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Ridge Vent Installation
Aluminum and Plastic Ridge Vent Installation
By Mark J. Donovan
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A ridge vent plays an integral
part in allowing air to circulate in your attic. A ridge vent works in
conjunction with soffit vents (located in the roof eves / overhangs) to
allow air to circulate in the attic. Without soffit and ridge vents, attic
air temperatures can rise to extremely high levels. High attic air
temperatures can result in reduced shingle life and elevated temperatures in
the upper level rooms of the home.
A ridge vent is located at the
peak of a roof and typically runs the length of the roof. |
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There are two types of ridge
vent installation methods / materials to choose from. The low cost solution is
to use pre-fabricated aluminum ridge vents. Pre-fabricated aluminum ridge vents
come in 8 or 10 foot lengths, and are available in several colors. When
installing aluminum ridge vents, 1-1/4” roofing nails should be used.
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A roofing nail should be nailed over each roof
rafter or truss when installing the ridge vent. Ridge vent seams should be
covered with ridge vent joint straps. The ends of the ridge vent should be
capped off with end connector plugs, and a dab of roofing tar should be
applied over each nail. Aluminum ridge vent installation is quick and
easy, however they are susceptible to wind damage. Consequently, you should
annually check the ridge vent for loosened nails or dried out roofing tar.
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You may need to install replacement nails, and/or add a dab of fresh roofing
tar over the nails and old nail holes.
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Photos by Mark Donovan
Today’s preferred choice for ridge vent installation is to use a plastic ridge
vent that can then be capped with shingle tabs. Shingled covered plastic ridge
vents are less susceptible to wind damage and thus require less maintenance.
Plastic ridge vent comes in 4 foot lengths and are installed by butting them up
against each other the length of the ridge vent, and fastening them with nails.
Three (3) inch galvanized nails should be used to fasten the plastic ridge vent
to the roof rafters or trusses. Shingle tabs (1/3 the length of a 3-tab shingle)
can then be cut and placed over the length of plastic ridge vent to cap it. The
shingles should be attached to the plastic ridge vent using 2” roofing nails.
For more help on Shingling Your Home's Roof, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet.
The
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Bid Sheet
will
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that
your roof won't end up with a blue tarp over it and a dumpster sitting in your
yard for weeks
as you wait for the roofing contractor to come back and finish roofing your
home.
How to Finance your Roof Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
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