Your residential roof keeps your home and your family safe. It is essential that you know what makes this a reliable protection mechanism for your home. The components that make up a residential roof are by no means complicated, but it’s a good idea for you to know a little more about the structure of your roof. This can aid in better maintenance, lower repair costs, and longevity of your roof.
The Structure Of Your Roof
Let’s begin with what components make up the structure of your roof:
Pitch
The pitch of the roof simply refers to the slope of the roof. In more complicated terms, it is the relationship between the rise of the roof and the horizontal span when the angle of inclination is considered. The pitch of the roof is determined by the frame of the roof, which is made up of rafters and purlins.
Rafters
The rafters are the long, vertical beams that extend from the edge of the roof to the peak of the roof. These structural beams are sloped and carry the load of the roof. Having this part structured correctly is important for the overall strength of your roof. If this part is not built properly, it could lead to dipped or collapsed roofs.
Purlins
Purlins act as additional support for the load of the roof. They are horizontal beams that are placed on top of the vertical beams. This provides further reinforcement and strength to create a rigid frame. In areas where strong winds occur, this is an essential component of a roof. Steel purlins can be used so that plywood decking is not needed. Steel purlins offer even more stabilization than wooden products.
Covering Your Roof
There are quite a few components to the covering of your roof, but we’re going to discuss the main components you should know about.
Underlayment
We could talk about the importance of quality underlayment for ages. Underlayment acts as a barrier of your home, and is also water-resistant. It is applied directly to your roof, and there are various methods and applications that are used for different roofing systems. Acting as a secondary water barrier, underlayment prevents water from getting underneath the decking, or shingles, of your roof.
Decking
Decking is placed on top of the underlayment and is made from a variety of materials. It is made to further reinforce the structure of the roof and provide a nail bed for the shingles.
Shingles
There are multiple styles and colors of shingles that you can choose from, depending on the aesthetic of your home. The type of shingles you choose may also be impacted by the area that you live in. Some shingles fair better than others that are mostly used for a stylized look. For example, metal shingles offer more energy efficiency and are known to have a longer lifespan. However, there are many roof shingle options that you could consider.
Flashing
This forms one of the most important parts of your roofing system. It prevents mold from building and prevents water from getting inside your roof. Flashings are installed around vertical surfaces that cross over with a plane of the roof. Flashings are installed around skylights, roof vents, chimneys, and valleys.
Your Roof’s Edge
This section comes into play when finalizing the entirety of your roof, and aims to prevent water from getting underneath and into your home.
Gutters
Gutters are the canals that direct water away from the roof’s edge. The gutters are connected to the downspouts, which ensure that water is carried away from the roof’s structure.
Drip Edge
The drip edge refers to the molding around the edge of the roof to prevent any water from infiltrating small gaps. Most roofers will suggest this procedure be carried out during installation to ensure the longevity of your entire roofing system. Water can wreak havoc on roofing components if they are not installed in a high-quality manner and, essentially, in connection with one another. It is attached above the underlayment and at the bottom of the roof slope.
Fascia
This may be a strange word you may not have heard of when talking about your roof, but it is another essential component. The fascia is vertical and sits on the exterior part of the roof, near the edge of your home. This is also how the gutters are attached.
Residential Roof Repair And More In South Florida
Whether you’re looking for a roof repair or a roof replacement, AABCO Roofing has you covered – with over 30 years of experience, we are one of the most reputable names in South Florida’s roofing industry. Get in contact with us today for any rooftop maintenance tips you may need.
