What other kind of bathroom fan is there besides one with an inside suction fan? Yes, it is a fan mounted on the bathroom ceiling connected to a metal pipe or flexible tubing, which goes to the roof and attaches to a vent. The vent should be located as close as possible to the bathroom. The flexible tubing should not wander all over the attic. No plate is needed. A 6" (as I remember) round hole the size of the pipe is cut in the roof right through the roofing shingles. Then on the roof, the vent is slipped under the upper shingles and sits on the lower shingles. Nothing to it.
An electrician installed mine. You will need one to do the wiring.