Everything You Need to Know
Why You Should Use Ridge Vents
At the top of your roof where two plains meet, it is very common to have simple cap shingles that flex around the peak and cap off the top of your roofline. However, if you have had issues with attic ventilation, such as wet spots in the center of your ceilings, musty smells or mold, fogging windows and ice, clear warping and or the staining and discolorations of building material, condensation, or crumbling masonry, you may want to call Clayton Hoover & Sons to inspect the ventilation of your attic. In scenarios such as these, a ridge vent may be the best way to protect your attic and roof from further damage.
What is a Ridge Vent and how is it installed?
A ridge vent is exactly what it sounds like. It is a vent in the ridge of your roof where the cap shingles go. Installation is handled by your roofer, and they are going to inspect your attack to look at the tresses and current ventilation. When it’s decided that a ridge vent is the best option for your home, they’ll get to work with the installation. If you are already re-roofing your home, they will leave about a gap between the peak boards of the roof decking. The size of this gap will depend on the type of vent selected for your home This gap is where the vent will sit and allow for airflow. If you aren’t re-shingling, it is possible to pull up the ridge caps, and then cut back the decking material. Only the inspector will know if this will be possible for your current roof.
When the gap is left or created, the center of the vent will sit down inside the gap, and pieces on both sides will be nailed down to keep it in place and waterproofed. Once the ridge vent is installed, they will put down ridge cap shingles overtop of it to keep it protected from the elements.
Can you install a Ridge Vent on a metal roof?
You can! Although we, at Clayton Hoover & Sons don’t work on metal roofs, you can contact a metal roofing contactor for metal ridge vents. Even on a metal roof ridge vents can be a great tool to keep your attic well-ventilated. The system for installation is much the same except you will have a metal ridge cap overtop the vent in order to keep your roof looking clean and consistent.
Types Of Ridge Vents
There are many Ridge Vents to choose from. Your professional roofing contractor will assess your roof before presenting you with your options and recommendations for the best ventilation method for your attic. Clayton Hoover & Sons offers many Certainteed products that support exhaust ventilation in your home. When we replace a roof, the final stage of our Integrity Roof System is ventilation. We care about creating a longer-lasting roof of quality. Ridge types offered by Clayton Hoover to consider are:
- Unfiltered Ridge Vents are available in both 12” and 9” segments, and these maximize your attic’s airflow.
- Filtered Ridge Vents are available in 12” segments, and they provide advanced protection from the environment.
- Class A Fire-Rates Ridge Vents are available in 9” segments and are UL Classified.
- Unfiltered Rolled Ridge Vent is available in both 12” segments, and these maximize your attic’s airflow.
- Filtered Rolled Ridge Vents are available in 12” segments, and they provide advanced protection from the environment.
Certainteed products are CSA approved and include a Limited Lifetime Warranty with 5-year SureStart Protection.
Call Clayton Hoover to look over your attic and keep it dry through all the seasons. A well-ventilated attic will help protect your roof from the inside out. As a 4th generation family-owned and operated business, we take pride in providing the best quality roofing and remodeling services. If you’re ready for a free roof inspection or an estimate on a new roof, contact us at ClaytonHoover.com/roofing.
