How Good is a Ridge Vent?

by Isa Stralian

Ridge vents on a roof are better than nothing, but not by much.

Your sense of aesthetics prevents you from considering anything noticeable even if it does work better so you choose a ridge vent.
After all a vent is a vent isn’t it, or so you would like to think.

You can consider a ridge vent advantageous when it’s installed to a roof that has a 30 degree pitch or higher.
This also dependent on the design of the ridge vent.

When considering the cost in both purchase and installation I personally wouldn’t consider installing it on my home as there are better performing alternatives.

You may think it’s a great idea but when comparing the performance in all conditions you may want to think again.
When one mentions ridge vent it’s the same as when someone mentions a ‘car’.

What type?
There are good, not so good and downright ridiculous.
As ridge vent design goes, this is considered to be one of the better types regarding construction and comes at a higher cost than most.

But as you can see the design above has all of the precautionary aspects regarding ingress of debris and other undesirable matter.
You will note that for the air to get out the flow path is somewhat torturous.
A little like getting through a doorway that is obstructed with a door that won’t open sufficiently to let you through easily.
Another criticism is that when one side is exposed to wind pressure you are going to get debris such as leaves and such.
This introduces a maintenance factor you hadn’t considered.
So what you initially though was a good idea doesn’t sound as good anymore.
I suggest you focus on the negative and not the positive claims and not .

To summerize

If you want to ventilate a roof in an appropriate manner then give a little more thought as to the pros and cons, not the price.
Remember that all advantages have a corresponding disadvantage.
When it comes to roof ventilation you need to ask yourself…
What am I expecting it to do?

Is it cooling during summer?
Is it removing moisture such as condensation?
Do I know what the advantages and disadvantages are?
Because if you don’t you may be in for an unpleasant experience.

Condor Kinetic