Ridge Vents

[kmcmahon]

How in the hell can there possibly be adequate air flow if the ridge vent material is covered in fabric? I went up into the attic and a rush of air came out...plenty of undereave venting, but this ridge vent doesn't look like it breathes very well?????

[tdietrich1]

Good point. When calculating actual open space, you will be surprised how much you must discount. A typical window screen material has only about 50% of actual area verses the outside dimensions.

Baffle-less ridge vents are typically heavily screened to allow an overpressure via the soffits to prevent wind driven rain from entering. This is an observation, I don't design them.


tom

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by kmcmahon

How in the hell can there possibly be adequate air flow if the ridge vent material is covered in fabric? I went up into the attic and a rush of air came out...plenty of undereave venting, but this ridge vent doesn't look like it breathes very well?????

Was the hole in the ridge the corrct size I have seen them not big enough.
Good site is http://www.ronhungarter.com/ lots of great information .
..... Cookie

[ldapkus]

This is another site: http://www.airvent.com

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Was the hole in the ridge the corrct size I have seen them not big enough.
Good site is http://www.ronhungarter.com/ lots of great information .
..... Cookie

Also, was it fastened properly? I've seen them nailed down as tight as the shingles, compressing the air space. This is where you do not use a nail gun.

[rwand1]

Don't like them. As the material in the vent becomes dirty over time it will hinder air flow out.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Don't like them. As the material in the vent becomes dirty over time it will hinder air flow out.

I think they are great and do a good job have seen the pan vents plugged too.
What I feel are very poor is the cyclone vents added with pan vents and soffit vents .
They tend to pull air in through the pan and out the cyclone not getting proper ventilation to the attic.
.... Cooke

[rwand1]

Still don't like them. How is one suppose to clean the material of dust/dirt?
You can't.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Still don't like them. How is one suppose to clean the material of dust/dirt?
You can't.

I have never seen a plce where they have cleaned Pan vents either or Gable vents for that matter.......... Cookie

[rwand1]

I have not seen a fully plugged pan or gable vent, ever!

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

I have not seen a fully plugged pan or gable vent, ever!

I saw four on a home I did last year plugged from new, they never even cut the Sheating........ Cookie

[Peter Doane]

Looks like Cobra Ridge vent. Its a heavy plastic mesh to help keep its shape. I've heard good and bad about it.

[rwand1]

Roy

Not cutting out the roof decking for the vent could hardly be described as plugged, its more of an oversite in the installation.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Roy

Not cutting out the roof decking for the vent could hardly be described as plugged, its more of an oversite in the installation.

How can it be called an over site the hole gets cut before the vent goes on.

You mean like the 5 year old home that had sold 4 times in 5 years .
The last people where the first to get an Inspection .
I found zero ( Like NONE) insulation in the attic .
No one could figgure out why it cost so much to heat the home.
That is an Oversite for sure.

[rwand1]

Roy

**** happens. There is a big difference between installation screw ups and a ridge vent filter material becoming clogged with dust/dirt over time.