Increasingly, homes are built with cut-up rooflines. While attractive, they can be an attic ventilation challenge. With very little horizontal ridges, traditional ridge vents may not be an option. Air Vent, the leading manufacturer of residential attic and foundation ventilation products, designed the Hip Ridge Vent to be installed on the diagonals (the “hips”) of these cut-up roofs – giving contractors another option besides power fans and roof louvers.

More Choices = More Solutions

Robert Storey, owner of American Renovations, Fairplay, S.C., said he now chooses ridge vent over power fans for hip roofs. “I prefer this product over power fans,” he said. “The Hip Ridge Vent installed very similar to a standard ridge vent that would be positioned along the peak of the roof – with some differences to the slot cut. Our crew had no trouble understanding and carrying out the installation.”

La Loma Roofing in Omaha, Neb., faced a complex project with few choices. “The configuration of the roof (attic) did not allow many options to properly ventilate this attic,” said sales manager Pete Curtis. “By using the Hip Ridge Vent we used the hips as a key component of the attic ventilation system and we were able to install a very attractive system at the same time. It looks great.” The homeowner has reported improved room temperatures on hot, sunny days. La Loma Roofing used a combination of Hip Ridge Vent and ShingleVent II (horizontally installed ridge vent) to meet the exhaust ventilation needs for this project.

Works Well & Looks Great

Many contractors like the vent’s distinctive look. “The Hip Ridge Vent not only helped to solve an attic ventilation challenge by providing improved airflow compared to the individual roof louvers previously installed, but it’s also a good looking vent,” said Steve Rennekamp, president of Energy Swing Windows in Murrysville, Pa. “It adds to the overall appearance of the roof. It works well and looks great.”

Premier Roofing, Siding & Home Improvement in Gladstone, Mo., informally called the finished roof with the Hip Ridge Vent installed the neighborhood “castle.” “The Hip Ridge Vent was an easy installation while giving an enhanced look to an attractive roof,” said President Jerry Courson. “The product helped solve an attic ventilation challenge and at the same time contributed to a distinctive curbside appeal.”

Weather Protection Tested & Approved

The Hip Ridge Vent is the only diagonally installed ridge vent on the market with Miami-Dade County Approval – tested exactly as it will be installed on a hip roof. It withstood wind-driven rain tests up to 110 MPH from three different wind directions. That should give peace of mind to contractors unfamiliar with installing ridge vent on hips. La Loma Roofing knows firsthand. “Shortly after the roof was finished high winds accompanied by torrential rainfall hit the area several times over a 3 to 4-day period. No leaks,” said Curtis.

 For more information and a short video of the Miami-Dade County testing, visit www.airvent.com.