Expert: Todd E. Miller - 7/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I will be having my roof replaced.  Turbines are now in place.  Ridge vents are recommended.  I noticed in one answer you did not recommend ridge vents.  Can you elaborate?
S.P.

ANSWER: Generally speaking I always recommend ridge vent and soffit vent combination.

In a situation where there is a hip roof and minimal ridge I might suggest soffit and turbine vents or power vents.

Also, if the roof is very low slope I would suggest against ridge vent.

I hope this helps.

All Best,

Todd Miller
www.asktoddmiller.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for responding.  My home is a 3 bedroom ranch.  It has one long line at the center top of the roof where the ridge vent was recommended and 2 gables  from the center towards the front of the house.   The terms hip roof and minimal ridge are not familiar to me.  I listened to what the roofing companies suggested, but am trying to do my homework and understand their statements.  Only GAF and Owens Corning Architectural shingles were offered.  They stated that no one uses the turbines anymore.   Comments?   I'm in GA.
S.P.

Answer
Turbines are still used though I only suggest them for special cases.

However, based upon your description your house is ideal for ridge vent and soffit vents. The ridge acts as exhaust and the soffit as intake.

Based upon what you have told me I would eliminate the gable vents.

Feel free to email a picture of your home and roof configuration to me if you wish at todd@asktoddmiller.com

A great resource of venting info is www.airvent.com