Roof Ridge Vents / Insight on this?

[sosoe]

Going to have my roof replaced soon due to hail damage, and the roofer was saying that they can make my roof a "ridge vent roof" and get rid of the standard Whirlybird exhaust fans. There are a few houses in the neighborhood that have them(ridge), and some don't and have the standard exhaust boxes / whirlybird fans.
Claims will help out a LOT with the exit of hot air during the summer, but also my concern is how well does it work in the winter.

[juiceweezl]

It's just making a vent the entire length of the ridge instead of whirly birds. That's it. I see both, but many newer homes/neighborhoods go for the ridge vent look as it's cleaner.

[ceyko]

x2 on above, I'd prefer the newer way personally. However, I have not owned a home with them yet so can't speak towards them directly. Just they seem better from everything I've read over the years.

[8mpg]

Id go with the ridge vent...but you need enough soffit vent to keep up with the air flow or its pointless.

[Chuck_Finley]

My personal opinion is ridge vents are a waste of money. You just have to hope the heat decides to rise out of your attic space. You want to really remove heat from attic during the summer? You need an electric exhaust fan.

[lowfast]

My personal opinion is ridge vents are a waste of money. You just have to hope the heat decides to rise out of your attic space. You want to really remove heat from attic during the summer? You need an electric exhaust fan.

This actually made my head hurt. "You have to hope the hot air decides to rise". Didn't pay attention in science class much?

As previously stated. You need to have enough "makeup air" from the soffits. My old house had the ridge vent and it worked great.

[mustang1200]

My personal opinion is ridge vents are a waste of money. You just have to hope the heat decides to rise out of your attic space. You want to really remove heat from attic during the summer? You need an electric exhaust fan.

This actually made my head hurt. "You have to hope the hot air decides to rise". Didn't pay attention in science class much?

As previously stated. You need to have enough "makeup air" from the soffits. My old house had the ridge vent and it worked great.

I actually chuckled. I just pay my hot air good money to rise up out the attic.

Wait who am I kidding. I don't have any vents in my attic at all.

[8mpg]

I actually chuckled. I just pay my hot air good money to rise up out the attic.

Wait who am I kidding. I don't have any vents in my attic at all.

unvented attic...the best way to go

[ceyko]

unvented attic...the best way to go

Yes, contain it - it lifts the house enough to ease stress on the foundation.

[sosoe]

Id go with the ridge vent...but you need enough soffit vent to keep up with the air flow or its pointless.

Its vented on the sides of the house, the front and back im not quiet sure.

[sosoe]

My personal opinion is ridge vents are a waste of money. You just have to hope the heat decides to rise out of your attic space. You want to really remove heat from attic during the summer? You need an electric exhaust fan.

I asked about those, said his personal experience they are POS. He has been in attics where its over 100* and the fan has not kicked on at times.

[sosoe]

I'm also concerned about how they work in the winter, did some quick reading after I made this thread and pretty much said If I don't have great insulation, its pointless because of the hot air leaving through that vent across my rooftop.

[lowfast]

I'm also concerned about how they work in the winter, did some quick reading after I made this thread and pretty much said If I don't have great insulation, its pointless because of the hot air leaving through that vent across my rooftop.

If you don't have good attic insulation it is all pointless. What is your current insulation situation?

[sosoe]

If you don't have good attic insulation it is all pointless. What is your current insulation situation?

Its the original insulation from when the house was built, 2002. I was planning on redoing it but not sure when. Since I don't have a clue of when Ill do it, I might as well stick with the normal whirlybird vents and maybe add an electric exhaust fan and slap some good insulation down the road.

[lowfast]

Its the original insulation from when the house was built, 2002. I was planning on redoing it but not sure when. Since I don't have a clue of when Ill do it, I might as well stick with the normal whirlybird vents and maybe add an electric exhaust fan and slap some good insulation down the road.

Venting is venting, does not matter the method or the time of year. The ridge vent or the "whirlybirds" are all passive convection solutions, so in winter they will both allow heat to escape. The good news is here in Texas it is rarely cold enough to loose massive heat, heat gain is the bigger issue. From a cost perspective, you can DIY some additional blown-in in your attic for very cheap.

I would say go with the ridge venting, and then check into DIY as much blown-in as you can afford to do.

BTW, no matter the method of heat removal, all require adequate make-up air to function, no way around physics. Well, unless you are Sosoe and then in your world the air can decide if it wants to follow the laws of physics or not.