About Our Greenhouse Roof Vents
A roof vent is a hinged glazed panel that swaps in for a fixed roof pane. It lets hot air escape at the highest point. Adding a second roof vent is the cheapest way to stop a greenhouse cooking in July. Our range starts at £45 for a Vitavia frame. Across the 47 roof-vent kits we have fitted to customer greenhouses, a second vent dropped peak July temperature by 8C on average. The vents are brand-specific. A Vitavia frame fits a Vitavia greenhouse, an Elite frame fits an Elite. They arrive without glass so you can match your existing glazing.
Most factory greenhouses ship with a single roof vent. That is rarely enough for a hot UK summer. We have fitted greenhouses for 16 years, and under-vented roofs are the most common cause of scorched seedlings. Pair any roof vent with an automatic vent opener so it lifts on warm mornings while you are out. For the wider parts range see greenhouse ventilation and greenhouse spare parts.
“I tell every customer the same thing. Buy the roof vent and the automatic opener together. The vent gives you the opening, the opener works it for free while you are at work. On a 6x8 greenhouse a second vent plus an opener is the single best £70 you will spend on the whole structure.”
— Matt W, Installation Manager, Greenhouse Stores (16 years fitting greenhouses across the UK)
💡 Tip: Fit the second roof vent on the opposite slope to the first. Vents on the same side pull stale air across the plants. Vents on opposite slopes draw a cross-flow that clears heat faster.
🔧 Matt's Installation Tip: Seal the new vent with the rubber glazing strip
When you swap a fixed pane for a roof vent, reuse or renew the rubber glazing strip around the glass. A dry-fitted vent rattles in wind and lets rain track down the inside of the frame. Two minutes of strip work stops both. Keep the old vent clips. They fit the new frame.
Matt's Pick: Vitavia Silver Roof Vent
Best For: Adding a second vent to any silver Vitavia greenhouse.
Why I Recommend It: It is the cheapest frame in the range and the one we fit most. The anodised silver matches the standard Vitavia bar, so the new vent looks factory-fitted.
Price: £45
Compare Our Roof Vents By Brand And Colour
| Roof vent | Fits | Finish | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitavia Roof Vent (Silver) ⭐ Matt's Pick | Vitavia | Anodised silver | Cheapest way to add a second vent | £45 |
| Vitavia Roof Vent (Green) | Vitavia | Green | Matching green Vitavia frames | £49 |
| Vitavia Roof Vent (Black) | Vitavia | Black | Matching black Vitavia frames | £49 |
| Elite Silver Roof Vent | Elite | Silver | Adding a vent to a silver Elite | £79 |
| Elite Green Roof Vent | Elite | Green | Matching powder-coated green Elite frames | £119 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many roof vents does a greenhouse need?
Aim for roof vent area worth 20% of the floor area. A 6x8 greenhouse needs around 0.9m² of openable vent. That is usually two roof vents. Most greenhouses ship with one, so adding a second brings you up to spec.
Do roof vents come with glass?
No. Our roof vents are supplied as the aluminium frame only. This lets you match your existing glazing, whether that is horticultural glass, toughened glass or polycarbonate. Reuse a pane from the panel you are replacing where the size matches.
Will a Vitavia roof vent fit an Elite greenhouse?
No. Roof vents are brand-specific. A Vitavia frame fits Vitavia models, an Elite frame fits Elite models. The glazing-bar profiles differ between brands, so a vent from one will not seat correctly on another.
Can I fit a roof vent myself?
Yes. Most gardeners fit one in under 30 minutes. You remove a fixed roof pane, drop the vent frame into the same channel, secure the clips and refit the glazing strip. No special tools beyond a screwdriver are needed.
Should I add an automatic opener to a roof vent?
Yes, for almost every garden. An automatic opener lifts the vent on warm mornings without you being there. It saves wilted plants when you are at work or away. Browse our autovents and openers to pair with any vent here.
Ready to add more ventilation?
Pick the roof vent that matches your greenhouse brand and colour above, then add an automatic opener so it works itself. Need help confirming the fit? Call our team on 0800 098 8877 and we will check your model before you order.