Oklahoma Ridge Vents & Roof Ventilation 

Soffit, gable & ridge vent installation for effective attic ventilation

Most people are worried about their roof keeping their home dry, so it's understandable that roof ventilation is often overlooked. But the truth is, a well-ventilated roof makes life easier and better for those living beneath it. Roof and attic ventilation can improve interior comfort, lower heating and cooling costs, and ensure longer life for your roof shingles.

A properly ventilated roof allows hot air in the attic to escape, reducing the demand on your air conditioning system in the summertime. In the winter, ventilation works alongside good attic insulation to keep the roof surface cold, ensuring that snow will not melt on the roof surface and then freeze to form ice dams along the eaves, which causes roof damage.

We install and repair ridge vents and other types of roof vents. Mallard Construction & Roofing is Greater Oklahoma City's expert for roofing solutions that include roof repair, roof replacement and more. Contact us to schedule a free quote for ridge vent installation in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman and throughout Oklahoma.

Roof vent types

There are several different styles of roof vents and different strategies for achieving effective roof ventilation. Here's a brief overview:

• 
• 
• 
• 

Types of Roof Vents

Sometimes hidden from view, the openings for a ridge vent are the continuous space on either side of the ridge cap

Ridge vents

Ridge vents are probably the most important vents in any "passive" (non-electric) roof ventilation system. They are installed along the roof peak, and hot air that accumulates inside the attic rises by convection and escapes through the ridge vents.

As the hot air escapes, fresh air from outside is drawn into the attic through soffit vents (next slide).

These vents are often hidden from view. On an asphalt shingle roof, ridge vents are usually covered by a layer of shingles. 

Many soffit vents run continuously under the eaves of the roof. Rectangular or circular vents may be installed in soffits where a continuous strip-type vent was omitted.

Soffit vents

Installed parallel to the eaves along the soffit, soffit vents work with ridge and gable vents to promote good roof ventilation.

Along the eaves of the roof, these vents are usually in the form of grilles that run the length of each soffit.

Soffit vents play a major role in effective roof ventilation by admitting outside air into the attic as warmer air leaves the attic through higher vents.

If your attic has insufficient airflow, your roofer may recommend a gable-end vent such as the one shown.

Gable-end vents

Gable-end vents are installed near the peak of a gable end. This screened vent can allow hot air to leave the attic or fresh air to enter, depending on prevailing breezes and temperature conditions.

Powered attic ventilators (PAVs)

While sometimes referred to as attic fans, PAVs come in several different forms. While some are designed to be mounted on the roof, others mount in the attic floor or the gable end. All PAVs contain an electrically powered fan (usually controlled by a thermostat) that exhausts hot air from the attic on hot summer days.

A PAV should not be necessary if a roof has properly sized and installed ridge and soffit vents, because while a PAV will definitely exhaust hot air from the attic during hot weather, it consumes electricity, and can actually suck cooled air from the living space through leaks in the attic floor. 

For this reason, many home energy experts recommend passive roof ventilation over active ventilation with a PAV.

• GAF Roof Vents

Founded in 1886, GAF has become North America’s largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing, growing the company to help property owners & architects to make their best and safest roofing choices while helping supportive distributors and roofing contractors to build their businesses.

GAF MasterFlow Power Attic Ventilators

Attic ventilation is an important aspect of your roofing system, especially for homeowners with uncomfortable rooms or high energy bills. The MasterFlow roof vent offers great benefits for these homes, including:

• Power attic ventilation removes greatest volume of hot, humid air
• Energy efficient system will save you money
• Heavy duty screen prevents pests from entering attic
• Adjustable thermostat allows for customization to your home's needs
• Available in a wide variety of colors to blend in with your home

Install roof vents to ensure a long-lasting roof 

Is your roof poorly ventilated? Ask a roofing contractor about improving roof ventilation with ridge, soffit or gable-end vents. Install any roof vent on an existing roof or when your roofing is being replaced.

Our experts at Mallard Construction & Roofing can help you choose the right type of roof vents for your home and repair or install roof vents to improve your attic ventilation.

We proudly provide our professional roofing services, including roof repair, throughout Greater Oklahoma City, including Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman and nearby areas. Call us at 1-855-201-9749 to get a free quote on any of your roofing needs.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.