How does a Roof Ridge Vent Protect My Home?

For many of us, owning our own homes will represent the single largest financial investment of our lives. Under those circumstances, it is no wonder we would want to do everything we can to protect that investment. When it comes to protecting what comes under the roof, a roof ridge vent is absolutely necessary.

Essentially, a roof ridge vent is a vent system that allows the air inside your attic area to freely move through and out of the attic, helping to keep the air temperature in the attic more or less equal to the temperature outside. This is important, as the roof can be severely impacted by a lack of proper airflow in the attic. Among the problems that can develop as a result of poor ventilation are sections of the roof deck warping over time, and shingles becoming dry and cracking.

A roof ridge vent, when properly configured, will allow the hottest air to escape from the attic, thus preventing undue pressure on the roof and its components. The roof ridge vent accomplishes this without the aid of an electric fan or any other device to circulate the air. Fresh air can enter through other vents, allowing for a natural flow of the air throughout the space. 

Roof ridge vents are available in a number of different materials and styles. Depending on the configuration of the roof, particularly the pitch, different types of roof vents would be needed for proper ventilation. Metal roof vents have been around a long time, but it is often not practical to cover them with shingles. On the other hand, the newer plastic roof ridge vent has two advantages. First, they don't dent like their metal counterparts. Second, they can be covered by shingles with the greatest of ease.

To get an idea of which roof vent system would be best for your home, visit your local home store or your local hardware store. Not only can you get a better idea of which systems is best for you home, you can also learn how to properly calculate how many feet of vent you will need for your home.