Roofing is the covering of the top of a building to protect against rain, snow, sunlight, and wind. There are many different types of roofs.
The simplest is a shed roof, which has one slope. A gable roof has two slopes and is common in American homes. Tile roofs, made of clay or concrete, add a classic appearance to buildings and are durable. Connect with EZ Roofing of Flagler County for reliable help.
Plywood is a versatile engineered wood product made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneer. Each layer is oriented at an angle to the one below it, providing strength and stability. This unique construction makes it a popular choice for structural applications such as subflooring, walls, roof and floor sheathing, bracing panels, and shear walls.
The wood used for plywood is either softwood or hardwood, depending on the desired strength and appearance of the finished product. It is also possible to make composite plywood, which has a core of solid timber pieces with wood veneers on both sides. This type is more durable than traditional plywood and can withstand more stress and strain.
In addition to its high resistance to water and wind damage, plywood is an ideal material for roofing because it offers great stability and impact resistance. This helps prevent shingles from lifting or tearing off the structure, and it can even reduce the risk of a collapsed roof.
When choosing the right plywood for your project, be sure to carefully examine the sheets for any blemishes or defects that could compromise its durability or structural integrity. Also, look for the plywood’s grading system, which indicates its quality and price. Plywood is graded A, B, C, or D, with A being the highest quality and D the lowest. Choosing the right plywood for your home or commercial building can help ensure that it will stand up to the elements and last for decades.
Oriented strand board (OSB) is another common material that roofers use in their projects. This re-engineered wood is two times stronger than standard plywood and is designed to resist moisture. However, it does not offer the same level of impact resistance as plywood, making it less suitable for certain regions that are prone to hail and severe weather conditions.
Regardless of the type of plywood you choose, it is important to properly install it in your building project. This includes ensuring that it is fully protected against moisture and that it is secured with fasteners that are not too close to the edges. Incorrect installation can lead to delamination, which is when the glue holding the layers of veneer together separates. This can be caused by exposure to moisture, extreme heat, and pressure from nails and screws inserted near the edge of the plywood.
Shingles
The shingles that top the roof of your house add beauty, character and protection to your home. They are a fascinating part of the roofing process, with their own unique structure and manufacturing process. Understanding the basics of shingle installation will help you to speak intelligently with your contractor when discussing the various types of roofing available.
Asphalt shingles are the most common and popular shingle option. They are made from a heavy-weight fiberglass construction with a multi-layered coating. They are designed to be durable and provide a high level of impact resistance. Some shingle manufacturers also offer solar reflective shingles, which reflect the sun’s rays and help reduce the amount of heat a roof absorbs.
Wooden shingles, made from cypress, western red cedar or other species, are a more traditional option. They are usually kiln-dried and may be sawed by machine, quarter-sawn or hand split. The surface may be striped or smooth, a slight roughness from splitting or the ridgeline may be left with a natural butted edge. They are designed to withstand heavy rains and wind.
Each shingle has a unique appearance that enhances your home’s design aesthetic. For example, some shingles are pre-bent to create rolling eaves for cottage style houses or other unique architectural features such as onion roofs and bellow towers. Some shingles are also pre-bent to form a concave curve that complements the look of curved eaves on Tudor Revival homes or Nantucket-style cottages.
All shingles must be installed with proper flashing, which is an additional layer of water-shedding material that helps protect the shingle layer. This is particularly critical where the shingle layer is penetrated, interrupted or meets a wall. This area is often the site of leaks, and can be corrected with the use of ice and water protector membranes or metal flashing.
In addition, shingle flashing should be installed in the valleys of your roof. These are the areas where two shingle courses meet. This is to prevent water from seeping between the shingles and underlayment, which can cause rotting and mold problems.
Underlayment
The underlayment is the base layer of a roof before shingles are applied. It creates a protective barrier that prevents rain, snow and ice from penetrating the roof deck. This is important because water infiltration can lead to a variety of problems including leaks, mold and mildew. Underlayment also protects the interior of the home from water damage and lays the foundation for a strong bond between the roof covering and the roofing structure.
Underlayment is available in a wide variety of materials. Some are more durable than others. Most professional roofers prefer to work with synthetic underlayment. This type of underlayment is made from a synthetic base that is saturated with asphalt and then coated with fiberglass to make it extra durable and tear resistant. Some types of synthetic underlayment are even reinforced with a coarse woven material for added slip resistance. Additionally, these types of underlayments are breathable and help the roof to regulate temperature fluctuations inside the home.
Another popular option for underlayment is felt paper. Felt paper is traditionally used for shingle and metal roofs. It is often used in areas of the roof where water penetration is a concern, such as valleys or around penetrations. However, this type of underlayment is prone to heat degradation and can deteriorate quickly in hot climates or if it becomes exposed to moisture.
Felt underlayment can also be damaged by UV rays. The degradation of this material can cause leaks and other issues with the roof covering. If a roofer is using felt underlayment, it is important to install a rubber or synthetic over it in order to prevent water intrusion and other potential damage.
A rubber or synthetic underlayment is a good choice for any roof, but it’s especially important to use this material in areas with harsh climate conditions. This is because these underlayments are less prone to heat degradation, and they’re also more flexible than other types of underlayment.
While it’s possible to purchase underlayment from large retailers, most professional roofing contractors will supply all accessories for the roof installation and include the cost of underlayment in the installation quote. Some manufacturers, like Malarkey, also offer premium synthetic underlayment products that are a step above the cheap options that you can find in stores.
Flashing
Flashing is a thin sheet of metal that protects the vulnerable areas in a roof and helps prevent long-term water damage. It lies in between the underlayment and the shingles and acts as a barrier to prevent water from seeping through the seams in the roofing material. Flashing is made of a durable metal such as galvanized steel or copper and can be installed in different ways depending on the type of roof.
Flashing can be found around any protrusions that extend through a roof, such as skylights, chimneys and plumbing vents. It is also used in roof valleys, where two slopes of the roof meet. Leaks can occur at these joints and penetrations, so it is important to use proper flashing techniques when installing them.
A professional roofing contractor will know what type of flashing is best suited for a particular roof and weather conditions, and can install it correctly. In general, flashing consists of sheet metal bent into shapes that fit over the joints in a roof. It is then covered with shingle course and then caulked. The metal can be galvanized steel, copper or lead. The choice of flashing material is based on its durability, corrosion resistance and ability to expand and contract with changing exterior temperatures.
One of the most common types of flashing is called step flashing, which consists of pieces of metal that overlap each other in a series of steps, to create a waterproof seal. This is often used at the corners of a roof where it meets a wall. A more durable and attractive option is corner flashing, which consists of a single piece of metal bent into an L-shape. The base of the L is nailed to the roof, while the top is secured to the vertical wall.
Another type of flashing is called apron flashing, which consists of a long strip of metal that covers the joint where the roof meets other surfaces like walls or dormers. This is often used for gutters and other roof protrusions. Other types of flashing include drip edge flashing, which is installed along the edges of a roof to keep water from penetrating the fascia and damaging it.