Ridge Vents For Metal Roofs. Everything You Need To Know
You are thinking about installing a metal roof and would like to install it yourself. Since you have never done this before you have lots of questions. One of the questions that we answer regularly is “What is ridge vent?”.
A ridge vent will allow damp and warm air to leave the attic. This decreases the amount of moisture and balances the temperature within the attic. A ridge vent that is correctly installed will lower your energy bill and increase energy efficiency.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we have decades of experience selling and installing metal roofing. We can answer all of your metal roofing questions and provide you manufacturer direct pricing.
Our goal in this article is to explain:
- What is a ridge vent?
- How much does ridge vent cost?
- What does ridge vent do?
- Why is proper ventilation important?
- Benefits of ridge vent
- How to install ridge vent
If you enjoy this article then we recommend that you read this article also:
How To Install Ridge Cap On A Metal Roof. Step By Step Guide
What Is A Ridge Vent?
A ridge vent is designed to allow air to flow freely from the attic. It’s made from a permeable material and is placed on top of the metal roofing panels at the ridge of the roof. The ridge vent is then covered with a metal ridge cap. The purpose of the ridge vent is to create constant air flow along the horizontal ridge of your home.
It allows the stale air in the attic to be drawn out on a year round basis. Only ridge vents can provide a constant flow of air along the entire horizontal ridge of your house.
Ridge vent is available for most popular metal roofing profiles such as: ⅞” Corrugated, R Panel/PBR Panel, Western Rib/7.2 Panel, and standing seam, and more.
How Much Does Ridge Vent Cost?
The cost of ridge vent is approximately $3.00 per linear foot. This means that an average size house would only cost $150 to $250 in ridge vent material. It’s so easy and quick to install that the cost of labor is negligible.
What Is The Purpose Of A Ridge Vent?
A ridge vent is designed to let warm and damp air escape from the attic. This will decrease the amount of moisture within the attic. Ridge vents also help to create a balanced temperature and can significantly reduce indoor pollution levels in your home. When installed properly a ridge vent will increase energy efficiency and lower your energy bill. In addition, it will keep bees, wasps, insects, and bats out of the attic.
The Benefits Of Proper Ventilation
When you are designing your home it’s unlikely that you have given much thought to attic ventilation. It would be a costly mistake to overlook attic ventilation because the proper amount of attic ventilation will help to protect the entire house.
The appropriate amount of attic ventilation will help you maintain a more comfortable living environment within the house. Ridge vents help to reduce the amount of heat and condensation that can accumulate over time.
During the day, the heat generated from the sun accumulates in the attic and radiates your house. This can cause moisture that could create numerous problems like mold or mildew, rust, decreased air quality, and possibly structural damage. Mold or structural damage is expensive to fix and having a vented ridge will decrease the likelihood of these problems.
Furthermore, you want to prevent the insulation in the attic from getting wet. Wet insulation will lose its ability to insulate. Also a lack of attic ventilation is one of the main contributors to ice damming which can cause expensive damage to your home.
What Are The Benefits Of A Ridge Vent On A Metal Roof?
- Allows the heat to escape the attic which will prevent damage caused by snow, ice, and moisture.
- Lowers energy costs.
- Continuous airflow which increases energy efficiency
- Ridge vents for a metal roof are inexpensive.
- No maintenance.
- 40 year limited warranty.
- Ridge vents cannot be seen because they sit underneath the metal ridge cap.
- Fits under any ridge cap.
- Easy and quick installation.
- Prevents insects from getting into the attic.
- Won’t clog from airborne dust.
- Made from fire resistant material.
How To Install A Ridge Vent For A Metal Roof
If you have a vented ridge cap it will require a ridge vent such as ProfileVent®.
Here are some easy to follow installation instructions.
- Ensure that there is a 2 inch wide opening at the ridge for ventilation. This is needed for proper installation.
- Start from the end of the ridge and start rolling out the ridge vent along the length of both sides of the ridge cap.
- Install the ridge cap.
If you would like more information on installing ridge cap we suggest you read this article:
How To Install Ridge Cap For A Corrugated Metal Roof. Step By Step Guide. - Clean the surface of the metal roofing panel. A clean surface is needed for the adhesive of the ProfileVent to stick properly.
- Install bottom edge of ProfileVent 1” up-slope from the edge of the ridge cap.
- ProfileVent ridge vent comes in 50 foot rolls. If your ridge is longer than fifty feet than butt the ends.
We suggest reading: How To Install Ridge Cap On A Metal Roof. Step By Step Guide
Metal Roofing Installation
If you are going to install a metal roof there will be a lot to learn. If the metal roofing trim or screws aren’t installed correctly on your roof it will leak. The next step is to learn more about metal roofing installation.
Our easy to navigate Metal Roofing Learning Center has step by step videos that will explain how to install metal roofing panels.
Save Money On Your Metal Roofing Panels
It’s always a good idea to get quotes from more than one company. Metal roofing quotes vary quite a bit. It could cost fifty percent more with one metal roofing supplier versus a different company. If you have not already purchased your metal roofing panels our online form is quick and easy to fill out. We would like to offer you a free quote.
When you purchase metal roofing from Western States Metal Roofing you are buying manufacturer direct. There are no middle men involved. This will save you 15% to 50%. We offer inexpensive delivery throughout the entire United States and will provide excellent customer service.
About Paul Rubio
Paul Rubio is the Vice President and one of the owners of Western States Metal Roofing. He has been in the metal roofing industry for 25 years. WSMR is a manufacturer of metal roofing, wall panels, and metal siding. We have colors and finishes that nobody else has with nearly 100 different colors in stock. Our selection of color options and finishes is likely the largest in the industry.