What does a ridge cap look like?
On asphalt shingle roofs
Stand back and look at the very top of the roof. You will see a narrow band, slightly thicker than the field shingles, made of short pieces that each overlap the next like scales. Each piece bends over the peak so half sits on each slope. Standard caps are low and neat; high profile caps are noticeably taller and cast a heavier shadow line.
Vented versus solid
If the roof has a ridge vent, the cap sits a little higher, and you may see a thin gap or mesh line along the bottom edges of the cap where air exits. Older roofs may instead have a plain cap with box vents lower on the slope; see ridge vents vs box vents.
On metal roofs
A continuous metal cover, usually in 10 foot sections lapped together, bent to the roof angle and fastened with screws or hidden clips. The ends are finished with closures where the ridge meets the gable.
On tile roofs
Barrel shaped or angled cap tiles set in a line, sometimes bedded in mortar with visible mortar edges.
What damage looks like
- A missing piece leaves a visible gap or exposed nails.
- Lifted pieces sit crooked or flap in wind.
- Cracks across the fold, common on old caps that have baked in Georgia sun.
Hips, the sloped outside corners on hip roofs, use the same cap pieces. Roof anatomy explained labels every part.