Frequently Asked Questions about The Edge™ Vent, Air Vent’s NEW Shingle-Over, Roof-top Installed Intake Vent
Q: Can I use The Edge Vent up the roof or only at the roof edge?
A: We intentionally named the product “The Edge Vent” because it should only be used at the horizontal edge of the roof per the installation instructions. Air Vent will not recommend its use at any other location on the roof because of the potential for weather-related problems. The Limited Lifetime Warranty will be void if the installation instructions are not followed.
Q: When will there be a version of The Edge Vent for use up the roof similar to other manufacturers’ products?
A: It is not known at this time whether a version of The Edge Vent will be offered to the market for venting higher up the roof line. This application opens the door to other potential issues which have yet to be fully investigated. Based on research, testing, and experience, it has been shown that the safest location for intake venting is at the edge or eave of the roof (including the soffit area). Unlike other manufacturers, Air Vent is not in the business of pushing its product to applications for which they were not intended just to sell a little more product. In the event that Air Vent offers a product in the future similar to The Edge Vent for use higher on the roof, our customers can rest assured that it will have been designed to perform specifically for that application.
Q: Is there a potential for pooling water behind The Edge Vent on 3/12 & 4/12 pitch roofs?
A: No, The Edge Vent was designed to shed water at these roof pitches.
Q: How will The Edge Vent perform in snow, ice regions of the country?
A: In terms of structural integrity, The Edge Vent will perform similarly to Air Vent’;s ShingleVent® II ridge vent, which is the same exact copolymer resin material as The Edge Vent. ShingleVent II has been on the market 20+ years on hundreds of thousands of roofs in northern climates.
As for its durability in northern climates, The Edge Vent should last the life of the roof provided that it is not subjected to conditions beyond what starter course and first course shingles typically experience.
Finally, regarding weather protection, interior features have been incorporated into the design of The Edge Vent to help prevent problems associated with northern climates (ice damming, snow accumulation, snow & moisture infiltration, etc.). Those interior features are: an internal weather filter (the same filter, by the way, used in ShingleVent II); patented internal baffles; and a patented drainage system.
Q: Will every brand of shingle correctly align on The Edge Vent in terms of nailing requirements?
A: No, every brand of shingle will not correctly align on The Edge Vent in terms of nailing requirements. Even if they did, Air Vent would not make that claim because we do not control shingle manufacturer’s nailing requirements for current shingles or for roofing materials that will be introduced to the market in the future. It is very possible that the installer of The Edge Vent will have to deviate from the shingle manufacturer’s recommended nailing location to ensure that both The Edge Vent and the shingles are adequately secured to the roof deck. Note: Nailing over the slot opening should be avoided to prevent damage and possible shingle and product wind uplift. Avoid nailing between 5-3/4” and 7-1/4” from the drip edge of The Edge Vent.
Q: With regard to waterproofing underlayment in northern climates (snow/ice) what does Air Vent recommend specific to The Edge Vent?
A: In snow regions, the underlayment typically used at the edge of the roof (e.g. ice and water shield) should be installed over the top of The Edge Vent to ensure proper protection from any water that could potentially backup under the shingles on the roof top. Additionally, Air Vent recommends that waterproofing underlayment also be used to protect the roof deck between the slot opening and the edge of the roof deck directly beneath the vent in northern climates.
Q: Instead of applying ice and water shield under The Edge Vent the first 5 inches on the deck, can I use window flashing tape or caulk?
A: Air Vent will not specify what materials are to be used beneath The Edge Vent in any climate. However, it is recommended that waterproofing underlayment or a similar performing product be used beneath The Edge Vent to protect the roof deck from possible moisture damage in northern climates. Note: Local building code should be referenced before an alternate material is selected.
Q: Will Air Vent specify a type of fastener?
A: Air Vent will not specify a particular fastener to be used for the installation of The Edge Vent or for shingles installed over the product because of possible variations in the construction details. Air Vent does specify that the roofing nail used to secure The Edge Vent to the roof deck AND to install the shingles over the vent be of sufficient length to fully penetrate the underside of the roof deck. However, Air Vent recommends that the fastener must be at least 1-3/4” long.
Q: If the ridge vent (exhaust vent) is snow covered and The Edge Vent (intake vent) is snow covered what happens to the attic ventilation?
A: If they are both covered, then there will be no attic ventilation. Eventually, the snow will clear from both the peak and the eave and the attic ventilation system will be functioning once again. Keep in mind, the only reason The Edge Vent would be temporarily blocked is because of snow accumulation in the gutter installed below the product.
In the event that The Edge Vent is covered with snow when the ridge vent is clear, the ridge vent will evacuate heat and moisture via thermal buoyancy. Once The Edge Vent is no longer blocked, the balanced attic ventilation system will be working as normal.
Q: Will building inspectors red flag a slot opening in the roof area where nonstop waterproofing underlayment should be placed?
A: It may be possible that a roofing inspector would red flag a slot opening in the roof deck in an area required to have a waterproofing underlayment from the edge of the roof up to at least 24” inside the exterior wall line (Ref. Section 905.2.7.1 of 2006 IRC). Currently, however, there is no code which addresses a continuous roof penetration in this area of the roof. Air Vent will be working with code and regulatory agencies to address the questions as they arise.
Q: Will Air Vent specify gutter size?
A: Air Vent has never specified the gutter size for use with its product and will not do so with The Edge Vent because of the infinite variables that are structure specific. Obviously, the drip edge of the shingles can be as much as 1-1/4” further from the fascia board compared to shingle installations without The Edge Vent. Therefore, narrow profiled gutters that have long runs and significant elevation drops could present some issues. Compatibility of The Edge Vent with existing or new gutter systems will need to be investigated for each specific structure by the installer.
Q: Is there room for installer error in cutting the slot 5 inches from the roof edge?
A: Yes, as with most building construction practices, there is some latitude with the precise slot dimensions to be cut. It is recommended that the lower cut for the slot be maintained as close as possible to 5” from the drip edge flashing and that the slot width be maintained between ¾” to 1” wide (Note: An edge flashing must be used when installing The Edge Vent). A nice, straight lower cut will assist in properly locating The Edge Vent on the roof with the locating tabs on the underside the product.
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