Ridge Roof Vents Versus Other Vents

Box vents square covered vents with no moving parts.

Ridge roof vents versus other vents.

Ridge vent versus roof vent. This is a passive ventilation system relying on the air pressure from inside your attic to release the warm air. Rather just have the ridge vents and the soffit vents paired together. A ridge vent runs across the top of the roof s peak.

Years of research have proven that air vent ridge vents combined with under eave venting are the most efficient and effective system you can install. This balanced system provides greater airflow than any other fixed vent and it s the most attractive system. Ridge vents are located along the whole peak of your roofline and are covered with screening. This option can still reduce your hot air during the summer months in a warm climate but there are cheaper and more.

This is different from soffit vents which allow air to travel into the attic. Ridge vents are a passive system simply allowing hot air to rise up through them rather than pushing it out as a fan does. Ridge vents long exhaust vents that are installed at the peak or ridge of the roof. The general rule of thumb is that the colder the climate the more your attic benefits from the use of ventilation.

A ridge vent is similar to a screen and allows heat to escape up and out of the attic. Power vents vents with a powered turbine that needs to be connected by an electrician. Continuous ridge vents are more expensive than roof box vents but since they are non mechanical there is no need for electric connections or concerns that there could be an electrical failure. Roof ridge vents and other forms of roofing ventilation work better when homes are in colder climates.

Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof s ridge allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. It is best to use a continuous ridge vent on a shingled roof. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge and soffit continuous ventilation system but even these designs can vary from roof to roof. It has the ability to work with vaulted ceilings and you only need one of them to get the job done for ventilation as compared to multiple box vents.

Ridge vents roof with ridge attic vents. This will mean that you will need to cover or remove the gable vents though as this will hinder the effectiveness of the ridge vent. It also works better because it creates a vacuum. Unlike turbines this venting style does not have any moving parts.

I would recommend you cover or remove any existing roof vents if you are planning to install ridge vents. Like other vents ridge vents need eve vents to work properly. If you don t know how your roof vents work or if you re unsure about your attic ventilation in general you should talk to a roof inspector about your current system and any inherent weaknesses that may be at. A ridge vent installed along a roof s peak will move hot and humid air up and out of the attic.