Having A Ridge Vent Added To Your Roof

Look up at the ridge of your roof. In other words, look at the peak – the place where the two main sides of your roof come together. Do you see a long, continuous row of shingles that is lifted off the roof ridge a little bit, or are the sides of your roof perfectly flat where they tie into the ridge? If you do not see this lifted part, that means you don't have a ridge vent. You might, however, want to consider having a roofer add one to your roof. Here's a closer look at ridge vents and their benefits.

What is a ridge vent?

A ridge vent is a type of roofing vent that stretches along the length of your roof's ridge or peak. This is just one kind of roof vent. There are also soffit vents, which fit under the roof's soffits or eaves. Then, there are box vents, which are raised, box-shaped vents that protrude from the roof's surface.

Each type of vent works a little differently. But a ridge vent works by basically allowing hot air to escape from your attic. Since hot air rises, the air is the hottest near the peak of the roof, so this is a very good place to place a vent.

Why are ridge vents important?

It is important for a roof to be well-ventilated so that the attic does not get too hot. If the attic gets too hot, heat will start escaping directly through your roof shingles. This is not good for the shingles, overall, and will cause them to start deteriorating prematurely. They may lose granules or start chipping. Heat escaping through the roof can also melt snow in the winter. Melted snow trickles down and re-freezes on the edge of the roof, causing damage to shingles in that area.

A ridge vent is one of the most effective options for removing hot air because of its location. These vents are also less likely to become blocked by insulation or outdoor debris because they are so far up on the roof, and because they are so long.

If your roof lacks a ridge vent, talk to your roofer about adding one. Doing so can help extend the lifespan of your roof materials, and can prevent the formation of ice dams in the winter. Ridge vents are also fairly easy for roofers to install without having to extensively modify the rest of the roof. Reach out to roofing services near you to learn more.


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