How to Frame a Ridge for a Ridge Vent
Many homeowners are converting from the more traditional roof venting systems to ridge vents. Ridge venting allows rising warm air to flow up and out of your attic through the roof peak, promoting a cooler and drier attic. Installation will require removal of a portion of the roof deck, leaving the open peak exposed to the elements. Check the weather and plan ahead for this project to ensure that there will be ample time for completion once your project is underway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Safety goggles
- Push broom
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Nail bar
- Roofing nails
- Roofing knife
- Chalk line
- Skill saw
- Three tab shingles
Instructions
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1
Remove the existing shingles from the ridge of the roof with the hammer and nail bar.
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2
Read the manufacturer's instructions which are included with the new ridge vent to get the correct dimensions for the roof opening. On one end, measure the distance from the peak of the roof to the bottom of what will be the new cut opening. Mark the measurement by hammering a roofing nail in. Repeat on the opposite end of the ridge. Go to the other side of the roof and repeat.
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3
Wrap one end of the chalk line around the nail. Walk to the opposite end and pop the chalk line. This measurement will be the guideline for the deck removal. Repeat on the opposite side of the ridge.
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4
Measure the depth of the roof decking. Start from the top of the existing shingles to the bottom of the decking board. Set the skill saw to the appropriate cutting depth, to avoid cutting into the rafters.
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5
Remove the decking by cutting along the popped line with the skill saw. Repeat on the opposite side of the roof. If the ridge has a chimney, leave 8 to 10 inches of shingles on both sides of the brick uncut.
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6
Sweep all debris left from the cutting off the roof with the push broom.
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7
Measure the height of the new ridge vent. On one end of the ridge, measure starting from the peak of the ridge board and go down. Mark the height of the ridge vent on the roof. Hammer a roofing nail in to mark the bottom of the ridge vent. Repeat on the opposite end of the ridge. Go to the other side of the roof and repeat.
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8
Wrap one end of the chalk line around the nail on one end of the ridge. Walk to the opposite end and pop the chalk line. This measurement will be the guideline for laying the ridge vent. Repeat on the opposite side of the roof.
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9
Install a new three tab shingle on each of the 1-foot ends of the ridge where the decking was not removed.
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10
Measure 6 inches in from the end of the ridge and lay one piece of ridge vent to overlap the shingled foot of ridge. Center this piece. Nail the ridge vent down at the predetermined nail holes. Repeat at the opposite end of the roof.
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Install new ridge vent along the open peak. Align each piece of ridge vent on the marked chalk line and interlock pieces together until you reach the end. Secure the ridge vent to the roof by hammering roofing nails into the predetermined holes. Trim the last piece of ridge vent to fit flush with the end piece.
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12
Cut three tab shingles into three pieces at the marked tab lines to make one-tab ridge cap shingles. Secure the one-tab shingles over the ridge vent to complete the ridge cap.
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Tips & Warnings
Lay ridge vent up to a chimney wall. Trim the end that butts up against the chimney wall. Repeat on the opposite side.
This project is not for beginners, or for anyone not experienced with rooftop work.
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris when operating power equipment.
References
- Photo Credit roof image by Christopher Meder from Fotolia.com
