do ridge vents really work ?

[Arky217]

When I install the roofing on my house, I am planning on continuous soffett and ridge venting. I have always heard that a continuous ridge vent, along with adequate soffett vents, is the optimum passive venting method.

On Roofing.com, however, I came across this link,http://www.savenrg.com/venting.htm, that says ridge venting doesn't work.
Of course, the article is by a company that's advertising its own venting product, so there may be some bias there.
Basically, what they seem to be saying is that because ridge vents or ridge trims are shaped like an inverted 'V', that they block the hot air from escaping.

What's the general consensus on whether or not ridge vents work ?

Thanks,
Arky

[Alan Gage]

I've come across that site when researching before and wasn't too impressed. It sounds too much like a sales pitch to me. Everything else I've read says ridge vents are about the best thing going for roof venting. I guess it depends on who you want be believe.

Building Science just released a new article on roof venting:

http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/published-articles/pa-crash-course-in-roof-venting/view

Alan

[MountainDon]

If you've ever been on a roof on a warm day and checked the air flow out the ridge vent you would agree that much of that article is a sales pitch. Even the gable end vents have hot air pouring out of them.

[suburbancowboy]

They better work.  I just spent this last weekend putting mine in.