Ridge Vent
A ventilation product installed along the peak of a roof that allows hot air to escape from the attic. Works with soffit vents to create passive airflow.
A ventilation product installed along the peak of a roof that allows hot air to escape from the attic. Works with soffit vents to create passive airflow.
Why Ridge Vents Matter for Insurance Claims
Ridge vents are a standard component of modern roof systems. When a roof is replaced due to storm damage, the ridge vent should be replaced as well and included as its own line item. Damaged ridge vents that are left in place can allow rain into the attic. If the original roof did not have a ridge vent but current code requires balanced ventilation, adding a ridge vent during replacement may be covered as a code upgrade under ordinance or law coverage.
Ridge Vents in Xactimate Estimates
Ridge vent is a separate line item in Xactimate under the RFG trade category, measured in linear feet. The estimate should also include the ridge deck cut (if applicable), the ridge vent material itself, and the ridge cap shingles installed over it. Each of these may be separate line items. Verify that the total linear feet of ridge vent matches the ridge line length from the roof sketch.
Ventilation Balance
Ridge vents work on the principle of convection: hot air rises and exits through the ridge while cooler air enters through soffit vents below. For this system to work, the attic must have adequate soffit intake ventilation. If soffit vents are blocked by insulation or are undersized, the ridge vent alone will not properly ventilate the attic. When estimating a roof replacement, assess the overall ventilation balance and note any deficiencies.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the ridge vent was damaged by a covered peril. Ridge vents are part of the roofing system and are included in full roof replacement estimates. They have a separate line item in Xactimate measured in linear feet.
Not all roofs use ridge vents. Some use turbine vents, box vents, or powered attic fans instead. The type of exhaust ventilation should match what was in place before the loss. Mixing vent types (such as ridge vent plus box vents) can create airflow short-circuits.
Installing a ridge vent requires cutting a slot in the roof decking along the ridge to allow air to escape. This slot is typically 1 to 2 inches on each side of the ridge. The ridge vent covers the opening, and ridge cap shingles are installed over it.
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