How To Install Ridge Vent Roofing

Installing ridge vent roofing is a relatively easy and straight forward way to increase the life of your shingles and save some money on cooling costs at the same time. With a few simple tools and a helper, ridge vent roofing can be installed in an afternoon. The only challenging part about it is climbing up and working on your roof.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ladder
• Chalk line
• Circular saw
• Hammer
• Ridge vent
• Ridge shingles
• Roofing cement

1. Remove the existing ridge shingles that cover the peak of the roof. Using a chalk line, snap a line on either side of the peak, about 1 inch from the top of the peak.

2. Starting 8 inches from either end of the peak, use a circular saw and cut along the chalk lines, removing the slivers of wood from the peak.

3. Install the ridge shingles on either end of the peak. Start with the first ridge shingle flush with the edge of the rest of the shingles and work back to the vent hole created in Step 2.

4. Install the ridge vent, leaving 6 inches between the ends of the ridge vent and the end of the roof. Use the nails supplied with the ridge vent to hammer it to the roof deck. Using the ridge vent as a guide, snap a chalk line on the front side of the peak to keep the ridge vent in a straight line.

5. Once the ridge vent is installed, nail down the ridge vent roofing shingles, overlapping the ends of the ridge vent by 1 inch. The last ridge shingle will have exposed nail heads, so be sure to cover them with roofing cement to prevent water penetration.

Tips & Warnings

• Roofing can be dangerous. Always work with a partner. Wear safety glasses when using a circular saw.