Everything You Need to Know About Ridge Vents

Roof ventilation is one of the essential things if you want a healthy and long-lasting roof. Not only it helps regulate temperature and humidity levels in the attic, but it also prevents the reproduction of mold, rot, or any other structural damage. If you think about it, it’s logical that without proper ventilation, heat and moisture might build up, leading to many problems (such as total roof replacement) you could have avoided if you had reacted promptly. Thus, we cannot emphasize the importance of proper ventilation enough!

You’re reading our blog with a mission, so let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!

What Is a Ridge Vent?

One method of providing air circulation is through a ridge vent – a ventilation system installed at the peak of a sloped roof. It is a continuous vent that runs along the length of the roof ridge and allows hot air and moisture to escape from the attic space. Ridge vents create a natural convection effect, where warm air rises and exits through the vent while cool air is drawn in through soffit vents at the roof’s eaves. This continuous flow of air helps regulate temperature and humidity levels in the attic, preventing issues like mold, rot, and damage to the roofing system. For additional safety and a neat, finished look of the roof, ridge cap shingles are installed over the ridge vents for protection, but metal ridge vents often do not need ridge cap shingles to be installed.

Combined with continuous soffit vents, they can create the most effective ventilation system. Furthermore, one continuous ridge vent is way quicker and easier to install than other types of vents.

Types of Ridge Vents

There are two primary types of ridge vents – active and passive roof ones. Active ventilation refers to the process of bringing in air from the outdoors and pushing indoor air out. In contrast, passive ventilation in attics uses wind and other forms of natural ventilation to keep the air circulating.

Active Roof Vents

A ridge vent with a baffle (a set of chutes that creates a channel for air circulation) is used as a part of an active ventilation system. It draws fresh air from the outdoors and ejects stale air from the indoors. Baffled ridge vents are one sort of active roof vent, but there are also turbine, power, and solar-powered vents.

Turbine Vents

When there is no wind, the air in your attic can be circulated with the help of turbine vents (or whirlybirds) by creating a drawing effect by convection (heat rising).

Power Vents

Power vents are circular-shaped vents that use electricity to eject hot air from the attic.

Solar Powered Vents

This type of roof vent is just like any other power vent, but as the power source, they use the sun.

Passive Roof Vents

Passive roof vents are another type of ventilation system that works without the use of mechanical devices such as fans or turbines. Instead, they rely on natural airflow and convection currents to circulate air through a property.

Static Vents

A passive ventilation system that allows air to circulate freely inside a building is called a static roof vent (or louver vent). It is used to ventilate an architecture by creating a pressure difference between its interior and exterior. Static vents are also called turtle or box vents.

Ridge Vents Without a Baffle

Another passive roof vent is the ridge vent without a baffle installed along the roof’s peak. Unlike ridge vents with a baffle, they do not have a physical barrier that separates the incoming and outgoing air streams, which can cause the vent to function less efficiently.

Gable and Vents

Instead of vertical airflow, gable vents for attics employ horizontal or cross ventilation. Typically, air enters the attic on one side and leaves on the other. Therefore, these vents can be installed on the side of a house.

Ridge Vents vs. Box Vents

Passive roof vents, such as ridge vents and box vents, are installed to increase airflow inside a structure. While box vents are seated on the roof surface, ridge vents are put along the roof’s peak. Furthermore, box vents are often installed in groups and need more roof space than ridge vents. Better shielding from the storms and the fact that they are less noticeable from the ground are two advantages of ridge vents. On the other hand, box vents are less expensive and simpler to install, but each homeowner should decide which option will fit best on their roof.

Call Revived Exteriors if You Need a Proper Roof Ventilation System in Chicago, IL

With a mission to be recognized as a leader in exterior construction, we provide our customers with high-quality materials and worry-free customer service. In addition, we have been in the industry for over 30 years, gained experience, and polished our craftsmanship.

Furthermore, all the employees of Revived Exteriors are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, so you won’t have to worry about anything. Our work and dedication speak for themselves; we have had many satisfied clients throughout the years that can confirm our professionalism.

Don’t waste more time finding the right roofing company because Revived Exteriors has been providing roofing services for decades.

Therefore, if you need a roofing contractor with many years of experience, contact Revived Exteriors, a roofing company in Chicago, IL!