Hello:

Will be having a roofing job, and the roofer suggested a "ridge roof vent" be added by him when he does the new shingle installation.

Did a Google search on these things, but a bit confused how they work.

a. what keeps the rain out if the rain is driven horizontally by a strong wind, which sometimes does happen ?

Wouldn't any "horiz" or near horiz. rain get right into the attic ?

b. Didn't see any mention of screens for these things. What keeps the bugs and flies out ?

c. BTW: do they come in different materials ? If so, what would I want ?

All in all, a good idea in your opinions ?

(what's a typical or reasonable cost for a typical 40' or so length roof line for the item and installation ?)

Anything I should be sure to ask for, or get, if we go ahead with
getting this ?

Thanks, Bob

 

Hi Bob, the roof ridge vents do work better than the gable end vents in the side of a house. Heat rises stright up to the roof vent.

Yes, they do have screens on them for bug and bird protection. They are flanged enough to prevent rain from coming in.

For cost, check out Lowes or Home Depot, you can do it online.

Earl

 

Just go for some button vents up near the ridge . Some codes dont let ridge vents be put in. Strong wind can blow rain water in. A lite snow can block them. Over the years the ones with a filter in them block from dirt. You need 1 sq ft of vent for every 150sq ft on attic. 1/2 in at the over hang and 1/2 out at the ridge

 

Ed,

Good points on the ridge vent - I am preparing to reroof was going to add a ridge vent until I read your post.

Got a few follow-up questions:

Just to understand what you are saying about location, are you saying that I should go with button and gable vents?

Would the 1 ft sq vent area:150 ft sq attic area include soffit vents?

Do you have any opinion on powered vents (roof exhaust fan)?

Assuming powered vents are good to add, my house has a whole house attic fan - are you aware of any problems with the powered vent fan used in conjunction with the attic fan? I can imagine the whole house fan could possibly lead to overspeeding the powered roof fan.

Thanks.

 

Hello:

Here's where I really appear dumb, but best way to learn, iIguess:

What are "button vents" ?

Pros and cons for their usage, etc. ?

Any good links showing pi etc.x; tried but couldn't come up with anything good ?

Thanks,
B.

 

Robert111
This might show you a roof what we call button vents .
http://building-materials.gillroys.com/Ventilators/Roof_ventilators/Slant_Back_Roof_Louver-s120327.html

mtujohn That sq ft vent you need is 1/2 in from the overhang and 1/2 out up near the ridge.
If you want a power vent fan and they are good if you run the AC a long time. Attis sq ft X0.7=== the CFM of the fan.
my house has a whole house attic fan - are you aware of any problems with the powered vent fan used in conjunction with the attic fan?
Now if you are going to run and use the AC forget that house fan get it out of there. Go one way or the other. With the house fan it pulls humidity in to the home real bad. So then when you go to AC . It takes the AC 5 to 6 days just to start to get the humidity back out of the home. To make you feel cool .Just a drop in temp dont do it . You have to get the humidity down also so you feel cool

 

Thanks - makes complete sense!