Is it a good idea to add a decorative gable end to a hip roof to get more ridge vent? – GreenBuildingAdvisor

HI, there! Do ridge vents that are 90 degrees from each other, such as on a gable end roof running perpendicular to that on the main roof (and the gable end one being slightly lower than the other) create short-circuiting problems?

I have a plain brick colonial with a hip roof in need a new roof and only have about 12′ of ridge for an 1120 sq. ft attic. I’ve been doing so much reading about ventilation online and realize now that I don’t have enough ridge and shouldn’t mix exhaust vent types. I am not comfortable with having about 6 box vents with 9″ dia. holes on my roof, either!! I came up with an idea of adding a decorative gable end on the front just to add additional ridge vent space. This would be “scabbed” on over the existing trusses– and remove the sheathing under the gable end to open it to the rest of the roof of course. This gable end would be centered over the door and the windows on either side, sort of in the “Greek Revival style”. This could actually improve the looks of the home while giving me about 12′ more ridge to have for ventilation. The gable ridge could just be slightly lower (maybe less than 12″ ?) than the main ridge vent. Is there any issue with the ridge vent on the gable being slighly lower and at 90 degrees to the main ridge vent? Is this a crazy idea? I am attaching a photo from another home to show you roughly what I am talking about as far as adding the decorative gable end but it is NOT my home. My home has a hip roof as I said!! By the way, if I do add this decorative gable would there be any advantage to putting in a decorative window vs. a faux decorative gable faux vent? I wonder if getting a bit of sunlight in the attic helps at all with mold reduction, etc.

Thank you very much in advance!