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Metal Ridge Vent For Shingle Roof

Metal Ridge Vent For Shingle Roof

The main purpose of a roof is to cover and protect the rest of the home. Functioning as a shield, most homeowners focus on trying to get their roofs sealed and insulated. Unfortunately, many people tend to overlook the need for proper roof ventilation. While there are some types of roofs that don’t require ventilation, such as a hot roof,  most roofs on the other hand need to have structures that allow hot air to escape. Without proper ventilation, these roofs are likely to experience internal condensation and you’ll end up seeing leaks and water damage even with a completely sealed and impenetrable roof barrier that’s been successfully keeping the water out. Aside from preventing condensation, roof ventilation is also important if you want to minimize both your heating and cooling bills, and give your shingle roof a longer life.

One way to provide proper roof ventilation is through ridge vents. Ridge vents are vents that are at the top of a pitched or sloped roof. The ridge is the peak of the roof. Since it is the highest area of the roof, hot air tends to travel up and accumulate right below the ridge. With a ridge vent, the air is able to exit into the external environment. This type of vent is commonly found on top of shingled roofs on residential properties. 

The 2 main types of ridge events are identified as either shingle-over vents or aluminum vents. The main difference between these 2 is that shingle-over vents are installed on top of the ridge and are then covered up by a layer of asphalt shingles caps. This gives the roof a clean finish since the ridge will have shingle caps that match the rest of the roof. On the other hand, an aluminum or metal ridge vent has a mushroom-like shape with a wide flange at both sides. The flange sits on top of the asphalt shingles of the roof. No caps or shingles are installed on top of the metal ridge vent. The construction and installment of the ridge is similar for either of the 2 types of vents on any type of shingle roofing in Yonkers NY.

 

Why Do I Need a Metal Ridge Vent?

Metal ridge vents are an integral part of your roofing system. Aside from performing their main purpose of allowing hot and humid air out, these vents are also energy savers. With the right installation, your metal ridge vent should also help prolong your roof’s lifespan. These are just some of the many advantages that the installation of a metal ridge vent on your property will give you.

 

Roof Ridge Vent Advantages

Help control and balance your home temperature

Whether you are installing a new roof on a newly built home or replacing your old roof, the ridge vent works to facilitate the release of warm, humid air. Especially during the warmer seasons, homeowners are likely to notice that attic spaces get significantly hotter. Your air conditioning won’t be able to properly cool down your home if you have all that hot air stuck inside your property without a proper escape route. That is where the air vents come in. They allow the hot air to get out, helping you save up on air conditioning expenses. 

During the winter, you don’t have to worry about the heat from escaping since ridge vents are actually designed in a way that the pressure from the cooler air outside will block the exit. Thus, the warm air inside your home doesn’t just go out. In this way, no matter the season, you’ll be able to save up on utility bills.

 

Ridge Vents give your home a sleek finish

While the ridge of your roof isn’t easily noticeable from the ground, the added detail of having that metallic finish at the top of your home gives the overall look a nice, sleek, touch. The ridge vents don’t affect the actual roof structure that much and, depending on how much ventilation your home needs, could take up just a small portion of a roof or run along the entire length of your ridge.

Avoid Rodent or Insect Infestations

Traditional ventilations systems required the use of traps to avoid letting small animals such as rats, squirrels, raccoons, and even insects from getting in. These traps often create some form of blockage that compromised ventilation air flow. Metallic ridge vents no longer require such traps because of the inherent design. This type of vent has no entry points where rodents or insects can try to get in.

Natural Air Flow

The natural wind that flows right over your roof acts as a natural medium that helps pull out the warm air stuck inside your attic or roof space. Since there will probably always be a breeze over your home every now and then, the constant change in air pressure is an effective way to get the air out without having to install anything else. 

Independent Ventilation System

While ridge vents can function well in conjunction with soffit or box vents that facilitate air intake, they are still able to function as stand-alone ventilation systems. That means that it isn’t necessary to install other ventilation systems in your home. However, having multiple entry and exit points for air flow is still highly recommended. 

When properly installed, ridge vents are a great way to ventilate your roof. During the summer, it allows the warm air to escape and helps cool your home. However, in the winter, it is able to keep the air in, keeping your home warm. The key is making sure your metal ridge vent is properly installed to ensure that you can take advantage of all the benefits it provides.

 

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