"Guess it's one of those things where quality really does matter...or maybe luck, who knows."
Yeah, that's exactly what I've been wondering about lately. I've inspected plenty of roofs with ridge vents, and honestly, the quality seems all over the place—even within the same brand sometimes. I remember one inspection a couple years back where the homeowner had installed a supposedly high-quality ridge vent system (pretty sure it was GAF Cobra, too), and it was already warping and cracking after just two winters. Yet, I've also seen cheaper plastic vents holding up perfectly fine for years. Makes you wonder if it's more about installation or maybe even regional weather differences?
One thing I've noticed is that proper installation seems to make a huge difference. I've seen vents fail prematurely because they weren't secured properly or because the installer didn't follow the manufacturer's guidelines closely enough. Sometimes the nails are driven in too deep, or the vent isn't aligned correctly, and that can cause issues down the line. Have you checked out any installation videos or guides specific to the vent you're considering? Might be worth double-checking those details.
Also, curious if anyone's had experience with metal ridge vents instead of plastic? I've seen a few metal ones on inspections lately, and they seem pretty solid—less prone to warping or cracking. But then again, metal might come with its own set of issues, like corrosion or condensation problems. Always trade-offs, right?
Anyway, I totally get your frustration. Roofing components can be annoyingly unpredictable sometimes...
Funny you mention metal ridge vents—I helped out on a job last summer where we installed some aluminum ones, and they seemed pretty sturdy. Haven't been back to check how they're holding up yet, though. Wonder if anyone's noticed if metal vents handle heavy snow loads better than plastic? Seems like they'd be less likely to warp under weight, but maybe ice buildup could be an issue...
"Seems like they'd be less likely to warp under weight, but maybe ice buildup could be an issue..."
That's a good point about ice buildup. I've had aluminum ridge vents installed for about five years now, and I live in an area with pretty heavy snowfall each winter. Structurally, they've held up exceptionally well—no warping or deformation at all, even after some pretty significant snowstorms. However, ice dams can occasionally form at the edges, especially during freeze-thaw cycles. Not a huge problem in my experience, but something to watch out for if your attic insulation isn't great or your ventilation isn't balanced.
Comparatively, I previously had plastic vents on an older addition of our house, and those definitely showed some warping issues after just a couple of harsh winters. So from a durability standpoint, metal vents seem clearly superior. Just make sure you're careful about sealing and insulating properly to minimize ice issues—then you should be good to go for years.
