Did your roofer mention anything about ventilation? Sometimes that gets overlooked, but it can make a huge difference, especially with older houses.
Ventilation was actually one of my main concerns. My contractor seemed focused on the shingles and underlayment, but I had to push for details on ridge vents and soffit vents. With these older houses, you’re right—it’s easy to miss, but it really affects moisture and heat buildup. I’m not convinced synthetic underlayment is always worth the hype, either. It’s supposed to last longer, but if it doesn’t breathe, what’s the point?
I’ve wondered about the synthetic underlayment too. My contractor pitched it as a must-have, but I keep reading mixed reviews, especially for older homes that need to “breathe” more. Did you end up going with ridge vents or stick with traditional box vents? I’m trying to figure out if the extra cost for ridge vents is really justified on a tight budget, or if it’s more of a marketing thing...
I’ve run into the same debate on a bunch of projects, especially with older houses. Honestly, I’ve seen synthetic underlayment work fine, but I get why folks worry about breathability. On my own place (built in the 40s), I went with ridge vents after a lot of back and forth. They weren’t cheap, but the attic’s noticeably cooler now. That said, I’ve also seen box vents do the job just fine if the rest of the attic ventilation is solid. Sometimes I think the “must-have” pitch is a bit much, especially if you’re watching costs.
I’ve noticed similar results with ridge vents, especially on older homes where the attic can get stifling. They’re definitely pricier upfront, but I’ve found they handle airflow better than box vents in most cases. That said, if your soffit vents are clear and you’re not dealing with a complex roofline, box vents can still work out fine. It really comes down to the whole system working together—no single component is a magic fix. Synthetic underlayment’s been reliable for me too, as long as you’re careful about moisture barriers elsewhere. Sometimes the “must-have” lists seem more about trends than actual performance.
RIDGE VS BOX VENTS—WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE?
- I’m in the middle of this same debate. Ridge vents seem like the “modern” choice, but I keep hearing mixed things about their effectiveness if your attic isn’t set up right.
- My builder says box vents are cheaper and easier to install, but then I wonder if I’m shortchanging myself long-term.
- Kinda agree about the “must-have” lists. When I asked around, half the stuff people swore by just felt like upsells.
- Anyone else worried about synthetic underlayment trapping moisture? I’ve read it’s great unless you mess up the vapor barrier elsewhere... which sounds easy to do.
Still not sure which way to go. Leaning toward whatever keeps my attic from turning into a sauna this summer.