How to Install Ridge Vents on a Shingle Roof

Remove the ridge cap shingles. These are commonly smaller shingles that extend across the ridge and are nailed in place on each side of the roof ridge. Each ridge cap shingle overlaps the previous shingle and the positions of the nails are hidden by the overlap. Carefully pry the ridge caps off without damaging the existing shingles on the slopes of the roof.

Cut the shingles that overlap the roof peak. Commonly the top course shingles on each slope extend over the ridgeline and are nailed in place on the opposite side. Make the cut to create a 2-inch wide opening, centered on the line of the peak, where there are no shingles. Use roofing tar or shingle nails to hold any loose edges of shingles in place after the cuts.

Cut the roof sheathing away below the opening created in the shingles. Use a circular saw with the blade depth set to cut about 1/8 inch beyond the bottom of the roof sheathing. The guide of the saw will rest on the shingles so take the thickness of the shingles into account when adjusting the saw. Remove the loose roof sheathing after the cut. At this point you should have an opening through the shingles and sheathing allowing air to move from the attic to the outside of the home.

Place the ridge vent in place on the top of the opening. Nail the ridge vent in place with 2-inch roofing nails. Fit any end caps to the vents and reinstall ridge shingles on any portion of the roof not covered by the ridge vent.