Ridge vent vs. box vent

Ridge vents work as a system: cool air enters through soffit vents, hot air rises and exits at the ridge — a passive, continuous airflow with no moving parts and no electricity. Done right, it is the most effective residential attic-ventilation method available. Done wrong (soffits blocked with insulation, insufficient net-free area at the ridge), it provides little benefit. Box vents work too, but they exhaust air only near each vent — the attic between vents runs hotter, and in NC summers that means attic temps that regularly exceed 140°F.

NC's climate makes attic ventilation particularly important: sustained high heat degrades shingles from underneath, shortening the roof's effective life. On a storm replacement, ventilation is often upgraded as part of the scope — particularly on older homes built with box vents and minimal soffit area. Some major manufacturer warranties require a ridge-vent-plus-soffit configuration as part of an approved installation. We document the ventilation plan on every full-replacement scope we file.