What cap shingles should go over a ridge vent?
Short answer. Use the hip and ridge cap shingles made by your field shingle's manufacturer, in the matching color and in the width your ridge vent was designed for, usually 10 or 12 inches. On architectural shingle roofs, purpose made caps are the norm, because cutting laminated shingles into caps leaves cracked, uneven pieces that can fail in wind.
Types of cap shingles
- Standard hip and ridge caps: pre cut, pre bent pieces with a sealant strip, sized to cover a vent.
- High profile caps: thicker, taller caps that give a bold, finished look along the ridge.
- Cut 3-tab caps: made by cutting 3-tab shingles into thirds. Acceptable on 3-tab roofs, but they are thin and not a match for architectural roofs.
Why matching matters
- Color: caps are made to match the field shingle blend.
- Warranty: shingle makers often require their own hip and ridge caps, plus approved vents, for enhanced warranty coverage.
- Width: a cap narrower than the vent leaves vent edges exposed; many vents come in versions for 10 inch and 12 inch caps.
Installing over a vent
- Caps are laid starting at the end opposite the prevailing wind.
- Exposure follows the bundle instructions.
- Nails pass through the cap and vent and penetrate the deck by at least 3/4 inch or go through it.
- In cold weather, caps should be warmed so they bend without cracking, and may need hand sealing.
Counting caps
The bundle wrapper states linear feet of coverage. Measure every ridge and hip; hip caps use the same product.
See architectural vs 3-tab shingles and roofing warranties explained.