Kent Roofing protects homes and businesses from rain, snow, sunlight, wind, and extreme temperatures. It can be constructed from a variety of materials, including metal, tile, slate, and wood.
Be readily available to address any client questions and concerns throughout the project. Communicating regularly, especially about any changes to the timeline, builds trust and sets you apart as a professional.
Roofs protect the interior of a structure from rain, snow, sunlight and wind. They can be built in a wide variety of shapes and forms for structural, economic or aesthetic reasons. The basic roof structure consists of a framework that holds up the roof build-up, which is protected from rain by roofing material such as shingles or sheet metal. In framed buildings, the roof structure may be a series of rafters or a truss system. In other cases, the roof is built of other construction systems such as space frames, barrel vaults and braced domes. In addition to supporting the roof build-up, the roof structure creates a space above the building that can be used for living accommodation, storage, office space and other functions.
Beams (hanging, ridge)
A beam is the main structural piece of a roof that provides support for the roof deck and shingles. Hanging beams are located perpendicular to ceiling joists and reduce the length of the span, while a ridge beam is placed at the peak of the roof and transfers the load from roof rafters to posts or gable end walls. Other common roof beams include collar beams and strutting beams.
The ridge of a roof is the peak or highest point. It’s also the horizontal line that runs across the top of a sloping roof. The ridge supports the roof eaves and can be reinforced with a ridge truss to make it stronger.
Other components of a roof include the eaves and rakes, valleys and gables, and roof vents, gutters and downspouts. The eaves, which are the overhanging edges of the roof, protect against rain and snow while also adding to a house’s appearance. The rakes, which are the sloped edges of a gable roof, add to the asymmetry of the design and allow for easier ventilation.
The rafter is the main horizontal structural piece of the roof that supports the decking and shingles. It’s often made of wood, but other materials such as steel or concrete can be used. Depending on the structure of the roof, the rafter can be exposed or hidden. Other supporting structures include girders, joists and purlins.
Shingles
Shingles are the shingles that you see on a roof. These overlapping tiles come in a variety of styles, shapes and materials that are designed to complement any home. They are laid in courses from the eaves of the roof and can be installed on almost any type of roof. The most common shingle is made from fiberglass mats covered with layers of asphalt and stone granule surfacing. They can be colored to mimic other types of roofing, such as slate, clay or shakes. There are also premium shingles that offer a more distinctive style, and these can be shaped to create architectural effects.
A good roofing contractor will lay a waterproof underlayment before the shingles are applied. This may be a felt paper or other specialty material. In some areas, a self healing membrane is available, which offers better protection for the roof and requires no maintenance. The shingles are attached to the roof deck with nails. In high wind areas, the number of nails used can be increased. When nailing a three tab shingle, it is important to expose five inches of the shingle’s tabs where they meet at the top edge. This will allow the next row of shingles to cover the nails and prevent them from coming loose in windy weather.
Once the underlayment is in place, the roofing professional will lay a course of full-sized shingles starting at the bottom of the roof and working up to the ridge of the roof. These shingles are then covered by a ridge cap board, piece or roll. The shingle’s edges are then sealed with roofing tar.
The best shingle for your roof will depend on the climate conditions where you live. Your local roofing professional can recommend the type of shingle that will be most suitable for your house, your roof slope and your aesthetic preferences.
When installing the shingles, it is important that the roofer follows the manufacturer’s recommended layout for the first few courses (rows) of shingles. A poor pattern will cause shingle joints to be too close together, which can lead to leaks. By understanding the importance of following a certain layout, a roofer can install the shingles quickly and with confidence that each joint will be strong and durable.
Underlayment
A roofing underlayment is a waterproof material that’s laid directly on the roof deck before any other roofing materials are applied. It prevents moisture from absorbing into the wood boards of the roof skeleton or trusses, which can lead to mold and mildew problems, and it offers a secondary layer of protection in case the primary roof covering (like shingles) is damaged.
The underlayment can be made from a variety of materials, including felt, foam, cork and synthetic options. Felt underlayment is one of the oldest roofing underlayment products and typically consists of an organic felt mat or paper saturated with asphalt to provide water resistance. Felt underlayment is inexpensive and relatively easy to install, but it can tear easily and doesn’t offer much sound absorption.
Synthetic underlayments have become more popular in recent years, and they’re typically more lightweight than traditional asphalt-saturated felt. These underlayments are often designed with printed grid lines to make it easier for roofing professionals to cut and install the shingles over them. In addition to the added durability of synthetic underlayments, they sometimes come with other features that make them more attractive to homeowners. For instance, some options feature a printed vapor barrier that helps protect against condensation in the attic.
Foam and cork underlayment are softer underlayment options that offer sound absorption, as well as an additional layer of insulation for the home. These underlayments also help stabilize the joists of the floor system by filling in imperfections, like barely protruding screws and knot holes.
When selecting an underlayment, consider the material’s thickness and its STC and IIC rating. STC ratings measure the amount of sound that’s transmitted through a material, and a higher number means a better ability to absorb sound. IIC ratings, on the other hand, measure the amount of impact noise — like footsteps — that’s absorbed by a material.
Other special considerations when installing underlayment include the location of chimneys, skylights and plumbing vents. For example, chimneys require flashing to be installed around them, and this is typically done by a professional. When installing a skylight, the underlayment can be modified to support the weight of the glass dome. And if your home has plumbing vents, special flashing is required to ensure that air from the attic doesn’t get trapped in the underlayment and cause moisture problems.
Flashing
Flashing is the thin, weather-resistant metal that protects the vulnerable areas of a roof. It seals and directs water away from roof joints, intersections, projections, chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes to prevent leaks that can damage the structure of the home and its interior. Flashing can also be used to waterproof a wall or window where it meets a structure like a door or roof.
A roofing professional can install different types of flashing based on the needs of the project. For example, step flashing is designed to cover a joint where the roof plane meets vertical surfaces such as walls or dormers. This is where most leaks occur in a roof. It is made of multiple pieces of flashing material that are installed in a “stepped” pattern and overlapped to ensure the water can’t seep in through the gap. Alternatively, a roofing professional can use counter flashing to protect the base of walls and penetrations like chimneys that are difficult to waterproof.
There are other types of flashing that are used in specific contexts and environments, such as copper or stainless steel penetration flashings to protect the area where plumbing, electrical, or gas pipes enter a building through the roof. Other specialty flashings include breather vents to reduce condensation and ice dams, frost-proof flashings for cold climates, and roof valley flashings for roof slopes that change direction or are at risk of water infiltration.
A roof flashing system is a critical component of any roof. Without it, rainwater or melting snow can penetrate a roof at seams and joints, causing leaks that can cause serious damage to the roof deck and the underlying structure of the home. A reliable roofing professional can install flashing to protect the roof and the structure below it. Properly installed flashing will protect against water infiltration, prolong the life of your roof, and prevent costly repairs down the line. Keeping your roof free of debris and contacting a professional for any leaks will help to maintain the integrity of your roof system. This will also prevent damage from moisture and other elements that could erode the sheathing or membrane under your roof.