Expert: Mark Sundberg - 6/28/2009

Question
I own a home in Milwaukee, WI, with a hip roof.  Would you recommend slant back roof vents over a ridge vent?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Mike,

I'd tend to go with the slant back vents. My reasoning is ridge venting is sometimes susceptible to leakage caused by ice damming in areas where deep snow is common. At least more so than a louver vent in a vertical surface. Of course, it depends on the vent and how far above the roof surface its lower lip is.

Of course, they don't look quite as nice as ridge venting. Well, you win some, you lose some. The ridge venting is also more susceptible on low slope roofs than high slope roofs.