Well, If you don't have a ridge vent now and don't have a humidity or heat problem then I don't think I would worry about it too much. In hot climates it might help to take some of the heat away from the attic space and thus reduce some of the cooling load and in cold climates it can help keep the attic space from condensing moisture under the roof deck and ultimately dropping onto the ceiling below.
They come in various flavours but essentially the top couple of inches of the decking at the ridge is removed and a metal vent cap is nailed down over the peak. This will have several longitudinal veins angled down to shed water and to reduce the risk of water being blown in and there will be screening to keep critters and insects out. The point is to allow heated air to escape out of the peak as it rises drawing the cooler air in the soffit screening under the eaves. This flow of air is supposed to cool the under side of the decking and it probably helps to preserve the life of the shingles as they too will be cooler. I don't have much experience with them, I believe that some have a flange which over rides the top edge of the shingles but I do not know if all are designed like that. You should probably check them out at a building store and ask to be shown how the various types are installed. Thanks. ----- Original Message ----- From: David Sexton To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 5:06 PM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Replacing a roof I have a one gallon air compressor, but I doubt that'll be too good for a roofing nailer. I've heard the problem with them is they drive nails either too far or not far enough, is this true? Well, I did need an excuse to buy a bigger air compressor. What about a ridge vent? There isn't one currently and I'm not sure what they look like let alone how to install them. David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.24.6/1484 - Release Date: 6/4/2008 4:40 PM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
