Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house. It protects you from the sun, rain, snow, and other elements of weather. But, just how well do you know your roof? In this article, our expert Greenville roofers will be talking about the various parts of your roof. Additionally, we will be telling you about the functions of these roof parts.
There are a lot of benefits when you familiarize yourself with the parts of your roof. But the major one is that you will know when the rooftop has a fault and the right time to call your professional roofer in Greenville, SC, for either repair or replacement.
There are many roof parts. But, below are 12 of the most basic elements of a roof:
Rafters are the frames that make up the roof’s skeleton. They usually rest on the ridge at the roof’s top and connect the outside walls at the bottom. Also, they come in pairs and stay at opposite sides of the ridge. Finally, rafters act as support systems to the roof.
Shingles are the first barriers that weather elements contact. Because of this, shingles have to be as tough, sturdy, and weather-resistant as possible. In addition, they are made from a tar-like product that is resistant to rot, making them more durable.
Roofers usually place the underlayment over the roof’s substructure but under the roof’s shingles. This ensures the rooftop is waterproof and, at the same time, insulated against weather conditions. Manufacturers typically make the underlayment with waterproof materials like synthetic sheets and rubber strips.
The main function of the flashing is to prevent water from passing through the openings in the roof. Also, flashing fights against pooling and ponding on the rooftop. It is usually made of materials such as aluminum, plastic, and galvanized steel. You can find flashings in the roof’s valley, vents, skylight, and chimney.
Ridges are technically known as ridge boards. The ridge is the highest point or peak on the roof. It is the horizontal line at the top of the roof that gives the roof its triangle shape.
The valley connects two pitched or sloped roofs at a 90-degree angle. It supports the group’s internal gutter, where water and debris trickle into the external gutter. Because the valley collects water that falls off the roof, you must ensure your roofer chooses the proper installation to avoid leaks.
Insulation is one of the most important parts of the roof. If you have poor roof insulation, you will have excess cold temperature during the winter and excess heat during the summer. Also, terrible insulation causes increased energy bills.
This is the part of the roof that acts as a sheath covering the ends of the rafters. In addition, the fascia acts as a support to the gutter. Many homeowners like it even better if their fascia is aesthetically pleasing, as it adds to the exterior beauty of the building.
A gutter is a type of water discharge system for your building. This is a long basin attached to the eaves of the roof to catch rain and melted snow. It is important to clean your gutters regularly because leaves can clog up the drain and prevent the flow of rain.
The chimney is a vertical structure that extends through the roof to the outside. This structure helps to ventilate your home and get rid of smoke and combustion gases from fireplaces, boilers, and stoves into the atmosphere.
This fixture is both aesthetic and functional. Together with the wall, the roof’s eaves protect the soffit (the part of the roof that connects the gutters to the roof). The soffit’s basic function is protecting the rafters from elements like moisture and mold, thereby granting the roof’s materials longevity.
This is a pipe that runs from the roof to the ground vertically. The pipe is connected to the roof’s gutter and transports the water to a chosen point. PVC, galvanized steel, and plastic are the common materials manufacturers use in making the downspout.
If you need a professional roofer in Greenville, SC, you can contact us at Lanier Roofing and Restoration. We are experts at repairing and replacing both commercial and residential roofs. We provide exceptional services and results to our clients.
Furthermore, we are certified by major shingle manufacturers and have won several awards. These go on to prove that you can trust our results. When you choose us today, you get 100% customer satisfaction, free inspections and estimates, and insurance claim assistance. So, contact us today for your roofing needs.
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