When you ask a home or business owner what the most important part of the building it, the roof is usually among the top answers. When you ask for a specific part of the roof, you find that most property owners don’t know very much about the workings of a residential roofing system. Why should they when that is what they call our experts for? Here are a few things you should know.
What Is A Residential Roofing Structure Built For?
A residential roofing structure works as the roof’s frame, which is crafted from beams, rafters, or trusses to protect the foundation framework depending on the construction of a home. Usually, roofers use wood as a primary source for the residential roofing structure since it is readily available and long-lasting. It is also more affordable than steel, which is primarily used in commercial roofing jobs.
What Are The Components Of A Residential Roofing System?
The National Roofing Contractors Association is a great source of educational material. We highly recommend taking the time to look through a few of their resources as you can learn a lot about your home or business roofing system. For a residential roofing system, there are five general components you should learn about so that you can easily spot when something is amiss or not operating right.
- Residential Roofing Covering includes the tiles, shingles, and protectant underlay (which is usually metal or slate). As this is the outer layer of the roofing system, it’s easier to see when tiles are wearing or missing. The shingles are the first line of defense as they protect the inner layering from dangers like fire, weather-related disasters, and tree limb breakage.
- Residential Roofing Sheathing is the top part of the roofing system and includes sheet metal or wood boarding that connects to the rafters and covers the framing of the home. Materials vary, but most construction companies and roofers use plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), depending on how much weight a structure needs for the stability of the roofing system.
- Residential Roofing Structural components include the trusses and rafters. These components help the framing add a supportive and durable element to the sheathing metal of wood.
- Residential Roofing Flashing is a material that we install to a home’s joints to protect it from water damage. Flashing is a vital part of a roof’s protective layering, but the slope of the rooftop can greatly affect how it is installed since there are various vents and joists to take into consideration. Some houses also have chimneys, so this protects the exterior elements.
- Residential Roofing Drainage is a protective component that collects water and removes it safely from a home’s exterior. If your drainage system is not performing adequately, water will pool, and ice dams will form. There is also a higher likelihood that your home will suffer from water damage and mold should the residential roofing system fail to work correctly.
North Shore Roofing has been advising customers in the Greater Boston and North Shore area for decades on how best to maintain, repair, or replace the roofing system. For a consultation or inspection, give us a call (978) 977-3816 or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreRoofingMA. We’ll safely and securely help you get the most out of your home’s roof.
