What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.

JA wrote:
What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.

do you have problems with condensation or does snow melt off of the
roof from the heat within? if either of these occur, then a ridge vent
might help. otherwise, if you have soffit and gable vents, i would
think you have adequate ventilation without adding a ridge vent.

i don't know about shingles that can resist algae stains. the only
solution i know of is to put galvanized strips along the ridge. there
are strips made for such a purpose.

this free document is 74 pages for your climate at:
http://www.buildingscience.com/desig...MixedHumid.pdf

JA wrote:
What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.

In article .com,
says...

JA wrote:
What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.

do you have problems with condensation or does snow melt off of the
roof from the heat within? if either of these occur, then a ridge vent
might help. otherwise, if you have soffit and gable vents, i would
think you have adequate ventilation without adding a ridge vent.

If there are gable end vents ridge vents shouldn't be added
(without blocking the gables). That said, ridge vents are superior
in most climates.

i don't know about shingles that can resist algae stains. the only
solution i know of is to put galvanized strips along the ridge. there
are strips made for such a purpose.

....or copper (wire works too).

--
Keith

"marson" wrote in message
oups.com...

JA wrote:
What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did
not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted
on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem
to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more
expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.

do you have problems with condensation or does snow melt off of the
roof from the heat within? if either of these occur, then a ridge vent
might help. otherwise, if you have soffit and gable vents, i would
think you have adequate ventilation without adding a ridge vent.

i don't know about shingles that can resist algae stains. the only
solution i know of is to put galvanized strips along the ridge. there
are strips made for such a purpose.

I tried the zinc strips in Florida a few years ago and was unimpressed. I
wouldn't do it again, but Florida weather is pretty severe. Similarly, the
Florida builder doing my renovations recommends against ridge vents for two
reasons --

a. Water infiltration in severe storms
b. In hurricanes last 2 years, for many homes the ridge vents were ripped
off as the first point of wind damage.

Of course, neither of these may apply to Maryland -- Regards --

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 20:42:06 -0400, "JA"
wrote:

What are the pros and cons for using ridge vents? I'm having my house
re-shingled, and got estimates from two highly recommended roofers. One
recommended installing a ridge vent; the other did not. The one who did not
recommend a ridge vent re-roofed our other house last year and insisted on
installing a ridge vent.

The house we're re-roofing is a two story "colonial" with an unfinished
attic that has both soffit vents and gable vents. The house we re-roofed
last year is a bungalow with the second floor (what would normally be the
attic) finished.

I will discuss this with each of the roofers before I decide which one to
hire, but I would appreciate any insight anyone can give me.

Also, are there any shingles that really resist algae stains, which seem to
be a big problem in my area (Maryland)? Both roofers want to use
Certainteed XT25AR, and neither seemed enthusiastic about the more expensive
"architectual" shingles, although both were willing to install them if
that's what I want.


Pros: Additional ventilation, longer lasting roof, quiet, energy
efficient, inexpensive and easy to install.
Cons: Cost, most easily added when roof is re shingled.

I have never heard of "too much ventilation." If you notice algae
growth on neighbor's roofs and plan on living there more than 5 years,
get the anti-algae shingles. If you can add more soffit vents, do
that too.

I have seen some poorly-done roofing jobs. Be careful who you decide
to hire.