What Is a Roof Ridge Cap?

Without a resilient roof, your home can become vulnerable to moisture intrusion, and your home’s interior and attic can be damaged as a result. Harsh winds and storms can hit the ridge of your roof, testing its makeup. A ridge cap is made up of special shingles that protect your roof ridge. They are thicker than regular shingles. Regular shingles crack when folded over your roof ridge, so ridge cap shingles come pre-bent.

A ridge cap is a vital part of your roof installation. It protects your home from leaks and adds to the architectural design of your home.

A Roof Ridge Cap’s Purpose

Quality roof shingles and proper roofing installation are essential to the longevity of your roof, but if you want to really maximize your roofing system’s performance and its lifespan, your roof ridge needs to be appropriately protected. A ridge cap is formed over your roof ridge and makes it more efficient in shedding moisture and debris.

To prevent the ridge cap from blowing off and avoid tears near the nailing hole, ridge cap shingles have more adhesion and a thicker nailing area compared to regular shingles.

Ridge Cap Options from Owens Corning

Owens Corning—one of the most reputable manufacturer of roofing materials in America—has four main options for ridge cap shingles:

• Berkshire Hip & Ridge Shingles—Thickness, proportion and color selection reminiscent of natural slate
• DuraRidge Hip & Ridge Shingles—High-profile and layered design enhances the roof line
• ProEdge Hip & Ridge Shingles—Provide a clean and consistent look
• ImpactRidge Hip & Ridge Shingles—Designed for outstanding holding power against the high winds of severe storms up to 130 MPH

Asphalt Roofing Ridge Cap

A home covered in asphalt shingles will require a ridge cap shingle. And since asphalt shingles can be prone to wear and tear (over time), it’s important to have ridge cap shingles installed to prevent moisture from entering your home.

Metal Roofing Ridge Cap

For extra protection from dirt, debris, and water, metal roofing requires a roofing closure to be installed between the roof panels and your ridge cap. You can choose from two options:

• Solid closure—This is watertight and airtight
• Vented closure—This allows hot air to escape and is preferred when you have an attic.

Once the closure is installed, a ridge cap is placed on top of it. Ridge caps come in pieces that are 10 feet long and up to a foot wide, and are customized to fit your roof peak with precision.

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Don’t Overlook Even a Small Roof Leak

Roof leaks can occur due to worn shingles, hail damage, severe weather damage, cracked or curled shingles, or a worn out, 20-30 year old roof. The longer you wait to address roof leaks, the more likely you’ll have more damage from what started as a small problem.

Common causes of a roof leak

Roof installation errors, cracked flashing, broken shingles, and improperly sealed valleys can all cause your roof to leak. And surprisingly, even walking on your roof too frequently and stepping on a fragile part of your roof can create roof leaks.  

Protect Your Home with a Reliable Roofing System

When your roof leaks or becomes damaged, it can feel overwhelming. You deserve a roof that complements your home, safeguards it from the elements, increases its energy efficiency, and raises its value.

At American Way Exteriors, we educate you on roofing systems and guide you toward the best solution for your needs. We take time to answer your questions, and install your roof with attention to detail. We even provide financing options so you can address your roofing needs promptly.

We offer roof installation, repair, emergency roof repair, and storm damage repair. Our drone roof inspections help us obtain the best aerial view of any damage and assess your roof with thoroughness.

As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we meet the strict reliability and professional standards of Owens Corning, ensuring you get the high-performance, durable roofing you deserve.

Stop roof leaks by addressing the problem early on. Find out how we can inspect your roof!