Hip and ridge caps are protective components of a roof that offer extra coverage for roof peaks. There is no alternative to these caps, and it is dangerous for your roof and attic not to have proper caps. As a homeowner, you must learn the importance and functions of hip and ridge caps so you can select the best fit for your next roofing project.
At Trusted Roofing, we make it our priority to help you pick the right roofing materials for your home. Your roof protects you from harsh weather conditions, pests, and rodents. This article explains how the hip and ridge caps play their part in protecting your home.
Learning about hip and ridge caps can be confusing for homeowners because people often use roof ridge, and hip interchangeably, which isn’t correct. So we will first explain the terms roof ridge and roof hip.
What Is A Roof Ridge?
Most pitched roofs have ridges. A roof ridge is the highest area of your roof. It runs from the front end of your roof’s peak to the back. A roof ridge is also known as a roof peak and is covered by ridge caps.
What Is A Roof Hip?
A gable roof has two slopes, whereas a hip roof has four. If you have a hipped roof, you will see a slating line where two adjacent roof slopes meet. This is your roof’s hip, which is covered by hip caps. The roof hip forms a line at the intersection that runs down from the roof peak to the edge.
Why Do You Need Hip & Ridge Caps?
The main purpose of hip and ridge caps is to protect your roof from wind damage and leaks. These caps are placed at the most vulnerable points of your roof, which are the spaced gaps where the different sides of the roof meet. These spots are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, which makes them more prone to damage than any other part of the house. That’s why they have specific profiles and compositions.
Capping Protects The Roof From Wind Damage
If you have a hip or ridge cap on your roof, it’s there for a reason. The purpose of these roofing components is to provide extra protection to the most exposed part of your home. As you may know, wind can cause a lot of damage to both roofs and walls. You can purchase and install specially made hip and ridge cap shingles to protect the exposed parts from getting damaged by wind by adding an extra layer between the roofing materials, attic, and the weather.
These specially-made hip and ridge cap shingles contain specific adhesives that normal shingles don’t have, so they can protect your home from strong wind gusts. Also, they shield all layers under it from exposure so that nothing gets damaged during heavy rainstorms or strong winds.
Hip And Ridge Caps Prevent Roof Leaks And Pest Infestation
Also called roof capping, the hip and ridge caps keep water from entering your attic through the roof structure. These caps protect the roof sheathing, rafters, trusses, and attic from rot, mold, and algae. The caps also fill gaps between the shingles and rafters to prevent pests and rodents from entering the attic. Insects and animals tend to find their way into your attic through the holes and gaps in your roof, which leads to expensive repairs down the line.
Roof Capping Helps In Ventilating Your Home
Ridge caps help in ventilating your home. Some ridge caps come with ridge vents, which are a type of exhaust vent that pushes the hot air out of your attic. Ventilation is important in preventing rot, rust, and the growth of mold and algae in your roof and attic. Ridge vents are paired with soffit vents to form a complete ventilation system for your roof and attic. When ridge vents throw out hot and stale air, soffit vents intake fresh, cooler air.
There are multiple ridge vents, but the most popular and low-maintenance ones are shingle-over ridge vents and a ridge cap & vent system. Both offer the same function but differ in cost and style.
Shingle-Over Ridge Vent
This is the most popular roof vent because it requires no additional materials to install. It simply sits below the existing roof cap. These vents look like holes in the capping that allow air to escape through the top. The material used in this type of ridge vent is usually metal or plastic which isn’t usually visible from the ground view. It is an ideal ridge vent system where your caps are more evident.
You can select a capping that matches your roofing shingles or choose a victorian cap roll that stands out and adds an appealing visual element at the top of your roof.
Ridge Cap + Vent
If you want a more seamless look, this type of ridge cap and vent system will work best for you. It is a two-in-one design with vents attached to the cap’s bottom. It includes a metal or vinyl strip that comes in different colors to match the style of your home.
You Can’t Use Normal Shingles As Hip Or Ridge Caps
Although shingles are a great option for covering your roof, you can’t use them as hip or ridge caps. Normal shingles won’t stay in place during high winds, and standard shingles tend to tear off and blow away from the gaps in the ridge and hip when the wind blows too hard. The same thing happens with hipped roofs. If you have a hipped roof without special cap shingles, the wind will blow off the standard shingles from these types of roofs. Without any coverage, the roofing material beneath the shingles will also become exposed and damaged.
How To Choose The Best Capping For Your Roof?
Ridge caps come in various lengths, patterns, and colors, but selecting the one suitable for your home is important. There are two main types of ridge caps: metal and asphalt. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, so you need to consider what your roof needs before making a final decision.
Another thing to remember is what type of vents are being used on the roof. If the ridge vents are pointed downward (like gable vent pipes), then the metal will work better because it won’t require an additional cap.
Capping Material
The best material for hip and ridge caps depends on your preferences. The capping can have a similar look and formation as your roof covering, or look different if you want it to. Shingle roofs usually have cappings made of thick, curved asphalt caps reinforced with fiberglass. Metal roofs mostly have capping that’s usually made of thick, curved metal sheets. These sheets come in aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel. Some homeowners also install metal ridge caps on their shingle roofs for advanced protection.
Capping Profiles
Metal capping comes in different forms, such as long rolls and tile caps. Most metal capping roles are pre-cut for standard applications and require little to no additional cutting before installing them.
Traditional capping profiles include shake, tile, or shingle profiles that create a uniform look. They are used in conjunction with other styles of shingles, such as asphalt shingles or cedar shakes when restoring a home’s original look. These come in a variety of styles ranging from simple square caps to ornate designs with scalloped edges and decorative elements like scrollwork or finials at each corner.
If you are looking for a roof replacement service or a new capping system, we can help you with your project.
We Can Help You Choose The Right Hip And Ridge Caps!
When it comes to choosing the right hip and ridge caps for your home’s roof, we can help you make the best decision for your specific needs. There are plenty of factors to consider when selecting hip and ridge caps, including the type of roofing material you have, the climate in your area, and the overall style of your home. We can help you consider all these factors and choose a capping system that will provide the best protection for your home while looking great for years!
At Trusted Roofing we have been building the most sturdy and appealing roofs for years. If you live in Hendersonville, Tennessee, or the surrounding areas, give us a call at (615) 714-4300. We will be happy to offer you a free consultation and roof inspection!
