Better to have a vent channel and no vent openings than vice versa as the air gap allows some evaporative drying and hygric redistribution.
Foam insulation no roof vent.
But spray foam insulation used at the underside of the roof deck would need to be covered by a thermal barrier and intumescent coatings are commonly used.
Rigid foam and spray foam are two of them.
Foam insulation can play an important role in both vented and un vented roof assemblies.
In an un vented roof foam can serve as the air barrier and vapor retarder and prevent moisture from getting in to the roof.
In a vented roof foam can seal the openings and serve as an air barrier and a vapor retarder in addition to its insulating function.
You don t need soffit or gable vents either since the attic is now conditioned space.
Insulating and venting when there is no roof soffit.
Heat from the house rises up to the attic but when there isn t one the heat rises up to the roof.
Cathedral roofs especially need a lot more insulation between the ceiling and the rafters because there usually isn t any attic space.
To add to what brian said closed cell spray foam ccspf applied directly to the underside of the roof sheathing would seal a ridge vent shut.
One of the most common reasons to put spray foam on the roofline is to avoid having to air seal the attic floor because the attic is connected with the air in the house and indoor air is more humid than outdoor air which can cause moisture problems.
The movement of air into indirect conditioning of an unvented attic is a slow gradual process that will not be noticeable by occupants and typically will not put any strain on the hvac system.
The principle behind soffits is to allow air to circulate in and around the attic.
All insulation materials require proper venting.
In most residential homes the soffit and associated vents is the structural part of the roof that hangs over the side of the home.