"ridge vents aren't always the magic fix people think they are."
Totally agree with this. Had a similar experience myself—thought ridge vents would solve everything, but nope. Ended up adding some soffit vents and sealing air leaks instead, and that combo worked way better (and cheaper). Definitely worth exploring simpler fixes first before dropping serious cash on something that might not even suit your roof... learned that lesson too, lol.
Yeah, ridge vents aren't always a silver bullet, but I wouldn't dismiss them entirely either. I've seen plenty of roofs where adding ridge vents made a noticeable difference—especially when combined with proper soffit ventilation. Sometimes it's just about getting the balance right between intake and exhaust. Every roof's different though, so what worked great for one person might not be ideal for another... trial and error is pretty much the name of the game with ventilation issues, unfortunately.
True, balance is key, but honestly, ridge vents alone rarely solve the bigger picture. I've found that green roofs or reflective surfaces can sometimes tackle heat and airflow issues better overall... ventilation's just one piece of the puzzle, you know?
You're spot on about ventilation being just one piece of the puzzle. When I tackled my attic heat issue last summer, I initially thought ridge vents would be the magic bullet. But after installing them, the improvement was minimal at best. Eventually, I added reflective barriers under the roof decking, and that made a noticeable difference. It's always a bit of trial and error, isn't it? Good to hear I'm not alone in thinking beyond just vents...
"Eventually, I added reflective barriers under the roof decking, and that made a noticeable difference."
Interesting you mention reflective barriers—I’ve seen mixed results with those. Did you install them directly under the decking or leave an air gap? I've found that even small installation details can swing the effectiveness quite a bit. Ridge vents alone rarely solve heat issues completely, especially if insulation or air sealing is lacking. It's always a puzzle, and sometimes the pieces don't fit exactly how we expect...
