You may have heard about the goodness of ridge vents. Cheap, easiest to install, and recommended by many. Those are what they say about ridge vents.
Are those the truths? What about the drawbacks of this ventilation method? This article will show you about roof ridge vent pros cons – hence you can decide whether to use or not to use this method for your house.
Roof Ridge Vent Pros and Cons
The roof ridge vent is known as one of the mostly-used ventilation methods for houses. Not only is it effective, but it also costs relatively lower than other ‘techy’ methods; for example, the electric-powered attic vent or solar-powered attic vent.
The roof ridge vent pros and cons are as stated below :
Pros:
- It helps to balance the temperature of the house. Ridge vent helps to balance your house’s temperature as it enables warmer air to escape the house naturally, keeping the house cool during summer days.
- Since it has a simple look, no need to show off, the ridge vent’s shape isn’t prominent at all, unlike roof turbines or cupola vent.
- It is hard for pests to get through. Generally, people will also install blockage that prevents the little guys (rodents, raccoons, squirrels, or even snakes) from getting through your attic. Thanks to this blockage system, it’s pretty hard for bigger pests to get through the narrow entrance.
- It helps air to move out naturally. The air pressure plays the role of withdrawing the cool air outside and releasing the warmer air.
- No need to use this venting method with electricity.
Cons:
- It may take a higher chance to get your attic wet due to some rain splash.
- Ridge vents don’t work in all types of roofs. For example, flat roofs cannot benefit from this ventilation method. You need to place the vent in the slanted roof.
- If you own an older home, its installation cost will be higher as you may need to add soffit vents as well.
Are Ridge Vents Worth It?
It depends on the situation of your house itself. Let’s say, if you own a new house with a slanted roof, then it is fine for you to install ridge vents. After all, it suits your house’s features, and it seems like installing it will keep the ventilation costs lower.
To say it in general, most people will say that ridge vents are worth it, despite the ridge vents’ pros and cons. It is effective enough to deliver humid and hot air outside and change it with cooler air.
Compared with other mechanical ventilation methods (not electricity-powered), many people decide to pick this ventilation method as the best one. So, you may hear people saying ridge vents to answer ‘what is the best roof vent for a house?’ question.
Roof Ridge Vent Problems
- Leaking: Especially if the vent is installed improperly.
- Blow-off problem: If the area where you are living often be struck by some wild wind, then installing a ridge vent shouldn’t be your pick. Although using long nails to secure your ridge vent may help, that does not mean the problem is permanently fixed.
- Cracks: They may come as well, especially after extreme weather. Despite it being made from durable plastics, there are also chances of breaking it after extensive exposure to extreme weather.
- Installing it may reduce the effectiveness of other ventilation methods.
That sums up some information about roof ridge vent pros cons, problems that may come with its installation, and the worthiness to install it. To avoid the problem coming with it, you need to know how to install it properly.
Hiring a specific team to do it will help you to avoid having the problems mentioned earlier.
