Roof Exhaust Fans

Roof exhaust fans are the ultimate solution for removing hot, stale air from commercial and industrial spaces, improving air quality and energy efficiency. Designed for businesses facing overheating challenges, these fans ensure fresh, cooler air circulates your space. At Industrial Fans Direct, we offer a wide range of axial and centrifugal roof exhaust fans to suit your specific needs. With no minimum orders, a low-price guarantee, and over 20 years of HVAC expertise, you can trust us for reliable, top-quality ventilation solutions.

How to Choose the Right Roof Exhaust Fan

Upblast vs. downblast, get this one right first. If your ductwork connects to a hood over any cooking equipment, even if it's only exhausting heat or moisture, with no grease or smoke - code requires an upblast fan. Downblast fans are only appropriate for general HVAC exhaust with no grease or combustibles in the airstream (offices, restrooms, utility rooms, general warehouse ventilation). Using a downblast fan for kitchen exhaust isn't just a performance issue. It's a fire-code violation and a fire risk, since grease-laden air would be directed straight onto the roof instead of away from it.

• Kitchen/grease exhaust: Requires an upblast fan with UL 762 listing, plus a hinge kit, grease box, and access panel per NFPA 96. Fans must discharge above the roof surface.
• General exhaust (heat, moisture, stale air, no grease): A downblast fan is a cost-effective, quieter option since discharge is directed down rather than up and away.

Axial vs. centrifugal. Axial fans handle high-volume air movement in open areas or short duct runs with minimal static pressure,  a good fit for general warehouse and factory ventilation. Centrifugal fans generate higher static pressure, making them the standard for kitchen exhaust, ducted systems, and other high-resistance applications.

CFM and static pressure. Size to your space's required air changes per hour, then add capacity for any duct length, bends, or filters that add resistance. Restaurant kitchen exhaust typically runs 1,500–2,500 CFM per hood line, with larger operations exceeding 10,000 CFM. Oversizing wastes energy without improving ventilation, so use our CFM calculator chart to size accurately rather than guessing high.

Drive type. Direct-drive fans have fewer moving parts and lower maintenance; belt-drive fans offer more flexibility in matching CFM and static pressure for demanding or high-volume applications.

Weather and mounting. Roof units face wind, rain, and snow load year-round. Look for weatherproof housings, hinged rain caps on upblast fans, and hoods rated for your climate.

Still not sure which configuration fits? Our Fan Finder tool will match you to the right fan based on your application.

Shop by Type

Upblast Centrifugal - Blows stale air up and away from your building, keeping kitchens and industrial spaces clean and breathable. These are the backbone of any kitchen ventilation system, efficiently removing smoke, heat, and airborne contaminants, and the required configuration for grease-laden exhaust. Available in both direct drive and belt drive to match your specific needs.

Downblast Centrifugal - Removes heat, fumes, and contaminated air from manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and athletic facilities where the exhaust airstream is free of grease. Not a substitute for upblast fans in kitchen or grease-laden applications. Industrial Fans Direct offers competitive pricing, expert guidance with comprehensive motor information, and fast shipping on all models.

Upblast Axial - Vertical discharge fans that remove hot air, fumes, and moisture while withstanding harsh weather conditions. Meant for low static pressure environments, such as pulling from open areas, or very short straight duct runs. Facility managers and building owners trust these for reliable rooftop air movement in industrial and commercial facilities.

Downblast Axial - Smaller, low-profile fans that exhaust air and fumes downward through the roof or wall. Can be mounted vertically or horizontally. Best for open areas or short duct runs with minimal static pressure, and for grease-free air only. Common in warehouses, factories, and office buildings.

Hooded Downblast - Large, powerful fans with blades up to 60" for ventilating the largest spaces. A large hood over the fan provides excellent resistance to weather and water intrusion. Like other downblast models, best suited to open areas or short duct runs free of grease-laden air.

Versatile Mount - Flexible installation on a wall, ceiling, holding tank vent, rail car, shipping container, or nearly anywhere else. Ideal when your application doesn't fit a standard roof or wall opening.

Rooftop Blowers - Engineered for exhaust applications demanding higher static pressures. Built for continuous use in the most demanding environments, these top, bottom, and horizontal discharge models handle manufacturing process ventilation, hood system exhaust, chemical processing vapor removal, and process heat extraction.

Most Popular Roof Exhaust Fans

Our most popular roof-mounted exhaust fans deliver powerful, efficient performance across various industrial applications. From upblast centrifugal fans, perfect for removing fumes in restaurants, to hooded downblast fans built to ventilate large factories, each option guarantees reliability. With features like weather resistance, high static pressure handling, and variable-speed settings, these commercial fans are tailored for excellence. Customers frequently praise models like the ACME upblast centrifugal fan for its durable build and energy-efficient design.

Roof Exhaust Fan Pricing

Pricing varies with blade size, CFM capacity, and drive type. Entry-level commercial fans like direct-drive downblast models start around $300, while heavy-duty options like belt-drive hood exhaust fans can exceed $4,000. Stainless steel construction and EC motors add to cost but pay off in durability and energy savings. At Industrial Fans Direct, we provide a wide range of high-quality ventilation products to fit any budget, backed by our low-price guarantee.

Why Choose Industrial Fans Direct for Roof Exhaust Fans?

For more than 20 years, Industrial Fans Direct has provided ventilation and heating resources to customers across the U.S. and around the globe. We specialize in working with mechanical contractors, engineers, electricians, facility managers, and commercial building owners - helping you get the configuration right the first time, whether that means code-compliant kitchen exhaust or general facility ventilation.

• Non-commissioned, knowledgeable team - our sales staff isn't paid on commission, so you get honest guidance and only the equipment your application needs.
• Factory-authorized, brand-new inventory - every fan is backed by full manufacturer warranties.
• Strong manufacturer relationships - built over 20+ years to keep pricing competitive and the order-to-delivery process smooth.
• Free shipping on most orders, plus our Low Price Guarantee.
• Thousands of quality products in stock, from centrifugal upblast exhaust fans to hooded downblast models.

Need Help Choosing?

• Not sure which model fits your application? Try our Fan Finder tool.
• Size your airflow needs with our CFM calculator chart.
• Have questions about an order or need expert advice? Contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an upblast or downblast fan?

If the duct connects to a hood over cooking equipment - for grease, smoke, or even just heat and moisture, you need an upblast fan; it's a code requirement, not a preference. Downblast fans are for general exhaust only, with no grease or combustibles in the airstream.

What accessories does code require for kitchen exhaust fans?

NFPA 96 requires a hinge kit (for safe access during cleaning), a grease box (to keep runoff off the roof), and an access panel on any upblast fan used for kitchen exhaust, along with a minimum 40-inch discharge height above the roof.

Axial or centrifugal - which do I need?

Axial fans suit open areas and short duct runs with low resistance. Centrifugal fans generate higher static pressure, making them the right choice for kitchen exhaust and other ducted, high-resistance systems.

How many CFM do I need?

Base it on your space's air changes per hour and any duct resistance. Restaurant hood lines typically run 1,500–2,500 CFM, with larger kitchens needing more. Use our CFM calculator chart rather than oversizing - extra capacity you don't need adds energy cost without improving ventilation.

Belt drive or direct drive?

Direct drive has fewer moving parts and less maintenance. Belt drive offers more flexibility to match specific CFM and static pressure needs, especially for heavy-duty or high-volume applications.

What maintenance do roof exhaust fans need?

Kitchen exhaust fans need regular grease cleaning per your hood cleaning schedule and NFPA 96 requirements. General exhaust fans should be inspected for bearing wear, blade fouling, and weatherproofing every few months, more often in harsh climates.