GAF TRUSLATE User Manual
TruSlate™ Ridge Vent
Attic Exhaust Ventilation
Application Instructions
Updated: 9/10
Quality You Can Trust Since 1886...
From North America’s Largest Roofing Manufacturer
™
APPLICATION
MC
INSTRUCTIONS
“Quality You Can Trust
Since 1886...From
North America’s Largest
Ridge Vent
Roofing Manufacturer”
Roof Deck: Use only over a well-seasoned, supported wood deck, tightly
constructed with maximum 6” (152mm) wide lumber, having adequate
nail-holding capacity. OSB or Plywood decking as recommended by The
Engineered Wood Association is acceptable.
For ridge vent to function properly, it must be the only exhaust vent for the
vented attic space. Do not use with gable-end louvers, turbines, roof vents,
or power vents.
Slope Restrictions:
Use only on slopes between 4/12 and 16/12
Do NOT install on hips.
NOTE: Install TruSlate™ Ridge Vent BEFORE installing the field slates. This
will ensure that a full course of TruSlate™ slates can be installed adjacent to
the ridge vent.
STEP 1
Calculations for a Balanced Ventilation System
To achieve a “balanced system” with ridge vents, there must be an air intake
system (i.e., soffits or undereave vents). For proper ventilation, the amount of
undereave ventilation must equal the amount of ventilation at the ridge.
NOTE: In no case should the amount of exhaust ventilation exceed the
amount of intake ventilation.
To determine the minimum square feet of net free ventilating
area (NFVA) needed for a balanced ventilation system, use the
following formula:
Sq. ft. of attic floor space
300
TruSlate™ Ridge Vent has 18 square inches of NFVA per
lineal foot. To determine how many feet of TruSlate
Min.Sq. ft. of
=
NFVA needed
™
Ridge Vent is needed, use the following formula:
1/2 x (Min. sq. ft. of NFVA needed) x 144/18 = Min. lineal feet of ridge
vent needed
To determine the amount of undereave vent required, use the
following formula:
X = NFVA (sq. in. per lin. ft.) of the undereave vent or intake vent
system selected 1/2 x (min. sq. ft. of NFVA needed) x 144/X = Min. lineal
feet of undereave vent needed
NOTE:
Consult local building codes for other ventilation requirements.
STEP 2
Instruction For Slots
1. After calculating the total length of TruSlate
determine the necessary slot opening required.
Roofs without a ridge board: Cut a 7/8” (22mm) opening along the ridge
on each side (Figure A). Roofs with a ridge board: cut a 1 5/8” (41mm)
opening along the ridge on each side (Figure B).
™
Ridge Vent needed,
Fig. A
(22 mm)
(22 mm)
(44 mm)
Fig. B
(41 mm)
”
”
5
5
(41 mm)
1
1
/8
/8
”
1
(82 mm)
3
/4
NOTE: The total maximum slot opening is 3 1/4” (83mm) wide.
2. Mark off and cut the slot opening, making sure that the ends of the
opening stop at least 6” from any end walls and at least 12” (30mm)
from hip and ridge intersections or chimneys. (Figure C)
(152 mm)
Fig. C
(152 mm)
(152 mm)
(305 mm) (305 mm) (152 mm)
Where short ridges (dormers, ridge intersections) are used, mark and cut the
slot and make sure that the end of the opening stops at least 12” (305mm)
from the ridge intersection (Figure D).
Fig. D
(152 mm)
(152 mm) (152 mm)
(305 mm)
3. Install an 18” (459mm) wide piece of peel and stick leak barrier, such as
GAF-Elk Weather Watch® or StormGuard® Leak Barrier, from the edge of the
ridge slot extending down towards the roof deck.
STEP 3
Ridge Vent Installation
1. Place the TruSlate™ Ridge Vent over the ridge slot. The ridge vent must
always be “peaked” and centered over the ridge slot. The top panel on each
side of the ridge vent must be parallel to the roof deck below to avoid sizing
problems when installing trim slates (Figure E).
Fig. E
Correct
Ridge Slot
Centerline
Vent “peaked” and centered
over ridge slot
Ridge Slot
Centerline
Vent o-center
over ridge slot
Incorrect
2. Attach the vent section using minimum 1 3/4” (44mm) roofing nails
through pre-molded nail holes on the vent (Figure F).
• Fasteners must always penetrate through plywood decks or at least
3/4” (19mm) into wood planks. 3” (76mm) ring shank nails are
recommended for increased uplift resistance.
3. Apply the subsequent ridge vent sections over the length of the ridge
utilizing male/female connectors on each vent. Cover all of the
exposed nail heads on the vent with silicone caulk.
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