Roofing glossary

What Is Ridge Vent?

The quick answer

What is ridge vent?

A ridge vent is a ventilation component installed along the roof's peak that allows hot, moist attic air to exhaust continuously along its entire length.

Ridge vents run the full length of the roof's ridge (peak) and work with soffit vents at the eaves to create continuous airflow through the attic — hot air naturally rises and exits at the ridge, pulling fresh air in through the soffits. This continuous design generally outperforms individual box vents, which only ventilate the area immediately around each vent.

Frequently asked

Is a ridge vent better than box vents?

Generally yes — a ridge vent provides continuous exhaust along the entire roof peak rather than isolated points, creating more even attic airflow, though proper soffit intake is required either way for it to work.

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