To learn how to take better care of your roof, you need to understand what makes it work. The roof isn’t just one single structure, after all; it’s made up of different parts that, as a whole, all play a role in protecting your home. Let Roof Masters explain.
Shingles or Tiles
The shingles or tiles of your roof compose the outermost part of your roof. They comprise what many people call the “roof” as a whole. They sit at the top of the roof’s underlayment and as such act as your home’s first line of defense from sunlight and the elements.
Asphalt shingles and tile remain the most popular roofing choices for residential homes. In recent years, though, slate and metal roofing have been growing in popularity due to their higher elemental resilience and longer life span.
The Underlayment
The underlayment is an unseen part of your roof, but it actually plays a vital role in protecting the rest of the structure from water intrusion. It’s usually a black paper where the shingles rest on and serve as the main waterproofing membrane of your roof.
Our roofing company suggests coupling the underlayment with an extra waterproofing membrane or vapor barrier, especially if your home experiences inclement weather frequently. This extra layer boasts the roof’s water resilience and prevents leaks.
Flashings
The flashings are thin metal strips you can find on the surface of your roof, located on the valleys and hips. While many consider them as auxiliary parts of the roof, they’re actually a necessity because they protect your roof’s most vulnerable parts from water intrusion.
Because the flashings experience more water damage than the rest of the roof’s surface, our roofers suggest you prioritize them when you’re doing your monthly roof inspection. Replace them when they start showing signs of rust or wearing.
Roof Masters offers complete and professional roof services. Give us a call at (888) 889-7551 for more information on our services. Our roofing company serves homeowners throughout Rockville, MD.
