I would like to install a fan in our bathroom which currently has none. However, I'm very confused regarding the best approach for this.
Above the bathroom is an attic space. I have read that venting out the gable side of the house is preferable to soffit vents or roof vents. This makes sense to me because it avoids roof penetration and venting out the soffit may allow the hot, moist air to re-enter the attic through the neighboring soffit vents. In addition, bends in the vent duct are discourage because they reduce airflow.
However, all ceiling mounted fans I've seen sit between the joists and the vent outlet runs parallel to the ceiling joists (toward the soffits). In order to get to the gable end, I would need to put two bends in the duct -- one to turn up and above the joists, then another to turn and head toward the gable end. From where the fan will be, it is no more than 10 feet to the gable end of the house.
Should I make these two bends and vent out the gable end?
Should I build a box for the fan, recess it above the joists so the vent outlet is in the direction of the gable end of the house?
Should I forget the ceiling vent and use a wall mounted vent? (If I do this, I believe I will need to still vent out under the eaves which will present the same issue with the soffit vents, no)?
Or is there another option I'm not aware of?