Venting your roof and attic is highly recommended and very beneficial to the health and integrity of your home. Ventilation can also reduce indoor air impurities and keep a nice, mild airflow in your attic areas to help save your home from developing issues. There are different roof ventilation options, with ridge vents and box vents both being popular ones. So between ridge vents or box vents, which vent is better? Let’s take a look.
Ridge Vents or Box Vents: Which Vent is Better?
We have written extensively about ventilating your home well. With modern advances in the ventilation on your roof line, you can have an efficient amount of ventilation to help avoid problems like ice build-up, moisture accumulation and rust, mold, and excessive heat accumulation. All of these issues can lead to more roof problems.
There is no reason not to ventilate your roof system. If you need a new roof, learn about the ventilation options available, and speak with your Austin roofing expert to make sure proper – and enough – vents are used.
Are Box Vents Better than Ridge Vents?
As we mentioned earlier, ventilation in your roofing system is a must. But what you use could be specific to your type of roof structure and design, and your location. When choosing the proper roofing vents, you will likely choose between two different types: a box vent, and a ridge vent. You have likely seen metal box vents on homes, but a ridge vent might be a new type of vent you haven’t seen before. One reason for this is because ridge vents are very well hidden on most homes.
Both the box vent and the ridge vent have a low profile. Box vents, look like a short box, they are often made of metal.
Ridge vents look like a raised portion of the very top ridge or peak of your roof. They sit right on the top peak so it almost blends right into the look of your roof. As far as box vents go, they are a good option as well, but your roof will need many of them to allow hot air to escape from your roof and attic areas.
Box Vent Features
- Low profile
- Metal
- Noticeable
- Need many vents
Ridge Vent Features
- Even lower profile (blends in well)
- Metal or mesh covered with matching shingles
- Barely visible
- Vents on ridge or peak of roof
Do Ridge Vents Make a Difference?
Absolutely. Both ridge vents and box vents make a big difference in a roofing system. Allowing proper air ventilation in your roofing area will help you avoid many problems during all of the season changes throughout the year.
Ridge vents are incredibly efficient and the location at the very top of your roof makes all the difference. This is the top spot where heat will get trapped under your roof. Why not let it escape with ease? Ridge vents are also some of the most effective roofing vents because of their size. They will run the length of your roof’s peak, making them cover a great distance without much effort or exposure.
Box Vents and Ridge Vents Working Together
Now, when you put the two together, the box vent and the ridge vent really shine as a ventilation system. They can cover the most area to effectively aid in the removal of hot and moist air from your home.
The design of the ridge vent in combination with the box vent allows an actual breeze to flow air throughout your roof and unfinished attic area. It might sound odd to bring air into your home, but in this situation, it’s the perfect solution to keeping this part of your home dry and not overly hot.
The air circulation will flow through your soffit ventilation and box vents, and leave through your ridge vents. This setup has been tested and proven to work great when installed well. Cool air from the outside will help push out the warm air trapped in your home’s roof area. It’s a well-designed system to cover a lot of surface area.
As we always say, each home will have its own specifics to consider and it’s best to discuss your ventilation options with your roofing professional. They will guide your choices best when it comes to how many vents you will need and their placement. Will it be the box vent set up or the ridge vent? We are guessing some of both.
Your Local Austin Area Roofing Professionals
We strive to bring you the best in roofing for the Austin, Texas area. We deliver decades of roofing experience, training, and knowledge in this area’s needs. We are a prominent roofing company in residential roof repair and roof replacement. We will not ask for a deposit on labor or materials as a dependable way to stand out from the competition while bringing you the best product and service in Austin.
When we inspect, install, or repair your roof, we want to provide you with the best options for your roof design, components, and ventilation. We are Master Elite Contractors bringing you the latest in roofing technology, and a member of our local area Better Business Bureau, so you know we take pride in our work and our community.
Contact us by phone or email to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and quote today.
