Closer Look at Roofing

Your roof may seem like a simple installation of materials, but that could not be further from the truth. Ask anyone who has had an improperly installed roof, the ramifications can be major.

A roof is actually a complex system of layers, that work together to ensure your home is protect. So, what are the layers?

1)     Roof Deck -  The roof deck, or roof sheathing as its otherwise called, is the layer of wood over the roof frame that provides the base of the roofing. Most homes have plywood sheathing, but in older homes the roof deck has “skipped” sheathing.

2)     Underlayment – The underlayment is the layer that protects the roof deck from leaks. You may have heard of it called “felt”. Felt is a durable, asphaltic paper. American Eagle Roofing usually recommends using synthetic felt, which is a superior underlayment product.

3)     “Ice & Water Shield” – Ice and Water is a roofer’s term for a leak barrier membrane. Ice and Water has a sticky surface that allows the membrane to adhere to the roof deck. Nails placed in ice and water shield are sealed in it’s water tight membrane. While, most commonly, ice and water shield is used around weak roof areas such as valleys and roof penetrations, it can be used on the whole roof deck to ensure a virtually leakproof roof.

4)     Ventilation – It is not commonly known, but a roof needs to breathe. Proper ventilation is an imperative part of the roof system that prevents moisture build up, mold and mildew in the attic. Properly ventilated roof systems can help keep the whole house cool. But, the intake /outtake ventilation requires a special calculation in order to ensure the hot air is pushed through the outtake ventilation. Too much or too little vents can short circuit the system, and cause it to be ineffective. This is why you should always hire an experience roofing contractor to ensure your roof system is installed with the proper amount of ventilation.

5)     Roof Flashings – Roof flashings are thin, often metal pieces of the roof system that helps prevent water from penetrating in weak areas of the roof such as plumbing vents, chimney’s, walls, valleys, and eaves.

6)     Roof Material – The roof material is the final layer of your roof system. Composition shingles, tile, and metal are the most commonly used roofing material, but some older homes still have wood shakes / shingles. TPO and PVC is a roofing material commonly used for flat roofs. Because the roof is a huge part of the home’s aesthetic, special attention is often made to textures and colors of the roof material.

The installation of these layers of roofing is imperative to ensure your roof remains leak free. Selecting a licensed contractor is the most important decision you can make for your roof. American Eagle Roofing is here to help!

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