on the gable, then read the overall size on the product drawing. If the vent has to move air, use the net free area on that product page and confirm it with your builder. The sizing page walks through both ideas.
Can I install one on vinyl siding?
The vent fastens like wood trim, into solid framing, not into the vinyl alone. The siding, the trim, and the opening still have to be detailed for that wall. See the install overview, and use a pro if the gable is high or the wall is unfamiliar.
Will a triangle vent fit my roof?
Only if it was made for your roof pitch. Measure the pitch first. A triangle that is the right width and the wrong pitch will not follow the rake.
Where do I buy them?
From the USA distributor at spectis.us. This guide does not take orders.