Are you getting estimates for a new roof? Do you keep hearing about ridge vents or was it recommended?
There are plenty of roof vent options to choose from. However, a ridge vent is one of the most popular for multiple reasons.
Even with its popularity, most homeowners don’t even know what a ridge vent is. This is mainly because you can’t tell it’s even there unless you know what you’re looking for.
However, you can’t decide if it’s the right roof vent for you or feel confident with a roofer’s recommendation without knowing what it is.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand every piece of the roofing puzzle. So, let’s look at everything you need to know about ridge vents.
By the end of this article, you’ll know the answers to:
- What is a ridge vent on a roof?
- How does a ridge vent on a roof work?
- How is a ridge vent installed?
- How much does a ridge vent cost?
What is a ridge vent on a roof?
A roof’s ridge is the highest point of a roof where two roof slopes meet and come together to form a peak at the top. When looking at your roof, it’s a horizontal line that runs the length of the roof or facet.
(Ridge vent on an architectural shingle roof)
Well, a ridge vent is a continuous roof vent cut right into the peak(s) and goes across the entire length of the roof’s ridge. It’s one of the most popular roof vents because of the low profile, unlike turbine or box vents that sit on your roof.
There are two types of ridge vents, with a baffle or without a baffle, based on your attic’s ventilation system. Ridge vents with a baffle are the active version because the baffle provides a channel for airflow.
It also acts like a filter to prevent debris, rain, snow, insects, etc., from entering your attic. So, I recommend getting the active version with the baffle if you want a ridge vent.
How does a ridge vent on a roof work?
Your attic’s ventilation system works by pulling fresh air into your attic and allowing trapped air to escape. But how it works depends on whether it’s a passive or active system.
Active attic ventilation actively pulls fresh air with a drawing effect while pushing out the trapped air. On the other hand, passive attic ventilation only moves air in and out using natural sources, like wind.
Let’s use a ridge vent with a baffle (the active version) as an example since it’s the recommended option. A ridge vent works by pulling in fresh air through intake vents (usually soffit vents) at the gutter line.
As wind passes over the ridge, low pressure is created with the baffle in the attic to pull air out through the ridge vent. While this is different from other active vents, the channel a baffle creates means air is actively being moved in and out of your attic.
How is a ridge vent installed?
The specifics of a ridge vent installation can vary based on the manufacturer’s installation instructions. However, the basic steps are pretty much the same.
After the old roof is torn off, a slot is cut into the decking across the entire ridge where the vent is being installed. The width of the slot depends on the specific ridge vent’s size (9” or 12”) and the manufacturer's instructions.
After everything is installed up to the ridge, the pieces of ridge vent (usually 4 feet long) are connected and laid over the entire opening. They’ll be fastened with nails to the ridge (once again) based on the installation instructions.
With the ridge vent in place, ridge capping is installed over it to seal the vent and entire roof at the very top. This is usually the last step of the roof replacement process if a ridge vent is being installed.
How much does a ridge vent cost?
A ridge vent will be part of the overall cost of your roof replacement. However, it’s priced out by linear foot instead of per square or square foot.
A ridge vent will cost around $3.00 to $8.00 per linear foot for labor and materials. If the capping is factored into the price, it can increase to $12.00 to $20.00 per linear foot.
The length of the ridge will obviously play a big role in pricing. But just keep in mind that many factors impact roofing costs, especially labor rates and roof complexity.
Is your attic’s ventilation system really that important?
Now you know what a ridge vent is, how it works, the installation process, and pricing. A ridge vent is a great option if you don’t want to see the vents from the ground.
Just remember that I recommend the baffle version for functionality and filtering outside debris. But no matter what roof vent you get, it means nothing if your attic isn’t properly ventilated.
In fact, you will have costly problems and big headaches in the future if your attic doesn’t have the right amount of ventilation. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest problems in the residential roofing industry.
A lot of roofers don’t know or just ignore attic ventilation. On top of roofing problems, it also affects your entire home.
Trust me, you don’t want this to happen to you. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the importance of your attic’s ventilation system for your roof and home.
Check out Why is Proper Attic Ventilation Important to Your Roof and Home to learn how crucial a properly ventilated attic is to prepare for conversations with a roofer.
