The Turbine Vent

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A Low-Maintenance Approach to Airflow


The turbine vent is physical proof that a product doesn’t have to be flashy to carry out its work well. A ventilation accessory that relies on wind power to do its job, the turbine vent has been a metal building staple for decades. Here, we’ve pulled together need-to-know info about this trusted tool of the trade — how it works, the benefits it offers and key considerations to keep it serving your steel buildings well.


The Science Behind the Turbine Vent

Turbine vents (or whirlybirds, as many in the industry call them) are a means of ventilating your metal buildings without electricity. They draw upon the basic principle that warm air rises, and are powered by the wind. Blowing breezes turn a fan mechanism located inside the turbine vent, creating a vacuum effect that ushers warm air up and out. Turbine vents in proper working order should replace warm, stale air with fresh multiple times every hour.     




Contact Metallic Products to Learn More About Our Turbine Vents



THE BENEFITS TURBINE VENTILATORS OFFER METAL BUILDINGS

Not all airflow is created equal — and the same applies for the ventilation accessories aiding it. Here are a few reasons the turbine vent can serve as a quality option for your building and bottom line.

  • Natural Ventilation Means No Added Electrical Costs: Because it’s wind, and not a traditional power source, that allows your turbine vents to operate, you won’t wind up paying additional money out of pocket to keep this accessory serving you well.
     
  • A “Set it and Forget it” Approach to Airflow: Unlike power ventilators that must be switched off and on when the time is right, or other vents that must be adjusted according to what the weather does, your turbine vent is designed to do what it does best when it is (literally) moved to do so. And added peace of mind that your buildings have the airflow they need — with no added work on your part? That’s a great thing.
     
  • Few Moving Parts Make for Minimal Maintenance: Although a whirlybird does contain some moving elements, it’s engineered to work for a long (long) without the need for regular adjustments. Remember, a quality building accessory will carry out its job while keeping moisture, insects and related obstacles out. Your main upkeep considerations consist of checking for debris that could become lodged in the vent’s blades and hinder its ability to turn — and lubricating older vents’ components to keep squeaks at bay.
     
  • Color and Finish Preferences Add Aesthetic Interest: As with any other steel building accessory, your turbine vent provides an opportunity to add eye-catching details to your structure. Talk with your accessory provider about available color and finish options. Most provide a wide array of standard colors, and the ability to create custom blends, too.

 



Finding the Right Turbine Vents for Your Structures

Turbine ventilators are deceptively simple in design, but they aren’t all alike. Here are a few key factors you’ll want to consider when choosing the right ones for your metal buildings.



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Roof Slope: What type of metal panels make up your building’s roof? In order for your turbine vent to remain weathertight, and to operate without lags and the like, it needs to meet your roof’s specs. At Metallic Products, we offer options that can be installed flat or into specific roof panel types. Ridge and single slope options are available, as well.


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Size: Although there’s a bit more science to it than this, the basic gist is, the larger the vent, the more air is capable of moving through it. You’ll want to make sure the vent (or vents) atop your steel buildings can provide the airflow your space requires. Contact your building accessory provider for help determining your size needs. Our turbine vents come in throat sizes ranging from 12 to 24 inches, with other sizes available upon request.


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Dampers: Will you need to control the amount of air that makes its way into your turbine vent? If so, internal dampers make the task simple. At Metallic Products you have the option of incorporating pull chain-controlled dampers into your accessory’s design.


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Color: Although it doesn’t impact performance, you’ll want to make sure your vent suits your building’s overall look. Metallic Products’ dampers come in a wide range of colors.


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Quality: This likely goes without saying, but a higher quality metal building accessory that costs a bit more than cheaper versions will save you more in the long run. Seek out a provider known to do good work, so you won’t find yourself replacing your ventilation products every few years.

Metallic Products Tip: Our Turbine Vent Spec Sheet offers a quick rundown of your available options.

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