Ridge Vent Installation in Hudson, WI
Ridge vent installation in Hudson opens a continuous vent along the peak of your roof so warm, moist attic air can escape at the highest point while fresh air comes in at the soffits. Hudson Roofing Pros installs ridge vents on Hudson-area homes, with a new roof or on the roof you already have.
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What a Ridge Vent Does on a Hudson Roof
A ridge vent on a Hudson roof lets attic air out along the full length of the peak, the highest and warmest part of the attic, so the air that comes in through the soffit vents has somewhere to go.
That steady flow from low to high keeps the attic close to the outdoor temperature. In a Hudson winter it carries out the moisture that would otherwise frost onto the underside of the cold roof deck, and in summer it lets out heat that builds up under the shingles. Wisconsin's dwelling code wants at least half of an attic's vent opening high on the roof, and a ridge vent is the most direct way to put it there.
A ridge vent is one part of roof ventilation and underlayment. It only works with intake air coming in low at the eaves, and it does not stop house heat leaking into the attic, which is the job of the ceiling below.
Where the venting goes
At least half of it up high
The rest goes low on the roof, so outside air can sweep through the attic from eaves to peak.
Signs Your Hudson Home Needs a Ridge Vent
A Hudson home needs a ridge vent when its attic has too little high venting to let moist, warm air out, which shows up as frost on the roof deck in winter or a stifling attic in summer.
Frost on the Roof Deck
Frost or drips on the sheathing and nail tips in winter mean moist air is trapped in the attic.
Few or No High Vents
An attic with only a couple of small vents near the top, or none, cannot let air out as fast as it comes in.
A Hot Attic in Summer
Heat that stays trapped under the roof all afternoon is heat the vents should be letting out.
A New Roof Coming
Replacing the shingles is the easiest time to cut in a ridge vent, because the peak is already open.
Not sure whether your Hudson attic has enough venting?
We can measure what is there and tell you what the attic needs.
How We Install a Ridge Vent in Hudson
We install a ridge vent in Hudson by first making sure air can get into the attic low at the soffits, then opening the roof deck along the peak and covering the opening with a vent and cap shingles.
- 1
Check the Intake
We look at the soffit vents and make sure insulation is not blocking them, because a ridge vent with no air coming in low does little.
- 2
Work Out the Vent Area
We measure the attic floor and size the venting to Wisconsin's rule, so the total opening is enough for the ceiling area.
- 3
Open the Peak
We cut a slot in the roof deck along the ridge so attic air can rise out through it.
- 4
Fit the Vent and Cap
The ridge vent goes over the slot and is covered with cap shingles that match the roof.
- 5
Check the Attic Again
We look over the attic and tell you if air leaks or thin insulation still need attention.
Ridge Vent Alone or Ridge Vent With Air Sealing?
A ridge vent alone moves moisture out of a Hudson attic, but adding air sealing and insulation stops the warm house air getting in at all, and only that pairing deals with both frost and ice dams.
Ventilation and air sealing work together. Venting carries out what gets into the attic, while attic insulation and air sealing cuts how much gets in. Powered attic fans are not a recommended fix for ice dams in the Twin Cities climate Hudson shares, so we put the effort into sealing the ceiling instead.
Ridge Vent Alone
- Lets moist attic air out at the peak
- Cuts summer heat build-up
- Leaves ceiling air leaks open
- Ice dams can still form over leaky spots
Ridge Vent With Air Sealing
- Lets attic air out at the peak
- Stops warm house air entering the attic
- Keeps the roof deck cold in winter
- Deals with frost and ice dams together
Getting frost or ice dams despite your attic vents?
We can check the venting and the ceiling below it on one visit.
What Does Ridge Vent Installation Cost in Hudson?
Ridge vent installation costs about $450 on a standard two-story gable house across the US, and roof vent work generally runs $240 to $600; these are national figures, not a quote, because no Hudson or Twin Cities figure is published.
The length of the ridge, the condition of the decking and whether the roof is being replaced at the same time decide the price on a Hudson home.
Roof vent installation, national range
National range, not a quote.
How Much Venting Does a Hudson Attic Need?
A Hudson attic needs at least 1 square foot of open vent area for every 300 square feet of ceiling when half to three-quarters of the venting is high, or 1 for every 150 when three-quarters or more is high, under Wisconsin's dwelling code.
The open vent area is the free space air can pass through, not the size of the vent. For a 1,500 square foot ceiling, that works out to 5 square feet of open area with balanced venting, or 10 square feet if nearly all of it is high on the roof.
| Where the vents are | Minimum open vent area | 1,500 sq ft ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Half to three-quarters high, the rest low | 1 sq ft per 300 sq ft of ceiling | 5 sq ft |
| Three-quarters or more high | 1 sq ft per 150 sq ft of ceiling | 10 sq ft |
The code also says insulation must not block the free flow of air, so the soffit vents that feed a ridge vent have to stay clear. When the roof is replaced, we also lay ice and water shield at the eaves under the new shingles.
Who Can Install a Ridge Vent in Hudson?
A contractor holding Wisconsin's Dwelling Contractor certification, with a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, can install a Ridge Vent in Hudson, because that is the credential the state requires of anyone who pulls a building permit for work on a one- or two-family home, and Wisconsin has no roofing-specific license. Hudson Roofing Pros does this work, and when you book with us or anyone else, ask for proof of the credential and of insurance.
A contractor who pulls a building permit for work on a one- or two-family home in Wisconsin must hold that certification and must hold or employ a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. In the City of Hudson, roofing work with no structural changes does not need a permit; elsewhere we confirm the permit rules with your local building inspector before work starts. Ask us for proof of our credential and insurance when you book, and check any contractor on the state's credential lookup.
Ridge Vent Installation FAQs
Does a Ridge Vent Need Soffit Vents?
Yes, a ridge vent needs intake vents low on the roof, because Wisconsin's rule puts part of the venting in the lower half of the roof and air has to come in somewhere to go out at the peak.
Can a Ridge Vent Be Added Without Replacing the Roof?
Yes, a ridge vent can be cut into an existing roof by opening the peak and replacing the cap shingles, though it is simplest during a new roof.
Will a Ridge Vent Stop Ice Dams?
Not on its own; ice dams come from house heat leaking into the attic, so sealing the ceiling and adding insulation are what stop them. A ridge vent helps carry out the moisture that comes with that warm air.
Should I Add a Powered Attic Fan With My Ridge Vent?
We do not recommend one as an ice dam fix; powered attic fans are not a recommended fix for ice dams in the Twin Cities climate Hudson shares, and sealing the ceiling does more.
Get a ridge vent installation estimate
Send the form or call us and tell us about your attic and roof, and whether a new roof is coming up. We will check the venting and price the ridge vent.
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