If your roof is in need of replacement, you are probably weighing the costs of various options. You might even be wondering what would be necessary if you were to take on the roof work yourself. Considering the important role your roof plays in keeping your home safe from outside elements, it is not a project to be taken lightly.
To make sure you replace your old roof with one that has long-lasting integrity, here is a list of the essential materials.
Roof Decking
Also known as sheathing, roof decking is the material that connects your roof to your house. It is the framing for your roof and is the foundation the roof rests upon. Roof decking supports the weight of your roof, and if it’s not constructed properly, serious structural issues could result.
Roof decking is generally made of wood. Plank decking is usually made from wooden boards that are 1 x 6 or 1 x 8. Sheet decking is most often plywood or a plywood composite called oriented strand board (OSB) and comes in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 3/8” to 3/4.”
Roofing Underlayment
Underlayment is a layer of felt or other synthetic material that is placed upon the roof deck under the shingles. It repels moisture and helps to protect against water seeping in.
Ice and Water Shield
An ice and water shield is a rubberized membrane that should be installed underneath your roof’s shingles in order to help prevent ice dams or backed-up meltwater from causing leaks into cracks or gaps under roofing materials.
Asphalt Shingles and Other Roof Coverings
Asphalt is the most common material used for shingles in residential roofs. This is because they are far more affordable than shingles made of other materials and tend to last 20 to 30 years.
There are a few different types of asphalt shingles:
Standard shingles, which are best for mild climates
Laminated shingles, which are more durable and thus suited to areas prone to severe weather
Architectural shingles, which are the most expensive but also offer the most protection
Shingles can also be made from clay, slate, tile, and wood materials. Other roofing materials include metal and solar shingles.
Whichever type of shingle you choose, it can be difficult for inexperienced roofers to install shingles effectively. Poor shingle installation can lead to water damage, which can become incredibly costly.
Ridge Capping
Ridge capping is wood, asphalt, metal, plastic, or slate that covers the ridge of a roof ridge to protect it from weathering. These come in the form of the relatively inexpensive but less resilient wooden batten caps, as well as the more expensive but durable seam metal caps and slate caps.
Roof Vents
Roof vents are sometimes called roof exhaust vents or roof fans. They are designed to release moisture and hot air from the building.
Passive roof vents are relatively inexpensive and rely on the natural convection of hot air to escape through the vent.
Powered roof vents employ a fan to move air out of the building. They are both more effective and more expensive than passive vents.
Roof Flashing
Flashing is material that covers vulnerable places in your roof to prevent leaks from getting into your home. It is usually made from sheet metal but can also be made of aluminum, PVC, or copper.
You must be careful not to confuse flashing with counterflashing, which goes on top of the flashing material to keep it in place and to provide the flashing with a more aesthetically pleasing look.
Drip Edge
A drip edge is a strip of metal or plastic that is installed on the edge of the roof. It keeps water from running off the roof and onto the sides of the building. It is usually made of aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, or vinyl.
If a drip edge is improperly installed, water can run off the roof and collect around the foundation. This can cause damage to the building and the surrounding property.
Contact a Professional Roofing Team Today
As you can see, replacing a roof is a complicated process that requires a lot of specialized knowledge and materials. While it may be tempting to try to save money by replacing your roof on your own, it is usually a task that is best left to the professionals. If you miss any steps or use the wrong materials on your roof, you are likely to make your home vulnerable to water damage, which can cost you far more than a professional roofing job. Furthermore, you run the risk of falling off your home, which can lead to devastating injuries or worse.
If you are in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, contact the roofing repair and installation specialists here at Elite Roofing LLC today and let our experienced contractors take care of your residential or commercial roofing needs.
