The 5 Major Components of Your Home's Roof

The roof is one of the most important protective features of your home. But many homeowners don't pay much attention to the roof unless there's a leak or a hole in it. Understanding the components that make up that roof, though, can help you protect it and avoid unnecessary expense. Here's a short guide to the five main elements of most roofs and what homeowners should know about them. 

1. Decking

The decking is a cover for the structural supports that hold up the roof. This cover may be made from a variety of materials, including metal and treated wood. Wood decking is among the most common choices for residential housing. Because it's the most protected of the exterior layers, decking can remain in good condition for a long time. However, because it's also covered by upper layers, damage can stay hidden a long time. 

2. Underlayment

Perhaps the most vital role of a roof is to keep out water and moisture. The underlayment is one of the most important elements that do this. Underlayment is a water resistant barrier placed over the decking or other structural base. It's often made from felt saturated with asphalt or petroleum products for added water resistance. However, modern underlayment may be made of a completely synthetic material. 

Underlayment is rolled out in large, uninterrupted swaths with as few breaks as possible for the best moisture resistance. Many roofs have a more targeted, water-resistant underlayment known as ice and water shield. 

3. Flashing

When your goal is to keep out tiny molecules of water and air, the biggest risk point in any object is where two pieces meet and form a joint. The same occurs on the roof. These joints and other protrusions in the roof (such as chimneys or skylights) are protected by a barrier of flashing. Generally made of metal, flashing is customized to fit specific spaces and moves water away from risky areas. 

4. Shingles

The outermost layer for the majority of the roof is the shingle layer. Shingles are made from a hardy, water-resistant asphalt material to stand up against rain, wind, and debris. You may also opt for tile, metal, or wood. The right product depends on your location and climate, the style of home, your budget, and particular dangers your roof will face. 

As the most exposed roof layer, shingles take the brunt of weather and debris. This means they're the component most likely to need repair and replacement. Their natural lifespan is generally the shortest. Some signs of failing shingles include cracking and warping, broken pieces, and excessive granules falling off the roof. 

5. Gutters

You may not see the gutters as a roof component, but they're a key safety and protection factor. Gutter systems transport rain and melted snow away from the roof, preventing these from pooling longer than necessary. The longer water sits on shingles, the more likely it is to work its way under these and even into the underlayment and decking. 

Roofs in colder climates also need gutters to help prevent freezing and ice dams. As snow melts from higher roof sections, it flows down toward the eaves. However, if it's blocked there by clogged or damaged gutters, it may refreeze and form a dangerous dam. Ice dams are hazardous to shingles, as they push on the material and force water under it. 

Where to Learn More

Are any of these components of your roof in danger or possibly failing? Has it been inspected for damage or wear and tear recently? Could you benefit from improvements in roofing technology in any of these areas?

Get answers to your questions by meeting with the roofing pros at Chapman Construction. For more than a decade, we've aided your friends and neighbors in protecting their home and its valuable roof protection. Call today to learn how we can help you.