The roof is a very important part of a home. It provides protection for the home and it plays a huge role in its energy efficiency. When something happens to a roof, you may need a repair or replacement. This is when it is essential to understand what the parts of the roof are and their functions. This will help you to identify damage, provide maintenance if possible and better understand any type of professional service your roof needs. This article will review some key components of a roof and their functions so you can get a firmer grasp on what’s going on with your home.
Decking Components
The decking closes and reinforces the roof structure and provides a nail bed for shingles.
Roof Edge (or Eaves Edge)
The roof edge refers to all the boards that run along the edge of the roof.
Attic
This is the space directly below the roof. It must be properly ventilated to protect the roof from excessive heat in the summer and moist air in the winter.
Saddle
The saddle is the structure located behind the higher side of the chimney. It works to divert rainwater to keep it from absorbing into the roof.
Ridge
This is a horizontal line on top of the roof.
Valley
The valley is the V-cut angle that is located along the junction of the two slopes of the roof.
Underlay Membrane
This is a coating made of felt saturated with asphalt or synthetic fabric. It protects the shingles from the resin released by the wood decking and protects the decking from bad weather. It is particularly effective in protecting the roof from ice damming.
Eaves Membrane
This is a protective membrane that goes under the shingles to prevent water infiltration that is caused by ice dams.
Drip Edge
The drip edge is a molding the covers the edge of the roof. It works to reduce the risk of water infiltration.
Roof Vent Components
Roof vents are metal or plastic enclosed structures the feature openings and fins. They function to make sure the roof is properly ventilated.
Deflector
The deflector is a piece of polystyrene or cardboard that is inserted between two rafters. It helps air flow freely near the soffits.
Plumbing Vent
A plumbing vent is a pipe that emerges from the roof to let air into the plumbing system. In doing so, it allows waste waster to flow to the sewer or septic system.
Flashing (Joint Covers)
Flashing is made of galvanized steel, aluminum or plastic. It can be rigid or flexible. It is a resistant molding that keeps water from flowing near openings where it can infiltrate the roof. It is commonly found in valleys at the bases of walls, plumbing vents, roof vents or chimneys.
Shingles
Single components protect the roof from rain and can also add an aesthetic appeal to the house. They are commonly made of fiberglass and asphalt.
Now that you are familiar with the various parts of the roof, you can feel confident troubleshooting, doing maintenance and discussing issues with contractors. Hopefully this will help you get your roofing needs taken care of in a more efficient manner. Call us for your free estimate today!