Ridge vents VS normal vents
 

We are getting quotes for a new roof. One said they would replace two older style roof vents (not up to code anymore) with one larger one. (We aren't sure if he means one new vent for every two old ones....) Two other companies say they would take out all of the old vents and put in a ridge vent.

We have 7 of the old style vents.

Is one type of vent better than another?

Without seeing specifically the old vents, it is difficult to comment on them. If you currently have 7 of them I'm guessing they are the older smaller vents.

If they remove the older vents, make sure they properly install roof sheathing over the holes.....!!

Personally I like the ridge vents, as they are at the topmost portion of the home and give more square inches of ventilation. This of course assumes that you have enough ridge to have the proper amount of venting. If you have a gable roof this should not be a problem. Some hip roofs would not have enough ridge to have ridge vents and then need below ridge, "saucer type" vents.

Hope that helps!

Frank

Which ever way you go, make sure your soffits are fully vented, and not blocked by insulation.

Thanks Frank.....yes, our house is in the older section, not a hip roof. We have the lower slope style of roof as well. So far we are trying to decide between Scott Smith and Eustis, who both have good reviews here on TOTV.

I rarely give recommendations because if who I recommend does not do a good job, it sullies my reputation. I do not know anything about Scott Smith....they may very well be excellent.

That being said, I have hired Eustis roofing to do two roofs for me. They do excellent work and have good crews. They are a family run business who have been in business for like 50 years.

If you have any valleys, tell them you prefer NOT to have the typical "California valley" so often seen in The Villages. If you hire Eustis, tell Rodney that
Frank told you this...he'll laugh. (I dislike California valleys).

Also, if asked, they will do a "Wind Mit" inspection for you that should save you money on your insurance. I paid a bit more for "Peel and Stick" underlay instead of felt. This gives you a secondary water resistance membrane that will save you even more on your insurance, and if half your shingles blow off, your home should stay dry.

Good luck!!

Frank

usually when there are multiple units/vents it is because there is not a long enough roof peak line to get sufficient venting from a ridge vent.

I would most certainly get multiple quotes and do your home work.

The old units may not meet today's code requirements VS those when the home was built. That does not mean the units are not to code....they did/do in fact meet the builders code of the day.

Do your home work!

code
 

OK, dumb question Billy.....if something was up to the current code when installed, but now is so old that the codes have changed, wouldn't that mean it is now no longer "up to code"?

Are you implying that the old vents should NOT be replaced?

Thank you!

I do not imply, I say what I mean. So no, I am in no way recommending to not replace the vents, just offering, from experience, points to consider as you evaluate what to do.

There are far too many contractors in the area that will SELL you what they do....VS what you need.

Old(er) homes are safe to live in and would not pass a current code....sorta like grandfathered. In the strictest sense of go-no-go measuring....they would not meet the "current" code(s).

Points well taken, thank you for your input. :)

The only other aspect of the problem I can think of is whether or not there would be an air flow conflict if you had both through the roof vents and ridge vents. Perhaps Frank could weigh in on this. My concern would be the forced vents drawing makeup are from the closest point of least resistance, which would be the ridge vents.

I noticed while shopping at Lowes today that they are still selling roof vents that look remarkably similar to the ones already on my roof, that we were told were not to code. They are very inexpensive, I think it was around $20.

Having the old ones taken off and the ridge vent installed would certainly give a cleaner look, as we also have 7 solar tubes.

Soffits
 

As someone posted earlier but no one else is commenting... Do you have any soffits? A lot of older homes especially up north do not hv these. Allow air in so hotter attic air goes out the ridge or gable vents. Hot air rises.

Home improvement stores sell lots of things that would not pass inspection and therefore would not be used by professionals. But, getting a new roof does not (normally) require an inspection so replacing a worn vent jack with an identical one shouldn't pose a problem. Sounds like they're trying to upswell you. Agree with pp too, if you don't have vented soffits it won't do much good to get a ridge vent.

Re-roofing requires a permit and an inspection.