What Is A Ridge Vent?
A ridge vent is a type of vent that is installed at the peak or roof ridge of a roof. Ridge vents are most common on asphalt, shingled, residential homes or buildings. The ridge vent works by pulling in air through a soffit vent or vented perforated piece of soffit and then allowing the warm, humid air to escape the home or structure’s attic through the ridge vent.
When building a roof, a section of the roof decking is cut a few inches from the peak and down the entire length of the home on both sides. Once shingles are in place, a material used for venting (generally molded plastic or fiber mesh) is fastened down over the area where decking was cut back. After this ridge venting material is installed a ridge cap, made from asphalt shingles, is installed over it to prevent water from entering the home at the peak of the roof ridge.