Ridge Vents vs Box Vents

I was walking through a new housing development when I noticed that none of the roofs had box vents for ventilation.  Every home was using ridge vents. The look is much more appealing then box vents but in all fairness, box vents are on placed on the backside of the home so you don’t see them from the front of the home.

Which venting system is better? This is an important question to ask yourself when considering a roof on your new home or replacing a roof on your older home. Box vents and continuous ridge vents are separated by a few differences, and deciding which one to put on your roof depends on which better fits which type of roof you have. The Roofing Services Concord NC can help with getting your roof as good as new.

Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof’s ridge, allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. It also works better because it creates a vacuum in your attic.  The cost comparison for ridge vents can be around $400-$500 which is more expensive then box vents but it’s all relative and the cost isn’t that expensive when considering the labor savings from the time it takes to add box vents. The Dallas services is what one needs to have their roofs inspected and fixed.

Ridge Vents

Ridge vents are widely known for being more efficient. Roofing manufacturers’ warranties require a minimum of one square foot of ventilation for every 150sf of attic space for traditional systems, but only one square foot of ventilation for every 300sf when the ridge vent system is used. That is a good indication of the difference in efficiency. The roof repair from Ram Roofing in Urbandale is whom you can consult to get your roof fixed.

Ridge vents have the ability to work with vaulted ceilings, and you only need one of them to get the job done for ventilation, as compared to multiple box vents. It is the more expensive vs. a box roof vent, but it’s still non-mechanical, so you will not need to spend money on electrical issues or failures in the system. These systems are best for shingled roofs.

There are many good ridge vents on the market, and the continuous vent, as opposed to the individual roof vent, is the most effective. Most manufacturers now use a durable plastic, or aluminum, to avoid rust. If using plastic in cold climates, make sure it is rated to withstand subfreezing temperatures.

Box Vents

Box vents are not mechanical vents and work better when used with soffit ventilation. They’re designed to work with open attics and do not need to be placed close to roof ridges to work optimally. They are also known as low profile vents because they are static and installed over a hole cut into the roof. They use natural winds and convection to move hot air and moisture out of the attic into the air outside. You will usually need more than one on your roof to remove all of the heat and moisture from your attic, with the exact number depending on the square footage of your attic.

Roofers prefer installing ridge vents because they’re easier than cutting numerous holes in the roof and then having to cut shingles around them. The other benefit to ridge vents is that small animals like squirrels can’t chew holes and get into your attic like they can with box vents. However, there are box vents screens that can be installed to prevent squirrels from getting in the attic.

Roofing Ventilation Tips

Ideally, air circulates under the roof by being drawn up through a continuous soffit vent, through the attic space, and then out the ridge through a continuous ridge vent. This is the smoothest and most efficient system. But few houses have continuous soffit and ridge vents. Most houses, however, do have some type of vent on the roof or an opening at gable ends. Houses with no rafter overhang, or a very short one, may not have soffits. Older houses may not have vents between the rafters leading into the attic space. Venting was not a major problem in older houses because they leaked air everywhere. But with the advent of better roofs and tighter house construction, moisture became a more significant issue.

Vent screens should be cleaned regularly because accumulated dust and grime can significantly restrict air movement. Fans connected to thermostats can be placed at gable end openings to draw hot air out of the attic space when temperatures reach a preset level.

When making the decision on ventilating your home please consider ridge vents as an efficient option to box vents.  But, if you have any question do not hesitate to call the experts at Exterior Renovations.