What is the best roof venting system, and what makes a good ridge vent system?
Features that separate good ridge vents
- External baffle: deflects wind over the vent, creating suction and keeping rain out.
- Weather filter: fabric that blocks insects, debris and wind-driven rain.
- Rigid construction: resists crushing from nails and foot traffic.
- Published net free area: listed per linear foot so the system can be sized.
- Tested performance: documented weather infiltration testing in the product literature.
- Pitch range: rated for your roof slope.
The system warranty angle
Major shingle brands sell ridge vents, starter strips, underlayments and ridge caps designed to work together. Using them, installed by a certified contractor, is often a condition of the enhanced warranties those brands offer. Read the warranty terms before mixing brands.
Intake still decides performance
The best ridge vent does nothing without intake. Continuous soffit or edge intake vents with baffles complete the system, and the intake should be at least equal to the exhaust the ridge vent provides.
When a ridge vent is not the answer
On hip roofs with only a few feet of ridge, a matched set of static or off-ridge vents from the same shingle manufacturer can be the better system. On a sealed spray foam attic, the best venting system is none at all. Choose the system for the roof you have, then match the components.
Robust Roofing lays out how manufacturer and workmanship coverage fit together on its warranty page. Related: roofing warranties explained and ridge vent vs box vents.