How to Choose the Best Route for a New Dryer Vent

The single most important rule is the shortest practical run with the fewest 90° elbows. Every elbow adds equivalent length and another spot where lint catches.

Routing through an attic adds length, requires insulation, and means any lint buildup is invisible. A side-wall termination is almost always the better choice.

Terminate at least 3 feet from any window, door, or HVAC intake. The termination uses a backdraft damper — never a louver with a screen.