How to Install a Roof Ridge Vent

On a newly constructed home or on a total roof replacement, you may choose to install a roof ridge vent as opposed to conventional vents. Ridge vents cost a little more and take more time to install, but they offer better air circulation as opposed to gable or turbine vents. Since the roof needs specific preparation, the time to install a ridge vent is during the construction phase.

Things You'll Need

  • Plywood
  • Rolled roofing underlayment
  • Roof ridge vent (sold in linear feet)
  • Roofing nails
  • Shingles
  • Carpenter’s hand and power tools
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sheet the roof with the ridge vent in mind. Install the plywood sheeting as usual, from the lower edge of the roof upward but don’t run it all the way to the ridge. Instead, leave a 3-inch gap on both sides where the ridge vent will sit.

    • 2

      Apply the rolled roofing underlayment as directed in the manufacturer’s specifications, again leaving the 3-inch opening along the ridge.

    • 3

      Install roof shingles to the top of the plywood and trim them to fit the gap at the top. The ridge vent will sit on top of these shingles and extend from one end of the ridge to the other. You may install either three-tab shingles or shakes with most ridge vents.

    • 4

      Place the ridge vent on top of the shingles and use roofing nails to attach it to the plywood beneath in the provided holes. You may need to fit pieces of ridge vent together if you have multiple pieces. Just cut carefully with a band saw and position the ends together.

    • 5

      Apply ridge shingles to the top of the ridge vent. The shingles cover the metal of the vent, providing a nice finishing touch while allowing the perforations on both sides of the vent to release air.

    • 6

      Begin covering the vent by placing the first ridge shingle even with the outside edge of the ridge. This is the end over the gable. Make the bottom of the shingle flush with the gable edge and use roofing nails to secure it at the top.

    • 7

      Place the next ridge shingle over the first, overlapping the nails. Repeat this procedure all the way to the other end of the ridge vent, one shingle at a time.

    • 8

      Trim excess ridge shingles by snipping them carefully with tin snips or by using a small circular saw for a straight cut. If you’re not experienced with the circular saw, use the tin snips.