Georgia Roof Guide

What is a ridge vent?

Short answer. A ridge vent is a continuous exhaust vent installed along the peak of a sloped roof, over a slot cut in the roof deck and under the ridge cap shingles. It lets hot, moist air escape from the top of the attic along its whole length, while soffit vents under the eaves let fresh air in.

How it works

Warm air rises to the attic peak. With a slot open along the ridge, that air escapes, and cooler air is drawn in at the eaves to replace it. Wind adds to the effect: as wind passes over the roof, the ridge becomes a low pressure zone, and vents with an external baffle shape the airflow so it pulls air out instead of pushing rain in.

What it is made of

How it is installed, in brief

The roofer cuts a slot on each side of the peak, typically about an inch from center, stopping short of the ends; installs the vent full length; and nails cap shingles over it with nails long enough to penetrate the deck. Intake at the eaves is confirmed, and other exhaust vents in the same attic are removed.

Why homeowners like them

They vent evenly, hide under the cap shingles, have no moving parts and add no holes in the field of the roof. Their main limits are that they depend on intake and need enough ridge length. Compare in ridge vent vs box vents, and learn the theory in roof ventilation basics.

In depth

Does a hot Georgia attic shorten the life of your shingles?How hot Georgia attics and shingles get, what research says about ventilation and shingle life, and when radiaHow much attic ventilation does a Georgia roof need?Attic ventilation for Georgia homes: intake and exhaust balance, the IRC R806 1/150 and 1/300 rules with workeRidge vent or box vents: which is better, and can you use both?Ridge vents vs box vents, turbines and power fans for Georgia attics: how each works, why mixing exhaust types

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