[Greenbuilding] Ridge Vent Critter Barrier

[Bruce Donelson]

FWIW, it should probably be mentioned that the "modern" elongated box
style of ridge vents that are made for use with agricultural-style metal
roofing don't seem to do a very good job of keeping wind-driven rain out.
Wind sweeps rain up the slope of the roof , defeats the baffle and rain
gets through under the louvres.  The old-fashioned "steeple" type seemed
to work better.


We bend up the last 1/2" of the roof pans. This keeps the wind from blowing
the rain up. It gets covered by the ridge vent. Our ridge vent detail has a
vertical drop that ends about 3/8" above the bottom of the roofing. We notch
this end over the high ribs and rivet it down. Before we put on the felt, we
cover the ridge with hardware cloth. We cut out the felt just before the
ridge goes on. That way moisture won't get into the building while the roof
is being installed.
Bruce Donelson
A Better Builder