How much are roof vent tiles, and does a Georgia home need them?
Short answer. Roof vent tiles are vents molded to match clay or concrete roof tiles, and their price depends mostly on the tile profile, material and how hard it is to match the existing roof; labor to lift and reset surrounding tiles is usually a bigger share than the part. Most Georgia homes have asphalt shingles, which use ridge vents or box vents instead of vent tiles.
What a vent tile is
On a tile roof, a vent tile takes the place of one field tile and lets attic air out through a hidden opening. Some are full tiles with a louvered opening, others are low profile vents that sit under or between tiles. They are made to match particular tile shapes, such as flat, S shaped or barrel tiles.
What drives the price
- Profile and material: a vent made for a common concrete tile is easier to source than one for an older or discontinued clay tile.
- Color match: tiles fade, so a new vent may not match the roof around it.
- Labor: tiles must be lifted, the underlayment opened and flashed, and the tiles reset without cracking them. Tile roofs also take special care to walk on.
- Underlayment condition: on older tile roofs, the underlayment beneath often wears out before the tiles, and opening the roof can reveal it.
If you have asphalt shingles
You do not need vent tiles. The shingle equivalents are a shingle-over ridge vent along the peak or static box vents high on the slopes, fed by soffit intake. The parts themselves are inexpensive compared with the labor and roof access, and the best time to add or change them is during a replacement.
Pricing tips
- Get the part price from a tile supplier using the tile's manufacturer and profile.
- Ask the roofer to price the labor separately so you can compare.
For shingle roofs, compare ridge vent vs box vents, and see roof ventilation basics.