A residential roofing system is crucial not only for the appearance of your home, but also for the comfort and protection of all your living spaces. Finding the best components for the roofing system ensures that you can enjoy optimal energy efficiency, durability, and better curb appeal. Below is a breakdown of all the components that make up a typical residential roofing system.
Trusses
Trusses are what form the foundation of your roof since they offer the most support. They are mostly made from wooden beams, and they are unique depending on the type of house. Trusses provide your roof with additional strength while saving you some costs. Their installation is faster and less expensive when compared to conventional rafters. Most trusses are prefabricated in a factory and later delivered to your home.
Fascia
A roof’s fascia a horizontal bar that’s present below the roof trusses. The fascia provides your gutters with a place to attach to. It provides these gutters with a strong attachment point and ensures that no matter the downpour or precipitation, the gutters won’t fail. A fascia is important to your roof anatomy by ensuring that all the components work together.
Underlayment
Underlayment is applied depending on the shingle materials you choose for your roof. In case you are working with asphalt shingles, an underlayment is essential since it helps protect your home from elements like snow and rain. Underlayment is important for keeping your roof safe even if you lose a few shingles.
Shingles
Upon laying the underlayment, the shingles are the next components on the roof. Some of the different shingle types include:
- Asphalt
- Clay
- Wood
- Slate
Asphalt shingles are the most common options since they are available in lots of textures and colors. The other types are not common because of their added cost and maintenance.
Flashing
A roof’s flashing another important material that’s installed when two different parts of the roof intersect. One of the common places to install flashing is around the base of the chimney. Flashing helps deter leaking and it’s easy to fix when it gets old and begins cracking.
Gutters
Gutters help direct precipitation and rainwater away from the foundation and siding of your home. They are attached to the fascia of your home, and they help ensure that you never encounter any foundation erosion. Gutters also help maintain the look of your lawns because they prevent soil erosion.
Downspouts
These are either vinyl or metal pipes that connect to your gutters to funnel water from your gutter system. They help protect your home from any cracking or soil erosion, thus keeping the basement or foundation of your home dry and nice.
Roof Vents
These are structures made from plastic or metal fins and openings to help ensure that your attic is well ventilated. The most effective roof vents will rise above the roof and have four open sides to help them capture the wind, thus creating a suction effect. For the best ventilation in your attic, there should be a perforated aluminum air inlet at the base of your roof.
Attic
Finally, the attic is a space under your roof. It must have ventilation since it prevents your roofing system from excessive weather conditions like the summer heat and warm air from your house in the winter.
Knowing When to Upgrade
Understanding the components of your home’s roof will allow you to better pinpoint which parts might need repairs or replacing if any problems arise. It can also give you a better idea of which parts can be upgraded to improve your roof’s energy efficiency. If you’re ever in doubt, have a professional roofing company inspect your roof to determine which parts need replacing or upgrading.
