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  • Writer's pictureMatt O'Dore

What is a Roof Ridge Vent? (& The Other Types of Roof Vents)

Updated: Feb 23


Ridge vent on roof

The roof getting too cold or too hot during winter or summer can be a severe problem down the line but luckily, there are roof vents to settle the effects of drastic temperature changes.

There are various types of roofs and each of them needs different roof vents that a Vancouver Washington roofing contractor like Matador Exteriors can offer to you. No matter what type of roof vents your roof gets, they have a similar purpose: which is to offer good roof airflow.

Nevertheless, there are numerous kinds of roof vents, and you must pick the right one for your roof. In this article, the styles of roof vents are mentioned below. It contains both intake and exhaust roof vents for a better adaptable choice.

In case you're searching for roof vents, continue reading this post to know in detail about the different types of roof vents that Vancouver Washington roofing contractors can offer to you.


What Is A Ridge Roof Vent?

Man caulking ridge vent

A ridge roof vent is an exhaust vent installed on the ridge of your roof. As soon as you install such a roof vent, the air slot is cut in your roof deck first at the peak of the roof. Then, this air slot gets covered by the ridge roof vent itself.

These vents help to deliver uniform, continuous air exhaust ventilation at the peak portion of the roof and are prepared to help withstand wind-driven snow and rain, as well as debris and insect infiltration.

Then ridge cap shingles are generally installed over the roof's ridge vent to cover it and deliver a clean completed look on the attic, with the metal ridge vents' exception which doesn't need the usage of ridge cap shingles.

For your roof ventilation method to work appropriately, air ought to be capable of entering your roof and exiting it to deliver a constant flow of external air through the roof space.


What Are The Other Types of Roof Vents The Vancouver Washington Roofing Contractors Offer?

Diagram of attic venting

To have the finest roof ventilation design, you will have to strike a good balance between the intake as well as exhaust roof vents. There are mainly two types of roof vents that the roofing companies Vancouver WA offers to their customers. These are as follows...


Intake Roof Vents:

The intake roof vents are for “taking outdoor air into your roof or attic.


Exhaust Roof Vents:

The exhaust roof vents are there for sending air outside from your roof or attic.

With air gliding in & out of the attic through intake vents and then exhaust roof vents, the air will stay cool as well as dry, which holds the configuration of your home.

So, below are a handful number of intake and exhaust vents that Vancouver Washington roofing contractors offer to their customers. Let's have a look at the different types of roof vents here...


Wind Turbines or Whirlybirds

Wind turbine

These vents work like a power roof vent but they function using free energy which is the wind. The exterior blades of such a vent catch the outside wind. Just ensure to keep all the parts of such vents lubricated so that it does not make any squeaking noise.

Often these vents can be power-driven as well. In case you intend to install the wind Turbines or Whirlybirds, consider your location. Is your area windy enough for this traditional wind-powered version to function or should you go for a vent that is electric-powered or solar-powered?


Box Vents

Box vents

The box vents are practically a square hole in your attic. With the use of soffit roof vents, they let the hot air escape the roof. Normally, you need more than just one chosen by your roof’s sq. ft. and they're visible even from the ground.


Power Fans or Power Attic Vents

Power fan illustration

Attic power vents are mounted to the attic of your home and these are attached to an electronic power source as well as, in maximum cases, the house's thermostat.


As soon as connected to your home's thermostat, these vents can turn on & off automatically based on the present household temperature as well as the typical settings. Such fans pull air from the roof and then send it outside.


Practically, then the air is replaced by outside air, producing a healthy rotation of airflow. In case the outside air is cooler, then your inside air will be cooler because of this airflow cycle.


Gable Vents

Gable vents

A Gable vent is a rectangle vent commonly found on the sides or front of a home, below the attic ridge. Equivalent to the turtle vents, gable vents do not function without the assistance of the soffit vents and then, typically only let some air out, not all.


Off-Ridge Vent

Off-ridge vent

You will need many of these vents for satisfactory ventilation. All around, these vents are a more inexpensive but less useful replacement for ridge roof vents. They must be positioned near your roof ridge to get the most heightened performance. These are not powered by power or wind and will depend exclusively on the hot air and escaping through the holes.


Turtle Vents


Turtle vents

These vents are curved non-mechanical vents (like the turtle shell) that let hot air exit the roof space. In cases not utilized with soffit vents, these vents generally release air only where they're installed.


Soffit Vents

Soffit vent

These are intake vents and these are installed in the eaves and soffit as well as help increase the airflow for the vents. Often these are utilized with other vents. The intake is important here to keep the air rushing well within the roof so that everything remains unchanging.


Cupola Vent

Cupola vent

These embellishing vents give a sophisticated look to any fixed vent for example a box vent. Often this masks the practical look of the normal box vent as well as gives a little bit of character & charm to the roof.


BOTTOM LINE

The overall expense of having the ridge vent or any other type of roof vent installed by renowned Vancouver Washington roofing contractors is approximate $400 to $500. In case you get the ridge vent installed at the time of roof replacement, then the cost might be lower.

All costs rely on your area. Most Vancouver Washington roofing contractors will agree that roof repair savings and energy savings overshadow the expense of installing the ridge vent. The ultimate call is entirely up to you.




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