Learn About Your Roof
The obvious reason a roof is installed is to protect a home from weather damage. But did you also realize a roof makes up from 25% to 60% of the overall "look" of a home?
There are four basic components that make up a roof. Move your mouse over the diagram for more information.
Shingles
Many people think shingles provide waterproofing for a roof, but in fact they don’t. The shingles’ job is to protect the felt from the elements. In addition, shingles also add aesthetic value to the home. There are three primary types of shingles used in residential roofing: composition shingles, wood shake shingles, and tile shingles.
Felt
Often called “tar paper”, this material waterproofs the roof. Felt comes in two thicknesses – 15# and 30#. Generally, felt is only three feet wide, so it is overlapped about 2” during installation to prevent water from seeping between the cracks.
Decking
These boards or sheet material are fastened to the roof rafters to cover the house. The pitch (slope) of a roof can vary from 8 degrees to over 75 degrees. Most homes are sloped between 15 and 45 degrees. The decking must be sound to support the weight of the shingles and of people who occasionally walk on the roof. The rafters also must be sound to prevent the decking from warping or creating pockets where water can accumulate.
Metal Edge, Metal Valley and Flashings
These products are necessary to protect the decking and heavy drainage areas. Metal edge is placed on the edge of all decking ends. This is done to protect the edges which are not covered by felt but are susceptible to moisture. Metal valley is placed at the intersection of two different roof sections, to allow water to collect and drain from the roof. Flashing diverts water from different intrusions in a roof like vent pipes, chimneys, etc. onto the felt.
