Guide

Hip and Ridge Shingles Explained

The cap shingles along your roof’s peaks take more wind and sun than any other part of the roof. Here is what goes there, why cut-up 3-tab is a shortcut, and when a premium cap is worth it.

The table

Three ways to cap a hip or ridge

Hips and ridges are the high-stress lines of a roof: wind lifts there first and every shingle edge ends there. The cap is what covers them.

Option	What it is	Impact rating	Look
Field-cut 3-tab	Strips of 3-tab shingle cut into pieces on site and bent over the ridge	Depends on the shingle	Flat, thin, color may not match
GAF Seal-A-Ridge	Machine-cut, factory color-matched ridge cap with Dura Grip self-seal adhesive	UL 2218 Class 3 (packages bearing the statement)	Clean, uniform line
GAF TimberTex	Double-layer 12 inch wide premium cap with an 8 inch exposure	UL 2218 Class 4 (packages bearing the statement)	Thick, dimensional, up to 195% thicker than field-cut 3-tab

Product facts from GAF Seal-A-Ridge and GAF TimberTex product pages. GAF notes the impact ratings are laboratory tests and hail damage is not covered under its limited warranty.

In detail

What each option is for

On a new architectural shingle roof, purpose-made ridge cap is the right choice. Here is why, and when the premium cap is worth it.

Purpose-made ridge cap, the right default

Seal-A-Ridge machine cut, color matched, self-sealing.

Made to bend over a hip or ridge without cracking, color matched to the shingles, and sealed with GAF’s Dura Grip adhesive to reduce blow-off. GAF says the machine-cut design gives a much cleaner finished look than hand-cut 3-tab strips.

It also counts toward GAF’s Lifetime Roofing System. GAF says lifetime coverage on shingles and accessories requires a GAF Lifetime Shingle plus at least three qualifying GAF accessories, and ridge cap is one of them.

The catch. It looks like what it is, a neat ridge line. If you want the ridge to read as a feature, that is TimberTex.

Premium double-layer cap, for a heavier look and Class 4

TimberTex 12 inch wide, 8 inch exposure, UL 2218 Class 4.

A thick, double-layer cap that gives hips and ridges depth to match dimensional shingles such as Timberline HDZ. The 8 inch exposure means fewer pieces than field-cut 3-tab, and the continuous sealant strip helps with wind uplift.

TimberTex packages carrying the statement are rated UL 2218 Class 4 for impact, so it pairs with an impact-resistant shingle on a roof built for hail.

The catch. It costs more than standard cap, and GAF notes it is not available in every region. Ask for it by name if you want it.

Field-cut 3-tab, the shortcut

Cut on site from ordinary 3-tab strips.

Some roofers still cut 3-tab shingles into thirds and bend them over the ridge. It is cheap, and on an old 3-tab roof it at least matches.

On an architectural shingle roof it is thinner than the field shingles, the color rarely matches and the cut edges are uneven.

The catch. It does not qualify as a GAF ridge cap accessory, so it can cost you warranty coverage. If a quote does not name a ridge cap product, ask what will go on the ridge.

Hips vs ridges

The difference between a hip and a ridge

Both get the same cap shingles, but they are different parts of the roof.

A ridge is the horizontal peak where two slopes meet at the top. On most roofs it is also where the ridge vent goes, and the cap shingles cover the vent. Our ridge vent vs box vent guide explains that side.

A hip is the sloped line where two slopes meet running down from the ridge to a corner of the house, which is why a hip roof has them on every side. Hips are capped from the bottom up so each piece overlaps the one below and sheds water.

See where both sit on a house in our parts of a roof guide. If the cap on your roof is cracked, lifting or missing pieces, that is a quick roof repair and well worth doing before the next storm.

What we see

Why ridge caps fail first

Wind lifts a roof hardest at its edges and peaks, so loose or missing ridge cap is one of the first things to show after a storm. Bent 3-tab caps that have cracked at the fold, and caps that never sealed, are the usual culprits.

Exposure matters too. The ridge gets the most sun on the roof, and a cap that has lost its granules ages faster than the field shingles below it.

We check the ridge and hips on every free roof inspection, and after a storm our storm damage team looks there first.

Finished ridge line on a Lamar Homes roof

Keep reading

Related guides and calculators

Parts of a roof

Hips, ridges, valleys and the rest, labeled.

Starter shingles

The other end of the roof, at the eaves.

Types of roof shingles

3-tab, architectural and designer, compared.

Ridge vent vs box vent

What sits under the ridge cap.

Prefer to write to us?

Send us a message

We’re always here to help! Whether you just have a general question or you are wanting to schedule a FREE inspection, fill out the form and someone from our team will be in contact with you.

Free inspection, no obligation to buy
Personalized written estimate
Financing and insurance claim support
Residential and commercial properties

Call (984) 224-7182 Or pick a time

Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm
3700 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606

Hip and ridge shingle questions

What are hip and ridge shingles?

They are cap shingles made to cover the hips and ridges of a roof, where two slopes meet. Purpose-made caps such as GAF Seal-A-Ridge and TimberTex are pre-cut, color matched and designed to bend over the peak and seal down.

Can you use regular shingles for ridge caps?

Only 3-tab shingles can be cut for it, and it is a shortcut. On an architectural shingle roof, field-cut 3-tab is thinner, rarely matches the color and does not count as a GAF ridge cap accessory for warranty purposes. Purpose-made cap is the better choice.

What is the difference between Seal-A-Ridge and TimberTex?

Seal-A-Ridge is GAF’s standard machine-cut cap with a UL 2218 Class 3 impact rating. TimberTex is a premium double-layer cap, 12 inches wide with an 8 inch exposure, up to 195% thicker than field-cut 3-tab and rated UL 2218 Class 4 when the package says so.

Do ridge caps affect my roof warranty?

They can. GAF says lifetime coverage on shingles and accessories requires a GAF Lifetime Shingle and at least three qualifying GAF accessories. Ridge cap is one of those accessories. Field-cut 3-tab is not.

What is the difference between a hip and a ridge?

A ridge is the horizontal peak at the top of the roof. A hip is the sloped line running down from the ridge to a corner of the house where two slopes meet. Both are covered with cap shingles.

How do I know if my ridge cap needs repair?

Look for cracked, lifted or missing cap pieces along the peak or hips, especially after a storm, and granules washing into the gutters from the ridge. A leak in the attic near the peak is another sign.

Still have questions? Call (984) 224-7182 or email clients@lamarhomes.net.

All roofing FAQs

Give us a call or fill out our form today to schedule your free inspection!

Whether you need a roof replacement, roof repair, or annual inspection, we’ve got you covered.

(984) 224-7182 Schedule Appointment