Ridge vents are considered one of the most effective and aesthetically pleasing options. They are installed along the roof's ridge, allowing hot air to escape naturally. As warm air rises in the attic, it seamlessly leaves through the ridge vent.
In most cases, we recommend soffit vents for intake and a ridge vent for exhaust. For homes that cannot have a ridge vent, box vents are generally the second best option for exhaust. And for homes that cannot have soffit ventilation, you will find that fascia vents to be your second best bet.
Soffit Ventilation
These are vents installed in the soffit or the area under the eaves of the roof. It allows fresh air to enter the roof cavity space and also works well with other types of vents to create a natural flow of cool air.
The best method to ventilate an attic is a passive system with low intake vents (at the eave) and high exhaust vents (at the ridge). Add either that your house does not have currently.
While ridge vents have many advantages, they are not always ideal. In cold climates, ridge vents can allow snow into the attic. They're also more expensive than box vents and won't work on all types of roofs.
If you had to choose just one—and your attic has a great need for ventilation—an attic fan is your best bet. Attic fans in the $300 to $400 range can move upwards of 5,000 CFM. For lower capacity ventilation at a steep cost savings, a ridge vent might be your best choice.
Since there are vents on the roof, heat can escape the house naturally. It doesn't have to be vented out like a normal house would, which keeps things cool inside. Not only summers, but ridge vent helps in winter also.
It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.
While each type—metal, hard plastic shingle-over, and soft foam shingle-over—has its merits, the hard plastic 4-foot shingle-over ridge vent stands out for its unparalleled air exhaust capabilities, making it an excellent choice for homeowners seeking optimal ventilation performance.
When calculating how much attic ventilation you need, your roofer will either use the 1/150 or 1/300 rule. The one they use determines how much Net Free Ventilation Area (open area for air to pass through) you'll need for every 150 or 300 square feet of attic space.
A ridge cap is also a type of baffle used for ridge vents. A cap sits on the ridge vent itself and creates an overlapping shield to prevent water from getting in. Ridge caps also create the vent system pull that sucks fresh air into the attic or roof space and expels stale air.
Metal Roofing (Standing Seam)
With their iconic raised ridge — or standing seam — where one panel locks into its neighbor, metal roofing is resistant to extreme weather conditions and comes in a wide range of colors.
The net free ventilating area shall not be less than 1/150 of the area of the space ventilated, with 50 percent of the required ventilating area provided by ventilators located in the upper portion of the space to be ventilated at least 3 feet (914 mm) above eave or cornice vents with the balance of the required ...
When reviewing turbine vent options, remember that they are very visible: If you want your vents to have a low profile, you may prefer ridge vents. Lubrication and high quality materials are also important – depending on the climate, poor-quality turbines may rust or dry out, developing intolerable squeaks and groans.
A vented attic can heat up to 130 degrees in the summer, causing your HVAC system to work much harder than necessary. Unwanted moisture can also form as the result of condensation. These problems can be solved by applying spray foam insulation to the underside of the roof deck.
Most homes would benefit from having soffit vents for air intake and a ridge vent for exhaust. In the absence of a ridge vent, box vents are the next best thing for removing stale air from a property. Fascia vents are the next best thing to soffit vents, and they are an option for homes that can't have soffit vents.
Ridge vents work without any power. They're super awesome when paired with soffit vents, creating a cool airflow loop - cool air enters through the soffit vents, and the hot air exits through the ridge vents. Attic fans are a bit different because they actively move hot air out and bring cool air in.
Ridge vents are ideal for large, uniform roofs, while off-ridge vents are suitable for smaller or irregularly shaped roofs. If energy efficiency is a priority, ridge vents are generally more effective at reducing attic temperatures and lowering cooling costs.
Installing Rafter Vents
Complete coverage of the attic floor along with sealing air leaks will ensure you get the best performance from your insulation. Rafter vents ensure the soffit vents are clear and there is a channel for outside air to move into the attic at the soffits and out through the gable or ridge vent.
Maintaining adequate attic ventilation is essential for the overall health of you and your home. Without proper ventilation, you risk mold mildew growth, general deterioration of your roofing system, and even increased respiratory problems due to this moisture accumulation.
While having both types of ventilation isn't necessary, some homes need more ventilation in their attic space than others, and that's where this pair comes in. You may need to use one or more attic fans along with a ridge vent in a large, warm attic space that needs more ventilation.
The average roof ridge vent installation cost is $300 to $650, including labor and materials. While it is a pricier option than some of the others, you are treating yourself to the most effective non-powered roof ventilation system. It also blends in with your roof for a much sleeker look than other vents.
Ridge vents do little or nothing to lower the temperature inside an attic. In fact, they would have to break the laws of physics to work. Hot air rises, it doesn't go down.
Ridge vents are not supposed to leak. In most cases, leaky vents are due to poor installation.