Despite its simple appearance, a roofing system is actually a complex structure made up of different parts that provide protection from water, insulate your home and define the overall shape and design of your dwelling.
Here’s a quick guide to the different parts of a residential roofing system to help you have a better understanding of how the entire roof works as a single component of your home.
Shingles
The topmost layer of the roofing system, the shingles are also the first thing you will see when you look at the roof. Although shingles are too small to cover a large area, they are overlapping to form a single solid barrier.
Flashing
The flashing covers areas of the roofing system, such as the edges where two planes meet. These areas usually have insufficient space on which to put shingles. Flashing strips made of plastic or stainless metal are secured either by nails, screws or adhesive, and then further sealed with waterproof caulking to ensure a waterproof surface.
Underlayment
The underlayment is a layer of felt or polymer film that goes directly underneath the shingles to provide a secondary waterproof barrier; whatever water seeps through the gaps between shingles are stopped by the underlayment.
Sheathing
The sheathing can be considered the base platform of a roofing system. Usually made of wood (although metal options are available), it holds the underlayment and shingles, and acts as the roof’s flat surface.
Fascia
The fascia is found along the edges of the roof and resembles a board that can be up to several inches wide. Apart from keeping water from getting underneath the roof’s edge, the fascia also serves as the attachment point for the home’s gutter system.
Soffit
The soffit is made of lightweight wooden boards or composite that is located on the underside of the roofing system and that overshoots the home’s main structure. Any part of the roof that overhangs will usually be covered by soffit underneath. Some people describe it as an outdoor ceiling.
Learning what makes a roof work means knowing how to take good care of it. Goodrich Roofing has helped countless homeowners by providing roofing products and services in Albuquerque. Call us today at (505) 219-4450, or fill out this contact form to request a free quote.