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What is a Ridge Vent
A balanced attic ventilation system is important to help prevent roofing system issues. This ventilation system consists of both ridge vents installed at the peak of the roof and intake vents installed at or near the soffits. Properly ventilating your attic helps reduce excess heat and moisture in the summer and also helps keep your roof system cold during the winter to reduce the freeze thaw cycle that creates ice dams.
A ridge vent is an air exhaust vent installed on the peak of a roof. When installing this vent, an air slot is first cut in the roof deck at the roof’s peak. This air slot is then covered by the ridge vent itself. They help to provide continuous, uniform exhaust ventilation at the highest portion of the attic and are designed to help resist wind-driven rain and snow, as well as insect and debris infiltration. Ridge cap shingles are then typically installed over the ridge vent to protect it, and provide a clean finished look on the roof, with the exception of metal ridge vents which do not require the use of ridge cap shingles.
For the attic ventilation system to work properly, air needs to be able to enter the attic as well as exit it to provide a continuous flow of outside air through the attic space. Eave and soffit vents, or vents placed where a roof or overhang juts out over the home’s exterior wall, will allow cooler, dry air to enter the lower attic space. As the air in the attic heats up, convection helps push the air to the peak of the roof where it escapes through the ridge vent. This type of “passive system” is an efficient way to ventilate an attic, as it doesn’t require any energy to properly function.
What does Ridge Vent do?
A ridge vent reduces heat buildup by up to 20% which can lead to reduced cooling costs, increased home value, and less chance of mold or mildew growth. Another benefit they provide is improved indoor air quality because there will be better airflow when humidity levels rise inside the house during the summer months. A ridge vent also helps keep attic spaces cooler by allowing water vapor that collects there from seepage or rainwater leakage (which can lead to rot if not dealt with) to dry quickly, which in turn reduces the chance of mold growth.
There are two primary types of ridge vents: shingle-over vents and aluminum vents. The shingle-over vents is for a roof that has shingles, whereas the aluminum vent is for roofs made of metal. What this means is that if you have an asphalt or a certain kind of tile roof then you’ll need to use a ridge vent with continuous airflow because it won’t work with other types of materials.
When are they needed?
Depending on the amount of exhaust ventilation needed for the attic space and the physical roof design, many homes are great candidates for ridge vents. For example, homes that have an ample amount of ridge line are often properly ventilated using ridge vents. If your attic is finished or the air in the space is conditioned, you may need a mechanical method of exhausting heat and moisture. You should consult a design professional or HVAC contractor to make sure your system is large enough to create the airflow needed to keep your attic cool.
The amount of exhaust ventilation provided by the ridge vent should never exceed the amount of intake ventilation from the soffit or eave vent. If it does, you may not get enough airflow to properly ventilate the attic. It’s critical to always have balanced attic ventilation.
