What's Under The Shingles Of A Shingle Roof
Shingle roofs are made up of individual shingles that are overlapped to create a water-resistant barrier. They're also composed of several different parts that work together to keep your home protected from the elements. Learn more about some of the parts that are found under a shingle roof in this article.
Roof Deck
The roof deck is the structural foundation of the roof, and it is typically made of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board). The roof deck provides a solid surface for the shingles to be installed on and helps to distribute the weight of the roof evenly across the structure of the building.
Underlayment
The underlayment is a layer of material that is installed on top of the roof deck, directly under the shingles. The underlayment provides an additional layer of protection against water and moisture, helping to keep the roof deck and interior of the building dry.
Common types of underlayment include tar paper, felt paper, and synthetic underlayments.
Ice and Water Shield
An ice and water shield is a special type of underlayment that is designed to protect the roof from water damage caused by ice dams and other weather-related issues. Ice and water shield is typically installed in the valleys and around the perimeter of the roof, where water is most likely to accumulate.
Ridge Cap Shingles
Ridge cap shingles are a special type of shingle that is used to cover the ridge of the roof, where the two sides of the roof meet. Ridge cap shingles help to protect the ridge of the roof from water damage and provide a finished look to the roof.
Flashing
Flashing is a metal or plastic material that is used to prevent water from seeping into the roof at points where the roof meets walls, chimneys, and other penetrations. Flashing keeps water from entering the roof and causing damage to the roof deck and interior of the building.
Ventilation
Ventilation is an important part of a shingle roof, as it helps to regulate the temperature and moisture levels in the attic. Ventilation can help to extend the lifespan of the roof by preventing moisture buildup and reducing the risk of damage from heat and condensation.
Ventilation can be provided by soffit vents, ridge vents, and other types of roof vents.
Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts manage and divert rainwater away from the roof and building structure. Gutters are typically made of metal or plastic and are installed along the edges of the roof to collect and channel rainwater. Downspouts are vertical pipes that are connected to the gutters and are used to direct rainwater away from the building.
For more information about roofing, contact a local company.
Over the years, we have hired numerous contractors to work on our home. We hired drywall hangers to hand drywall in our newly finished basement. We hired painters to paint our upstairs bedroom, and we've had plumbers come fix our pipes more times than we can count. At some point, we became curious, and we wanted to learn more about the world of these contractors. We then spent many months reading and researching the industry before realizing that was not quite enough. We wanted to write about the industry, too! So, that's how this blog got started. We hope it brings you as much knowledge as it has brought us.