Good point about the turbines...seen a few myself rolling down the street after storms. Ridge vents are definitely sturdier, plus they blend in nicely. Just make sure your attic insulation and airflow are dialed in, or even the best vent won't help much.
"Just make sure your attic insulation and airflow are dialed in, or even the best vent won't help much."
Couldn't agree more with this. When we first moved into our place, we thought the ridge vents alone would solve our attic heat issues. Nope...turns out the insulation was practically nonexistent up there. After adding some decent insulation (nothing fancy, just standard fiberglass batts), the difference was night and day. Our upstairs bedrooms went from sauna-level hot to actually comfortable in the summer.
Also, about budgeting for CertainTeed shingles—shop around a bit. We got quotes from three different roofers, and you'd be surprised how much prices varied for the exact same materials. Ended up saving a good chunk just by comparing. Good luck with your project, sounds like you're already on the right track!
Same experience here. When we redid our roof last year, I figured the new ridge vents and shingles would be enough to fix the attic heat. Turns out, insulation was a big part of the puzzle. We ended up blowing in cellulose insulation—nothing fancy, but it made a noticeable difference. Also, totally second the idea of shopping around for CertainTeed shingles. Our first quote was crazy high...the third was hundreds less for the exact same Landmark shingles. Pays to check around, for sure.
"Turns out, insulation was a big part of the puzzle."
Yep, exactly this. Good shingles and vents help, but if you're serious about cutting attic heat, insulation's key. I'd also suggest looking into radiant barriers—especially if you're in a hotter climate. They're pretty straightforward to install under the roof decking during a reroof and can noticeably cut down on attic temps. Plus, they're not crazy expensive. Just another thing worth considering while you're at it...
Totally agree insulation's huge, but radiant barriers can be hit or miss depending on your setup. I've seen some attics where they made a noticeable difference, and others... eh, not so much. If you're already tight on budget, I'd prioritize solid insulation and good ventilation first.
Speaking of vents, make sure they're balanced—seen plenty of roofs with fancy ridge vents but not enough soffit intake, so the airflow ends up being pretty meh. Also, don't underestimate the power of lighter-colored shingles if you're in a hot area. I know darker roofs look slick, but lighter shades reflect heat way better. Had a buddy who switched from charcoal to a lighter gray and swears his attic dropped like 10 degrees. Could be exaggerating (he usually does), but still worth thinking about.
Anyway, roofing budgets always balloon faster than you think, so maybe set aside a little extra for surprises. Trust me, something always pops up once you start tearing stuff off...
