What Are Ridge Vents and Does Your Roof Need One?
There are many different types of roof vents, each coming with their own unique benefits. One of the most popular types of roof vents is a ridge vent. Even though these ventilation options are popular among roofing contractors, many homeowners don’t know what they are.
When you’re having a new roofing system installed on your home, or you need to schedule roofing repairs, you should make sure that you know about every roofing option available to you. When you know which type of roofing features to ask for, you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible features added to your roof.
What Is a Ridge Vent?
Whether you have a roof made of asphalt shingles, luxury slate, or wood shake, it is crucial that you have ventilation for your roof. Inside your home, heat rises. That’s why your attic or upper crawlspace are always so hot. Roof venting allows that heat to be released.
A ridge vent runs the entire length of the ridge of your roof. One of the primary benefits of these vents is the fact that they are not visible from the ground.
Types of Ridge Vents
There are two different types of ridge vents. The type of ridge vent that you need depends on the ventilation system in your attic.
- If your attic has an active ventilation system, you should choose a ridge vent with a baffle. Active ventilation means that your attic’s ventilation system relies on fans that circulate the air around. Baffled ridge vents are vents that have chutes that provide a route for airflow in your attic.
- Passive ventilation systems rely on natural wind movements to circulate air through your attic. These ventilation systems are often found in older homes. If this is the type of ventilation system that you have, you can opt for a ridge vent that does not have baffles.
One of the biggest benefits of ridge vents with baffle is the fact that they prevent rain, snow, and sleet from getting into your attic or upper crawlspace. Ridge vents that don’t have plastic chutes (or baffles) also allow insects to get in.
How Much Do Ridge Vents Cost?
The process of installing a ridge vent on your roof has a direct impact on the price. The materials needed for a ridge vent installation are some of the most affordable materials in the roofing industry. Based on national averages, ridge vent itself costs between $2 and $3 per linear foot.
There is some prep work that contractors must perform, which increases the price of ridge vent installation. In addition to removing any shingles or pieces of metal that cover the ridge of your roof, the contractor must also remove any underlayment that is in the way. Once your contractor removes everything from the ridge, he or she will cut a hole for the ridge vent that runs the entire length of your roof.
This process takes several hours, and is the biggest expense associated with ridge vent installation. A study of national averages indicates that roofing contractors charge somewhere between $45 and $75 per hour for the labor associated with ridge vent installation. Labor costs around $300 to $400 for ridge vent installs.
According to national averages, the total cost of ridge vent installation runs somewhere between $300 and $650. The typical cost for complete ridge vent installation is only $500.
Why Does Roof Ventilation Matter?
There are several reasons that you should make sure that your attic has proper ventilation. While there many different types of roof vents on the market, ridge vents provide some of the best ventilation. This is because roof vents run the entire length of your roof’s ridge, ensuring that air can always move in and out of your attic.
Roof ventilation is very important if you live in an area that sees high humidity. Since humidity is a measure of the level of moisture in the air, humid attics that do not have proper ventilation often become breeding grounds for mold and mildew. Not only does this damage the items that you have stored in your attic, but it can also make the air in your home dangerous to breathe.
Providing your roof with extra ventilation also protects the roofing structure itself. When air can pass through the roof on your home, certain roofing types, like shingles will better withstand damage due to extreme temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Are ridge vents affordable to install?
Yes, they are. You can have a ridge vent installed in your home for a few hundred dollars.
Can I install my own ridge vent?
You shouldn’t try to install your own ridge vent unless you have training as a roofing contractor. Not only is it dangerous to work on your roof, but you may also cause significant damage to your roof.
Are ridge vents really necessary?
Yes, they are. Ridge vents help protect your roof and your attic from damages caused by poor circulation.
Having a quality ridge vent installed in your home not only makes your home safer and more comfortable, but it also adds years to the lifespan of your roof. If you don’t have a ridge vent, consider contacting a roofing contractor today.