Update Roof Ventilation ?
I’m probably in the minority here, but I actually stuck with the old-school box vents when I redid my attic last year. Everyone kept telling me ridge vents are the holy grail, but honestly, my place isn’t that big and I just couldn’t see the point of ripping up half the roof for what might be a tiny difference. My neighbor went all-in on ridge vents and swears his attic is cooler, but he also has like three times the square footage and way more insulation than me.
I get the appeal of “set it and forget it” with continuous ridge vents, but if you’ve already got decent airflow from soffit plus a couple box vents, is it really worth the hassle? Especially if your winters are rough—ice dams can be a pain no matter what. I’d say unless you’re seeing actual problems (like moisture or crazy heat up there), maybe don’t fix what isn’t broken? I’m still waiting for my box vents to let me down, but so far, they’re holding their own... knock on wood.
Anyone else feel like sometimes upgrades are more about peace of mind than real-world results?
I’d say unless you’re seeing actual problems (like moisture or crazy heat up there), maybe don’t fix what isn’t broken? I’m still waiting for my box vents to let me down, but so far, they’re holding their own... knock on wood.
You’re not alone sticking with box vents. I’ve seen plenty of roofs after storms—some with ridge vents, some with box vents, and honestly, both can get the job done if installed right and matched to the house. Ridge vents are trendy, sure, but they’re not some magic bullet. I’ve patched up enough “premium” ridge vent installs that got torn up in a windstorm to know they’re not invincible.
Your point about square footage is spot on. Bigger attics need more airflow, but for a smaller place? Box vents plus good soffit intake usually keep things balanced. If you’re not getting condensation or wild temperature swings up there, you’re probably fine. Sometimes folks chase upgrades because it sounds like the “latest and greatest,” but it’s not always necessary.
Funny thing—after a hailstorm last year, my neighbor’s fancy ridge vent actually let in more water than my old-school boxes. He was not thrilled. Meanwhile, my attic stayed bone dry. Go figure.
I do think peace of mind plays a big role in these decisions. Some people just sleep better knowing they’ve got the “best” system, even if the real-world difference is tiny. But if your current setup is working and you’re not seeing any warning signs (stains on the sheathing, moldy insulation, etc.), there’s no shame in sticking with what works.
If you ever do start seeing issues—ice dams getting worse, or weird moisture patches—then maybe it’s time to revisit. Until then, sounds like your box vents are doing their job just fine.
Had the same debate a couple years back—almost let a roofer talk me into ridge vents, but stuck with boxes. Midwest storms haven’t fazed them yet. I figure if the attic’s dry and temps are steady, why mess with it? Sometimes “new and improved” just means “more stuff to fix.”
- Gotta admit, ridge vents aren’t just a marketing thing—seen ‘em work wonders in some attics, especially on bigger roofs with long peaks.
- Box vents do the job, but I’ve run into a few where insulation or weird framing blocked airflow and cooked the shingles.
- Midwest storms are wild, but ridge vents (installed right) can actually be less likely to leak than a bunch of holes scattered across the roof.
- “More stuff to fix” is fair...but sometimes it’s less stuff to worry about, too. Had a client swap to ridge vents and their summer attic temps dropped 15 degrees. Their AC bill said thanks.
- If what you’ve got works, no shame in sticking with it. Just don’t write off ridge vents as all hype—they’ve saved a few attics from becoming saunas.
Ridge vents have definitely earned their keep in my book, especially on those big, open attics where heat just loves to hang out. I used to be a box vent fan myself—easy to swap out, and you can target trouble spots—but man, if the insulation’s not right or there’s weird framing, you’re basically just poking holes for nothing. Midwest storms are no joke either... seen more leaks from old box vents than properly installed ridge vents, honestly. Not saying they’re magic, but when done right, they really do help keep the attic from turning into a sweat lodge. Still, if your current setup isn’t giving you grief, I wouldn’t rush to change it just for the sake of it. Sometimes “if it ain’t broke” really does apply.
