What is a metal ridge cap?
How it works
Metal panels stop a few inches short of the peak on each side, and the ridge cap bridges that opening. Because ribbed panels leave gaps under the cap at every rib, installers fill them with closure strips: solid foam closures that seal completely, or vented closures with a mesh that lets attic air out but blocks rain, insects and wasps. Caps usually come in pieces around 10 feet long that overlap at the joints, sealed with butyl tape.
Types you will see
- Plain ridge cap. A simple angled piece, common on exposed fastener panel roofs.
- Rolled or ribbed ridge cap. Has a rounded center rib for a finished look.
- Standing seam ridge. Attached to Z-shaped closures with concealed fasteners instead of screws through the face.
- Metal on a shingle roof. Some homeowners ask about metal caps over asphalt shingles. Shingle makers specify matching shingle ridge caps for their system warranties, so metal on a shingle ridge is unusual.
What it costs
Ridge cap is sold by the piece or linear foot, painted to match the panels. The material is a modest part of a metal roof's cost; most of the price is panels, closures, trim labor and the care it takes to seal the ridge correctly. On an existing roof, a leaking ridge cap usually means loose fasteners, dried out sealant or deteriorated closures, a fairly small repair if caught early.
For more on metal systems, see metal roofing in Georgia and ridge vents vs box vents.