What is Hip and Ridge Cap in Asphalt Roofing Systems?
If you’re looking into roof replacement, reviewing scopes, or simply trying to learn more about roofing, you might come across the term “hip and ridge cap.” This is one of the most common components to any asphalt roofing system. Whether you’re a DIY homeowner, aspiring handyman or roofer, roofing sales rep, or an adjuster, understanding the function and importance of hip and ridge caps is essential. This article will explain what hip and ridge caps are, why they matter, why you shouldn’t try to use alternative materials in place of them, and how they often become a topic in insurance claims.
What is Hip and Ridge Cap?
The hip and ridge cap consists of specially designed shingles that cover the roof’s hips (where two roof slopes meet at an outside angle) and ridges (the highest points on the roof). These caps provide critical protection for some of the most vulnerable areas of the roof—its seams and edges. Unlike standard asphalt shingles, hip and ridge caps are contoured to fit over the peaks of the roof, giving it a finished look while protecting against wind-driven rain and other weather elements. Without hip and ridge cap shingles, the gaps where the roof decking meets would quickly become entry points for water, bugs, and wildlife.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Regular Shingles as Hip and Ridge Cap
Some contractors may cut corners by manipulating standard shingles to act as hip and ridge caps. While this practice can save money upfront, it’s not recommended for several important reasons:
- Design Specifications: Hip and ridge caps are manufactured with a particular shape and thickness to conform to the peak of the roof. Regular shingles are flat and not designed to flex over sharp angles. By forcing standard shingles to function as hip and ridge caps, you run the risk of improper coverage, which can lead to gaps or weak spots. When inspecting old roofs, it is common to find exposed fiberglass and even holes at the hips and ridges when thin 3-tab shingles are flexed over these roof edges.
- Manufacturer Warranty: Most roofing manufacturers produce specific hip and ridge caps as part of their overall roofing systems. If contractors use standard shingles instead, it often voids the warranty on the roof, leaving you exposed to costs for future repairs that would otherwise be covered. If you’re wondering just how important this is take note: Major brands like Owens Corning have issued technical bulletins to clarify their prohibition of 3-tab shingles as Hip and Ridge Cap shingles. Other manufacturers such as IKO, require ONLY standard course shingles and hip and ridge shingles to honor their standard manufacturer’s warranty. Pretty important, right?
- Performance Issues: Hip and ridge caps are engineered to withstand the high-wind conditions that typically impact the peaks and ridges of a roof. Regular shingles lack the adhesive properties, strength, and weather resistance of proper hip and ridge caps, leading to potential roof failures, particularly during storms.
- Aesthetic Concerns: Hip and ridge caps are designed to create a clean, professional finish at the roof’s highest points. Hip and ridge cap shingles are color matched to their corresponding roof systems, particularly with laminate shingle roof systems. Because of this, using standard shingles often results in a patchy, uneven appearance, which can negatively impact curb appeal and potentially lower the home’s value.
Hip and Ridge Cap in Insurance Claims
Hip and ridge caps often become a topic of conversation in insurance claims, particularly when carriers attempt to classify them as part of the general shingle waste factor. Like starter strips, hip and ridge caps are a distinct product with a specific function and cost, and they should be treated as such in any roofing estimate or claim.
Here’s why separating hip and ridge caps from the waste factor is crucial:
- Defined Function: The hip and ridge cap isn’t just extra shingle material or waste. It plays a unique role in protecting some of the most exposed areas of the roof. Lumping it into waste is inaccurate and leaves the homeowner with less course shingles accounted for than the project requires.
- Separate Cost: Hip and ridge caps are priced separately from regular shingles, and they should be listed as a distinct line item in any roofing estimate. If they’re bundled into the waste factor, it can lead to being underpaid and force contractors to cut corners, potentially leading to future roof damage.
- Full Coverage for Homeowners: When filing an insurance claim, it’s important for adjusters to correctly account for hip and ridge caps as their own product, ensuring proper coverage for the homeowner. When hip and ridge cap is not allocated its own product quantity and price, the homeowner is left at a deficit both in the amount paid and the total product requirement for the installation. This is a “double whammy” of negative impact to the homeowner roof replacement cost and quality.
Conclusion
Understanding what hip and ridge caps are and their importance in an asphalt roofing system is crucial for anyone involved in roofing, whether as a homeowner, aspiring roofer, sales rep, or adjuster. These caps play a vital role in protecting your roof’s most vulnerable areas, and using alternatives like cut shingles simply doesn’t measure up in terms of durability, performance, and aesthetic appeal. Be sure to include hip and ridge caps as a separate line item in any insurance claim and never settle for shortcuts when it comes to these essential roofing components. Proper installation is key to a long-lasting, weather-resistant roof.