What is the widest ridge vent you can cut?
The widest ridge vent material is 10″. For the 8″ center wall thickness, you’ll need to give up 2″ on each side to cut a 1″ vent slot cut which doesn’t leave enough overlap to prevent the roof from leaking. The ridge vent might function, but it is also highly vulnerable to wind and rain entry.
How much space do you need for a ridge vent?
The ridge vent cut at the roof ridge or peak extends the entire length of the ridge, stopping just a foot or so from either end, and should give 1.5” to 2.5” of open space (no plywood) on either side of the ridge board for attic air to escape out through the ridge vent.
What is the pitch of a ridge vent?
Most ridge vents require a 3:12 roof pitch or better but check the manufacturer’s specifications to be sure. If your manufactured home roof doesn’t have enough pitch, a ridge vent will likely not work as well as traditional roof box vents.
How do you install a ridge vent on a flat roof?
It should be flush with the end of the house. Cut the cap shingles and nail into place using 2-inch roofing nails. If you are using a nail gun, make sure you drive deep enough to attach to the roof deck but not so deeply that you dent or distort the ridge vent.
How wide do you cut a ridge vent?
0:221:01For a roof with a center beam a three and a half inch slot should be cut one 3/4 inch on each sideMoreFor a roof with a center beam a three and a half inch slot should be cut one 3/4 inch on each side for 1/4 x high-profile event cut a two and a half inch slot one.
How much do you cut out for ridge vent?
Cut the Ventilation Opening It is best to create a minimum of 1 inch of clearance on either side of the ridge board (ridgepole) to allow airflow through the opening and into the vent. If there is no ridge board present, as with some truss-framed roofs, the opening should be at least 1 inch from the ridge on both sides.
How Big Should ridge vent opening be?
1.5” to 2.5”The ridge vent cut at the roof ridge or peak extends the entire length of the ridge, stopping just a foot or so from either end, and should give 1.5” to 2.5” of open space (no plywood) on either side of the ridge board for attic air to escape out through the ridge vent.
How wide is a ridge vent?
12" wideThe vent is installed across the ridge of the roof. The vent is 12" wide so that matching shingles can be installed over the vent, allowing the vent to appear almost invisible from the ground.
Can you have too much ridge vent?
Yes, it is possible to install too much ridge vent. Passive attic venting systems are now designed so that they intake air from the soffits and expel air near the ridge. This is normally done without power by using the fact that hot air rises.
Should ridge vent go to edge of roof?
The answer is strictly one of aesthetics. The venting in the roof should never be cut all the way to the edge but that doesn't mean you can't install the vent cap all the way to the edge.
How do you cut a ridge vent?
1:504:03Cut slot to within 12 inches of junction point and run ridge vent from end of roof to but againstMoreCut slot to within 12 inches of junction point and run ridge vent from end of roof to but against crossing ridge vent chimneys. Cut slots to within 12 inches of chimney.
How many soffit vents do I need with a ridge vent?
Divide the soffit vent space needed by the square footage of each vent to calculate how many soffit vents you need. Using the previous example, if you need 10 square feet of soffit vent space and each vent is 0.89 square feet, you need 12 soffit vents.
Are gable vents necessary with ridge vents?
Do Gable Vents and Ridge Vents Work Well Together? The simple answer is: Not really. If your home features both ridge vents and gable vents operating simultaneously, you should think about sealing up the gable vents. Different types of exhaust vents actually prevent each other from working effectively.
How do you tell if your ridge vent is installed properly?
In general, to find out if your ridge vent is installed properly, walk along its entire length and pull the vent slightly upward every few meters. Inspect the vent for any loose seams or fasteners; have them repaired as soon as possible. Even a nail slightly out of place can cause problems later on.
Can rain get in ridge vents?
There are various entry points for moisture in your roof; rain can enter your roof through any of these. One potential entry point is the ridge vent. Ridge vents prevent moisture problems by letting warm air out, but wind-blown rain can enter if the vents are damaged.
What type of ridge vent is best?
The shingle-over-ridge vent is a nicer, more consistent look compared to the aluminum vents, which are very susceptible to leaks further down the road because all of the fasteners are exposed—they go right through the surface of the vent and into the roof decking.
How many nails per side in a shingle cap?
Each cap gets 2 nails per side. These particular caps have an 8-in. exposure, but you should consult your manufacturer’s instructions for your shingle type. At the end of the ridge, they remove the top layer from the second-to-last cap and nail it in place.
Do all homes require ridge vents?
While not all homes require ridge vent installation, you or your roofer may consider adding one during a reroofing project, particularly for an older home with gable vents. Gable vents rarely act as an effective ventilation system on their own, and ridge vent installation will improve energy efficiency.
How far back can you cut a ridge vent?
For aesthetic purposes the ridge vent can be cut back one to three feet from the ends of the gables . The new school roofers will mostly install the vent all the way from gable end to gable end for a more clean look. Ridge vent leaks are easy to detect.
How long does it take to replace a ridge vent?
Replacing ridge vents can normally be accomplished within a few hours. Sometimes a ridge vent is not required on a ridge. You want to install the amount of ridge vent that is called for in the houses blueprints.
How to prevent ice dams on roof?
In cold climates the roofs ventilation will help prevent ice and water dams. It does this by allowing the attic to remain cool so that it doesn't melt the snow on top of the roof and allow the water to refreeze at the eave, causing the dam. A ridge vent works best when paired with a vented soffit. The air flowing up through ...
Why do ridge vents rust?
These exposed nails will rust and wiggle themselves out of the plywood due to expansion and contraction along with being exposed to the elements. Once these nails start to raise out, the aluminum vent will start to raise off the roof from the wind blowing them up. This is a very common cause of a leaking roof and we are doing many ridge vent replacements that involve removing old aluminum style ridge vents.
What is a gable vent?
Gable vents are vents through the wall on each side of the attic that allow a natural breeze through the attic. It is not recommended to have both a vertical draft and horizontal, because they will cancel each other out. Most shingle manufacturers warranties are void if the roof is not vented properly.
How to tell if a ridge vent is leaking?
To find a leaky ridge vent all you have to do is go in your attic and shine a flashlight on the rafters. If you can see a dark stain all around the ridge vent, that usually means it is leaking. Usually a drip trail can be followed down a rafter to the area where the leak is entering the house.
What is the difference between Timbertex and Seal a Ridge?
Seal-A-Ridge cap shingles come with a double layer of shingle protection while Timbertex are more heavy duty with a third layer of asphalt added. The Timbertex cap shingles also give a more raised profile appearance and are the go to look on bigger roofs with more roofing sections.
Can You Install a Ridge Vent on a Manufactured Home
Manufactured homes are designed to be efficient and cost-effective for homeowners who need a temporary or permanent residence.
How Ridge Vents Work
A ridge vent is used on the top of a roof to help provide ventilation in your home, but it can be hard to install. Manufactured homes are generally pre-fabricated with factory-installed vents that may not work well with ridge venting systems.
What Roof Pitch for a Ridge Vent
Most ridge vents require a 3:12 roof pitch or better but check the manufacturer’s specifications to be sure.
Ridge Ventilation: Pros and Cons
There are several benefits to installing ridge vents on your manufactured home- they can help improve airflow, keep the home cooler, and even increase energy efficiency!
In Conclusion
Ridge vents can make a big difference in temperature variation between inside and outside spaces in manufactured homes (which is common among people living in these types of houses). They work with soffit venting to improve airflow, which helps keep the home cooler.
Why Do I Need a Ridge Vent?
A ridge vent is an important part of a home's roofing system. Installed at the peak of a sloped roof, the ridge vent allows damp, warm air to escape from the attic. A properly installed ridge vent increases energy efficiency and prolongs the life of your roof.
Preparing for Ridge Vent Installation
For a ridge vent to work properly, it must have adequate intake of fresh, cool air. As the ridge vent expels hot, humid air, intake vents feed fresh, cool air into the attic. Equal flow of exhaust and intake should be provided. Example: 900-square-foot attic / 150 square feet = 6 square feet of net-free area.
Installing a Metal Ridge Vent
Follow the steps explained in Removing the Cap Shingles and Removing the Wood Sheathing.
What is a ridge vent?
A very popular way to provide adequate ventilation in an attic space is with a ridge vent, sometimes called a continuous vent. Rather than interrupting the roof line the way other raised vents do, a ridge vent is so low-profile that almost unnoticeable. There are two primary types of ridge vents: shingle-over vents and aluminum vents.
What is an aluminum ridge vent?
An aluminum ridge vent has a mushroom-shaped profile combined with a wide flange on both sides that sits on top of the roof shingles. This aluminum cap is the finished product and does not require additional asphalt shingle ridge caps. The ridge of the roof is prepared similarly for both types of ridge vent.
How does a ridge vent work?
Be aware that a ridge vent is only one part of properly ventilating your attic space and roof. For a ridge vent to work properly, it relies on passive airflow, or intake air, coming into the attic space via soffit or gable vents or other attic ventilation. Show Full Article.
How far should a truss framed roof be from the ridge?
If there is no ridge board present, as with some truss-framed roofs, the opening should be at least 1 inch from the ridge on both sides. Measure down from the ridge on each side and snap a chalk line to mark cutting lines on the roof decking.
How many nails are in a ridge cap?
For most asphalt shingle ridge caps, there are two nails in each ridge cap, one on either side of the ridge. Insert a flat pry bar under the shingle cap and lift up on both the shingle and the nail head to loosen the nail, then pry out the nail. Remove the shingle cap.
What is a ridge vent?
A ridge vent is an air exhaust vent installed on the peak of a roof. When installing this vent, an air slot is first cut in the roof deck at the roof's peak. This air slot is then covered by the ridge vent itself.
When are they needed?
Depending on the amount of exhaust ventilation needed for the attic space and the physical roof design, many homes are great candidates for ridge vents. For example, homes that have an ample amount of ridge line are often properly ventilated using ridge vents.
The 1:300 rule
How much venting do you need for your attic? The Federal Housing Administration recommends that for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, you will need a minimum of one square foot of attic ventilation (evenly split between intake and exhaust ventilation).
Ridge venting solutions
Different homes have different needs, and it's important to take those needs into account when exploring solutions. To find out more about these solutions and how they can be used in your home, you can browse GAF's ventilation and attic vent products.