I get the appeal of ridge vents, but I’d still be cautious about saying they outperform box vents across the board.
In my experience, the “properly installed” part is where things usually go sideways—ridge vents can leak too if the install isn’t spot on or if you get wind-driven rain. Also, on low-slope roofs or with certain architectural styles, box vents might actually vent better. I’ve seen a few attics where switching to ridge vents didn’t fix moisture issues because the soffit intake was undersized. Sometimes it’s less about vent type and more about the whole system working together.“seen more leaks from old box vents than properly installed ridge vents, honestly.”
I’ve run into this exact debate on a bunch of jobs, and honestly, it’s never as simple as “ridge is better than box” or vice versa. Had a client last year with a 4/12 pitch roof—pretty low slope—and they wanted to swap all their old box vents for a continuous ridge vent. Looked great on paper, but after the first big storm, they called me back because water was getting in at the ridge. Turns out, the installer didn’t use the right baffle system for our wind zone (I’m in the Midwest, so we get some nasty gusts).
What really made the difference was checking the whole setup: soffit intake was half-blocked by insulation, and there wasn’t enough net free area. Once we cleared that up and added some extra intake, things dried out fast.
Point is, I wouldn’t say one vent type always wins. It’s more about matching the venting to the roof style, pitch, and making sure the intake/exhaust ratio is right. And yeah, install quality is everything—seen both types leak when shortcuts get taken.
I ran into almost the same thing when I tried to “upgrade” my vents a few years back.
Totally agree with that. I got fixated on adding ridge vents because everyone online said they were better, but turns out my attic insulation was blocking half my soffits too. Once I cleared that out, airflow improved way more than changing the vents did. Sometimes it’s the basics that make the difference.“It’s more about matching the venting to the roof style, pitch, and making sure the intake/exhaust ratio is right.”
- Had the same debate with myself—everyone online swears by ridge vents, but my house is old and the roof pitch is weird.
- Ended up finding out the insulation was jammed right up into the soffits, basically choking off any airflow.
- Cleared that, left the old gable vents, and honestly? Temps dropped in the attic way more than I expected.
- Not convinced new vents are always better... sometimes just fixing blockages does more than a fancy upgrade.
Not convinced new vents are always better... sometimes just fixing blockages does more than a fancy upgrade.
Right there with you. I spent way too much time researching all the “latest and greatest” vent options, but in the end, just unblocking my soffits made a bigger difference than anything else. My attic used to feel like a sauna in July—now it’s just mildly uncomfortable, which is honestly a win in my book. Sometimes old-school gable vents and a little elbow grease do the trick. Not every house needs to be tricked out like a spaceship.
