Roofing question...

[ToolGuy]

My neighbors both got new roofs yesterday and the other last summer...Both got the plastic vents protruding from the roof and on the backside of the house. My house had a new roof in 1997 by the previous owners and I have I believe what is called a Ridge Vent? The kind of venting were the top peak angled edge is cut out of the wood, this plastic gauze type screen is put down, a couple inches high and than it is shingled over. So in essience, a large vent running the entire length of the roof... My question: which is better?I like mine, it is not ugly and IMO would vent better.

[joatmon]

my ridge vents leaked, and I had to have most of the roof decking replaced.( big bucks )My new roof has no vents at all.

[ToolGuy]

Really...Mine roof is solid (for now at least) and my parents had theirs installed about 15 years ago, no issues on theirs too. Well at least you are not wet now!

[joatmon]

I don't think ridge vents are inherently leak prone, just that mine did. Don't take my one bad experience as proof of wide scale issues. If people did that, nobody who ever read any of the Colonel's troubles would ever buy a Vibe A new roof is great though. I no longer fear the rain.

[jimincalif]

When we reroofed a prior house, we added the ridge vent, which never leaked while we owned the house, and you're right, it is visually appealing. And the way that house was oriented to the street any other protruding vents would have been ugly.Seems to make a lot of sense as it gives a way for the hot air to escape at the peak where it normally rises.

[mspalmer]

I've heard good and bad things about ridge vents. They do allow better air circulation but as of a couple years ago, they had a tendency to get clogged and become less effecient.I had a new roof put on and we had ridge vents added and they left a couple of the traditional "can vents" in the back.

[BlueCrush]

The ridge vent is more expensive but more efficient by allowing the heat to escape at the highest point of the roof and along the entire roof ridge. There shouldn't be any leaking problems if it is sealed properly. If you have leaks, you better get it looked at asap because it will create mold/mildew over time and then you will have a much bigger and more expensive problem.BTW, I have been designing and drafting homes for builders for 15yrs.

[Namron]

Since the vents are used for keeping the attic cooler and therefore helping the shingles last longer. In the last two two houses I've owned I've added a thermosticly controlled fan in the vent on the end of the house. You need to have plenty of vents to the attic or you'll create a vacuum.Having the fan really helps the AC keep the second floor cooler during the summer.Namron

[ToolGuy]

I had a feeling ridge vents would be more expensive; more labor involved and more materials than just a few plastic vents cut into the boards. Or at least it seems that way to me...Thanks, for the tips and info everyone! I just had to ask...