Elevating an exhaust fan? – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Ceiling exhaust fans seem to be built to fit between the roof framing at the ceiling joists. As such, if you want to vent to a gable end (which seems to be a common recommendation in many places except the fan install instructions), that orientation forces you to introduce at least 2 bends and a right-hand turn to reach the gable.

Since you’re already building headers between the ceiling joists to support the fan, I’m wondering why not just raise the headers and the fan body above the ceiling joists? Doing so would allow you to rotate the unit towards the gable end, eliminating the bends and lateral turn.

Of course you would then have to somehow attach the grille to the ceiling at the hole, and maybe create an insulated box with rigid surrounding the unit (which might even make for better insulation).

Is this workable idea, or am I once again overcomplicating things?