Ridge vent for tile roofing

Abstract

A ridge vent for tile roofing includes a vent member attached to a longitudinally extending ridge member and extending over at least a portion of a longitudinally extending vent opening. The vent member includes a number of passageways that connect the vent opening to the ambient atmosphere. A layer of air-permeable and moisture-resistant material covers the vent member so that air from the vented space passes through the material layer. Moisture from outside the structure coming into contact with the material layer is repelled. In one embodiment, the material layer provides a form for a sealing layer of mortar or mastic between the tile and the vent member preventing mortar from flowing into the vent opening. In another embodiment, flexible flashing material is used to provide a sealing structure between the tile and the vent member.

1 . A ventilating apparatus for a roof having a longitudinally extending ridge member and a vent opening substantially co-extensive with said ridge member, said ventilating apparatus comprising: 
 a vent member attached to said ridge member and extending longitudinally along a length of said vent opening, said vent member including a plurality of vent passages communicating said vent opening to ambient atmosphere;    a layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material covering said vent member while ventilating air flow from said vent opening passes through said material layer irrespective of wind conditions; and    a capping structure extending longitudinally above said ridge member covering said ridge member and said vent opening so that ventilating air from said vent opening passes within a space between said capping structure and said roof.    
   
   
       2 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said roof is covered by tiles.  
   
   
       3 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material includes a folded drip edge.  
   
   
       4 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , including a flexible flashing, said folded drip edge covers the top edge of said flexible flashing.  
   
   
       5 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material serves as a form for mortar or mastic material applied adjacent said vent opening.  
   
   
       6 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a support bracket for supporting said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material above said ridge member.  
   
   
       7 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material includes a side portion and a skirt portion and said ventilating apparatus including a metal flashing located at least partially beneath said side portion and said skirt portion.  
   
   
       8 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said capping structure includes longitudinally extending side edges and said layer of material includes skirt portions extending beyond said vent member, said skirt portions extending outwardly away from a longitudinally extending ridge member for a distance at least as far as said side edges.  
   
   
       9 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said skirt portions have an inactive position lying loosely downward from said side edges of said capping structure and a wind driven active position contacting said side edges to inhibit moisture from entering an inner space between said capping structure and said layer of material.  
   
   
       10 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , including a flexible flashing having a top edge, said skirt portions covering the top edge of said flexible flashing.  
   
   
       11 . A ventilating apparatus for a roof covering a building, the roof having a vent opening for permitting ventilating air to pass from an interior portion of the building through the roof, said ventilating apparatus comprising: 
 at least one vent member attached to the roof and extending along said vent opening, said vent member including a plurality of vent passages communicating said vent opening to ambient atmosphere;    air-permeable, moisture-resistant means covering said vent member irrespective of wind conditions for facilitating ventilating air flow from said vent opening to pass through said means while moisture will be inhibited from passing through said means into said vent opening in the building; and    a capping structure covering said vent opening and said vent member so that ventilating air from said vent opening passes within a space between said capping structure and said roof.    
   
   
       12 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means includes a folded drip edge.  
   
   
       13 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 12 , including a flashing adjacent said vent member, said folded drip edge covering a top edge of said flashing.  
   
   
       14 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means also serves as a means for forming a mortar or mastic material applied adjacent said vent member to seal between said vent member and said roof.  
   
   
       15 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means is a layer of flexible material.  
   
   
       16 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , furthering comprising a support bracket for supporting a portion of said air-permeable, moisture-resistant layer of flexible material to provide a peak in said material for enhancing moisture run off.  
   
   
       17 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said air-permeable, moisture-resistant layer of flexible material includes a side portion and a skirt portion, and said ventilating apparatus includes a flashing located at least partially beneath said side portion and said skirt portion.  
   
   
       18 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said capping structure includes longitudinally extending side edges and said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means includes skirt portions extending beyond said vent member, said skirt portions extending outwardly transverse to a longitudinal direction of said vent opening for a distance at least as far as said side edges.  
   
   
       19 . The ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said skirt portions have an inactive position lying loosely downward from said side edges of said capping structure and a wind driven active position contacting said side edges of said capping structure to inhibit moisture from entering an inner space between said capping structure and said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means.  
   
   
       20 . The venting apparatus as set forth in  claim 11 , further including a moisture-impervious skirt attached to said air-permeable, moisture-resistant means.  
   
   
       21 . A ventilating apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a moisture-impervious skirt attached to said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant material covering said vent member.  
   
   
       22 . A method of installing a ridge vent having a moisture-resistant barrier to a structure having a tile roof, said method comprising: 
 providing a ridge member and a vent opening at an apex of the structure;    attaching at least one vent member to said ridge member so that said vent member provides a passage for air exiting said vent opening;    providing a layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant fabric;    covering said vent member with said layer of air-permeable, moisture-resistant fabric;    deploying a portion of said fabric layer as a form for applying a sealant;    applying said sealant on said form portion of said fabric layer between a course of roofing tile and said vent member; and    covering said ridge vent with a course of capping tile.