Do you need a new roof? Do you understand the basics of how a roof is installed onto a home? If not, the following information should prove to be helpful in assisting you make a buying decision for a new roof. In order to better understand certain terms and definitions, you need to first understand the main functions of a roof.
Look for a Solid Roof Design and Product
A roof is designed to safeguard a home from the outside elements, including the rain, snow, wind, hail, and the sun. Therefore, when choosing a particular roof, you want to make sure you select one that can perform in inclement conditions. It should divert water easily, look relatively stylish, and come with a fairly long-term warranty.
The Underlayment
Before you pick a specific roof type or contact a contractor that offers roofing in Champaign, IL, you need to know the various components that make up a roof. One of the components is the underlayment. The underlayment is the black paper that goes over sheets of plywood before the shingles or tiles are installed. The underlayment is used as a shield against the outdoor elements. The employment of this membrane provides a vapor barrier for a roof, which solidifies its structural integrity.
Flashing
Roofing installations also include the addition of flashings. Flashings refer to the metal pieces on a roof that are used to channel water away from places it can collect, such as valleys and hips. A flashing may be made out of a galvanized alloy, lead coated copper, standard copper, or stainless steel, each of which work just fine.
The Shingles or Tiles
The shingles or tiles on a roof represent its outermost layer. Sitting on top of the underlayment, shingles also provide a barrier against the outdoor elements. While shingles have been used on roofing projects for thousands of years, roofs can also be made of such materials as wood shingles, metal, or even concrete. The trim is also an important roofing component. It is used to safeguard the seams.
All of the aforementioned components are regularly used in roof design, and it is in your best interests to understand the nature of these essential elements.
