The 5 Most Important Components of a Roof Cover. Your roof cover serves two functions:. The underlayment is a thin black paper that rests on the top of the platform to protect it from ingress of water or air and other external elements. Like the rest of the house, the roof starts as a frame.
The frame is usually constructed of wood. Incorporates joists, reinforcements and beams. Together, these three types of beams form a frame that shapes the roof. The frame must be strong enough to support the weight of the roof.
With a standard asphalt shingle roof, this is not a big concern. But if you plan to use heavier materials, such as tile or slate, you may need to add additional supports at this stage. The first barrier layer of the roof is the underlayment. The underlayment is installed directly on the top of the platform.
First, it forms a barrier between the deck and the shingles that absorbs any resin that may be released by the deck. Secondly, it serves as an additional water barrier in case water passes through the shingles. A lesser-known function of the underlayment is its ability to avoid framing the image. The framing of frames is the result of the expansion and contraction of the panels that make up the platform.
Without the subfloor, the slight movement of the platform could create bumps that would disturb the flat surface of the roof and could prevent adequate water resistance. Many modern underlayment materials also have an additional fire retardant effect, which reduces the speed at which a domestic fire can spread. In some cold climates, roofers can install a special underlayment that acts as a barrier against water and ice. It can help protect against ice dams that form when the bottom layer of accumulated snow melts and refreezes at the edge of the roof.
Some of these underlayments may have special properties, such as being self-adhering and closing around the nails for a tight seal. In cold climates and areas prone to rain and strong hurricane winds, the water and ice barrier could cover the entire roof. In warmer climates, ice and water barriers can still be used in vulnerable roof areas, such as valleys, roof edges, and around roof penetrations. We've covered flicker in detail in a few previous posts, but it's still important to mention it here.
After installing the base, a flashing is installed in areas of the roof that accumulate a lot of water. Valleys, where water from several planes of the roof is directed towards a stream that flows in spurts, are always covered with flashings. A flashing is generally a thin layer of sheet metal that protects a vulnerable joint and draws water away from the area. The “V” cutting angle along the junction of two slopes of a roof, to ensure that the valley is watertight, is covered with flashing, made of a flexible material or metal or, better yet, a combination of the two.
The flashing can be flexible or rigid and is made of galvanized steel, aluminum or plastic. It is a type of sturdy molding that prevents water flowing near roof openings from seeping into the roof. The flashing is found in valleys and in the bases of chimneys, walls, roof vents and pipes. There are extended warranties for roofing systems consisting of a selected set of shingles, eaves, membrane and base layer.
These ambitious and more expensive programs offer long-term coverage (up to 50 years) for both materials and labor. As such, only a manufacturer-certified roofer can perform work covered by such warranties. Certain problems, such as poor roofs or poor attic ventilation, can void a warranty. Therefore, it is important to take corrective action recommended by your contractor before installing shingles.
Attic with mansard windows leaves less room for ceiling lights. As a result, panels that allow greater air intake (i.e. The lower part of the roof does not need ventilation. However, the attic section must be ventilated according to the same standards as those of ordinary attic roofs.
It is possible to add air intake grilles along the base of the top. Some ceilings use trusses instead of beams. The main differences are that armor uses shorter pieces of wood (usually 2 x 4 inches) and are often prefabricated and installed all at once. These are the frames that make up the skeleton of the roof.
They rest on the ridge at the top and connect to the outer walls at the bottom. Traditionally, they come in pairs nailed to opposite sides of the ridge. They have to align perfectly, except in cases where you need to move a beam a little to make room for another component. Nailed to the joists, these flat pieces of wood provide a level surface on which to place the deck.
Veteran roofers consider siding as the foundation of the roofing system. A roofing system is made up of individual components designed to work together to cover and protect a home from the outside elements. The four components that make up a roofing system are shingles, underlayment, starting shingles, and hip and ridge shingles. Its main purpose is to protect your roof covering if water gets under the roofing material (asphalt shingles, metal roof, etc.).
It is a crucial roofing component that every roof should have and is installed at the same time as shingles. They provide the primary support for roof loading and, if done incorrectly, can cause roofs to sag or collapse. However, it is essential that the roof flashing be inspected as part of annual roof maintenance to prevent or detect possible leaks. For the most efficient roofing systems, roofing contractors should use add-on components from a manufacturer that are designed to work together for maximum performance and warranty value, although this is not always the case.
We want to prevent this from happening to you, so let's get to the basics of understanding roofing by learning the 9 main parts of a roof. . .