Attic Air Ridge Vent

Ridge vents do not always provide the proper ventilation in some homes.

Attic air ridge vent.

Without baffles blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all. Figure courtesy of air vent inc. Vents in the soffit beneath the eaves at the bottom of the attic draw in cool outside air while gable or ridge vents at the peak of the attic allow heated air to exit. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape.

The effect of ridge vents for the roof depends upon the energy efficient nature of the structure. This over heated air can damage roof structures and shingles as well as increase cooling costs in the home. You ll be able to move air throughout the attic without the use of fans or turbines when enough space is given to this vent design. Attic and roof temperatures can soar as high as 160 degrees in the summer.

Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. Or worse the exhaust vents could lead to warm moist air from the house s interior being pulled into the attic which could be problematic. The fan replaced an existing can light in the shower and was located in a very difficult corner. In hot climates a power vent fan is often mounted behind a gable vent or cut into the roof near the peak to assist this process by forcibly expelling additional hot air from the.

Since there isn t any provision for the intake of air the ridge vent is basically ineffective. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available. Air vent shinglevent ii 1 4 in. We see many older homes with no attic ventilation and some that have recently had ridge vents installed.

Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge. Figure 5 ridge vent vs. A shirt 30 minutes later and ventilation through the roof was completed. List of the cons of roof ridge vents.

Ridge vent in black with nails sold in carton of 10 4 ft. Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Ridge vents provide constant airflow along the entire undersideof the roof to help remove heat and moisture. While this provides an outlet for air flow it does not provide an inlet to complete the convection cycle needed for proper ventilation.