One of the most cost efficient methods for cooling your home is having a ridge vent placed on your roof.  If you’ve ever sit in a physics class and really listened; you probably remember that heat rises.  As heat rises into attic spaces; this causes roofing materials, rafters, and even insulation to weather away, become damaged and ultimately need replacing.  Adequate ridge vent can add years to a home; not to mention it’s very attractive and appealing to homes.  Most new construction homes that are shingled with the raised architectural shingles look for a ridge vent that will combine need with overall visual appearance.

It’s very important for homes to be well balanced with circulating air; when wind is pushed over the ridge vent, it draws air out of the attic; then replacement air is then drawn into the underlying vent on the underside of the ridge vent.  This process creates a balanced ventilation system for your home.  This will keep your home dry and free from moisture; as well, it will keep your insulation and your home’s structural integrity intact.  Unlike many other cost saving and energy efficient methods that homeowner’s use; this one is free.  It’s all Mother Nature. 

Ridge vents, roof louvers and other non-powered attic venting systems are generally installed by professional roofers; however, most homeowner’s can easily calculate the amount of ventilation their home needs.  Most experts recommend having at least 1 foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic flooring.  So if you have an attic floor space of 1500 square feet; you’ll need at least 10 square feet of ventilation to adequately circulate the air.  As well, roof pitch, will have a lot to do with ventilation.  If your roof pitch is 7/12 or 10/12; you’ll need to add at least 20% to the final square footage.  For roofs with 11/12 or steeper pitches; you’ll need to add at least 30% to the final square footage of ventilation.  If you’re building a new home; you’ll probably want to check with your building inspector regarding ridge vent and the building codes in your area associated with proper ventilation.  However, it is important to remember that building codes are generally minimalistic; therefore, your home may not be adequately ventilated even going by those codes.  Underestimating ventilation in your home can create long-term problems with energy efficiency and even damage your home’s structure.

Experts recommend that homeowner’s should never mix non-powered ridge vent with other powered methods of circulation; for instance powered attic ventilators.  This can create an adverse affect, in which, both vents will be pulling air from each other; instead of the intake vents.  As well, experts recommend that homeowner’s should always adequately supply their homes with intake vents; as well as, exhaust vents.  Many homeowners’ will install exhaust vents and never consider the intake vents; for proper circulation and to ensure a dry attic area- both need to be done.

Homes that have a ridge vent are generally more attractive than homes that have numerous smaller vents and turbine vents.  A ridge vent can make a home look sleek and precise; it adds dimension and character to boring flat roofs.  Furthermore, if you properly ventilate a home; it would take at least 15 roof vents and 5 turbine vents to do the same job as a ridge vent with a length of 42 feet.  From a roofing standpoint; that’s at least 20 holes in your roof; more chances for roof leaks caused by flashing problems, lack of proper installation, as well as, leaves and debris. 

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