Every roof is different in terms of size, design and style, but they all share the same essential components. Here are some elements that every roof needs:
- The decking – also called sheathing, the roof deck is made from plywood, usually ½ inch thick, and it serves the purpose of providing a bed for the nails that fix the shingles and of reinforcing the structure;
- The underlay – usually made from felt saturated with asphalt, the underlay is installed between the roof covering and the decking to ensure weather protection;
- The roofing cover – the materials used to cover the roof slopes;
- The roof edge – this element consists of the boards that run on the edges of the roof;
- The roof ridge – this is the straight line at the top of the roof where all the slopes meet. The ridge is usually covered in special components called ridge caps;
- The roof valley – this element is formed where two roof slopes meet in a V shape. Roof valleys are usually reinforced with special pieces of material called flashing;
- The flashing – these are stripes of tin, other metal alloys or rubberized material installed wherever the continuity of the roof is broken, such as around chimneys, skylights, dormers and roof valleys. The flashing serves the purpose of weatherproofing sensitive areas;
- Roof vents – the holes installed at the bottom and edge of the roof serve the purpose of ensuring the proper movement of the air under the roof to prevent roof overheating and condensation.
For additional expert roofing advice, talk to a top Aurora roofing contractor. Eagle Eye Renovations is a licensed and insured exterior and roofing services company with over 20 years of experience providing quality services in Aurora, CO