If you have an older home with gable vents, or are considering reroofing your home to save energy costs, consider adding ridge vents for better ventilation. Ridge vents provide uniform cooling along the entire roof deck, while keeping a low profile to maintain a symmetrical roofline. They can be installed on a metal or shingle-over roof.
The most important thing to understand about a ridge ridge vent installation guide vent is that it does not work the same way as soffit and hip vents. These vents allow for ventilation by letting air escape from the top of your roof and pulling cooler air into your attic space through the bottom of the roof. Ridge vents, on the other hand, use the natural flow of air to create an efficient and cost-effective venting system. They do this by allowing attic air to escape through the highest point in your roof, which is also where most of the heat from your house escapes.
Because of this, ridge vents are much more effective and cost-efficient than other types of venting. They can be used in combination with other vents, such as soffit and gable vents, or as a replacement for them. They also can be installed on homes without a ridge board (in truss-framed roofs) by cutting a 2 inch wide gap along the peak of your roof, then installing a flexible ridge vent.
Regardless of what type of venting is used, there are some important steps in the process that will help ensure a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing installation. First, cut a gap about 2 inches wide along the ridge of your roof using a utility knife and a blade that is specially designed for roofing. Next, remove the sheathing on either side of this gap to expose the ridge board or trusses. Next, apply butyl or other sealant around the opening on both sides of the gap to keep water from seeping into your attic or trusses.
Now the roofer can install the ridge vent, depending on whether they are installing a metal or shingle-over vent. If the roofer is using a metal vent, they will need to fasten it to the ridge board or trusses as directed by the manufacturer. The roofer will then cover the vent with a metal ridge cap to prevent rain from seeping through it. If the roofer is using a shingle-over vent, they will need to attach the vent to the roof deck by securing each section at a time and nailing them in place. The roofer will then use a shingle that is pre-laid in the hips and over the vent for transition.
Once the vent is in place, the roofer will apply a bead of sealant over the bottom edge of the vent to fill any gaps and to keep out bugs and pests. The roofer will then re-cover the vent with the shingle of their choice, and install a flashing piece that is nailed in place as well. A ridge cap shingle is often the preferred option because they are available in many colors that will match the rest of the roof, and are more robust than standard asphalt shingles.