What are the different types of ridge caps?
Short answer. The main ridge cap types are cut 3 tab caps, pre-formed hip and ridge shingles, high profile caps, vented ridge systems, metal ridge caps, and tile ridge pieces. On asphalt roofs, the manufacturer's matched hip and ridge shingle is now the standard choice.
For asphalt shingle roofs
- Cut 3 tab caps. Pieces cut from 3 tab shingles and bent over the ridge. Cheap, but thin, prone to cracking at the fold, and less common now.
- Pre-formed hip and ridge shingles. Made specifically for capping, with a sealant strip and the right thickness and color to match architectural shingles. The standard choice today.
- High profile caps. Taller, thicker pieces for a bolder ridgeline, usually paired with premium shingles.
- Vented ridge with cap. A ridge vent product installed over a slot in the decking, covered by cap shingles. Function comes from the vent; the cap is the weather layer.
For metal roofs
- Standard metal ridge cap: a bent sheet, plain or with hemmed edges, fastened over closures.
- Vented metal ridge: the same cap over a vented closure or vent material.
- Rolled or rounded ridge: decorative curved caps used on some styles.
For tile and slate
- Barrel or angled ridge tiles, either bedded in mortar or mechanically fastened to a ridge board.
- Slate roofs use slate saddle ridges or metal ridge rolls.
Metal ridge roll
A rounded metal cover, often copper or aluminum, used historically and still seen on some older homes.
Whichever type you have, the cap needs to match the roof's ventilation design. See ridge vents vs box vents and metal roofing in Georgia.