Building a solid roof on your house is more involved and complex than what you see from the outside. Your roof system consists of layers and components that all work together to keep your home safe and dry. So, what’s beyond the shingles you see from the road? Let’s take a closer look at the layers of a roofing system.
Your Roofing System, Layer by Layer
Your roofing system starts with the roof decking. This bottom layer is basically the floor of your roof, usually made from large sheets of plywood or engineered wood called OSB, which are nailed down to the wooden rafters or trusses of your home. This first wood layer is the base that everything else sits upon and gives your roof its initial strength.
What Does a Roofing System Consist of?
Underlayment made from a tough fabric or felt material is installed on top of the wooden decking. This material is the initial barrier against the elements for your roof and home. This underlayment provides protection if the roof shingles fail in some way.
If the shingles become damaged, blow off, or get torn and expose the underlayment, your home structure can endure and remain dry thanks to this underlayment. High winds, hail, animals, and age can all contribute to shingle failure. A proper underlayment is essential to preventing a serious issue if any of this happens.
Flashing Guides Moisture
Flashing is a roof’s friend. Often made of thin steel, copper, or aluminum, flashing is installed in challenging or vulnerable locations on your roof where shingles meet a chimney, a skylight, vents, or another section of the roof that creates a valley. Well-installed flashing creates a seal in these areas to prevent water pooling and leaking. This area needs to be positioned properly to make sure moisture gets directed away from your home.
What is the Best Venting System for a Roof?
Ventilation tends to get forgotten as a vital part of a roof’s substantial configuration. Proper airflow under your roof is actually pretty critical to the health of your roof, your home, and your family. Different kinds of vents are available, like ridge vents along the top, soffit vents under the eaves, and box vents will let hot, humid air escape from your attic.
This ventilation process, from the correct placement of vents, stops moisture from building up under the roof structure and in your home. This prevents mold, rot, ice dams, and can even make your shingles last longer. Good ventilation also helps keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Ventilation is the crowning factor in a good roofing structure.
What is a Complete Roofing System?
So, while you might only see the shingles, a complete roofing system is a well-thought-out combination of these different components, all working together to protect your home from whatever the elements throw at it. Proper installation, correct components, and appropriate sealers bring a roofing system to your home that will last a long time while providing you and your family a safe space to call home.
Your Local Austin, TX Roofing Professionals
We strive to bring you the best in roofing for the Austin, Texas area. We deliver decades of roofing experience, training, and knowledge in this area’s needs. We are a prominent roofing company in residential roof repair and roof replacement. We will not ask for a deposit on labor or materials as a dependable way to stand out from the competition while bringing you the best product and service in Austin.
When we inspect, install, or repair your roof, we want to provide you with the best options for your roof design, components, and ventilation. We are Master Elite Contractors bringing you the latest in roofing technology, and a member of our local area Better Business Bureau, so you know we take pride in our work and our community.
Contact us by phone or email to schedule your FREE roofing inspection and quote today.
