Hip and ridge vent

Abstract

A roof ridge and hip ridge vent system for contoured roofs which include a vent slot located through the roof structure along at least one of a roof ridge or hip ridge. A contoured roofing material having upwardly directed projections and valleys between the projections forms the roof surface. A vent strip is provided on the roof surface and extends on each side of the vent slot. The vent strip is comprised of synthetic fibers that are randomly aligned into an open web by an air flow and then joined by a phenolic or latex binder that is heat cured to form an air permeable mesh material having a generally uniform thickness, a density of about 0.08 to 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter (1.3 to 1.6 grams per cubic inch), and a crush recovery of at least 80%.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A roof ridge and hip ridge vent system for contoured roofs, comprising:
 a vent slot located through a roof structure along at least one of a roof ridge or hip ridge;   a contoured roofing material having upwardly directed projections that forms a roof surface;   at least one vent strip on the roof surface that extends on each side of the vent slot, the vent strip is comprised of synthetic fibers that are randomly aligned into an open web by an air flow and then joined by a phenolic or latex binder that is heat cured to form an air permeable mesh material having a generally uniform thickness, a density of about 0.08 to 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter (1.3 to 1.6 grams per cubic inch), and a crush recovery of at least 80%, the vent strip is resiliently compressible such that a space between the projections in the contoured roofing material is filled with the vent strip, and a portion of the strip is compressed into contact with and extends over the projections; and   a cap overlying the slot and the vent strip.   
     
     
         2 . The roof ridge and hip ridge vent system for contoured roofs of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the at least one vent strip is in a range of 1.1 to 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The roof ridge and hip ridge vent system for contoured roofs of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent strip comprises two separate vent strips, with one being located on each side of the vent slot. 
     
     
         4 . The roof ridge and hip ridge vent system for contoured roofs of  claim 1 , wherein the roof and hip ridge vent system provides at least 28 square inches of net free area per lineal foot of ridge.