Since roofing is one of the crucial components of your house, you must ensure that yours functions effectively. Therefore, ensure you know how to identify roofing problems that may require a roof repair and the recommended remedies. Also, since roofing materials determine the durability of a roof, your chosen material should meet your roofing needs.
Some of these requirements may seem challenging if you are a first-time homeowner, but with the right information, you can easily choose the best roofing material for your home and keep it in good condition for years.
This article answers the questions you may have about roofing.
How Long Should a Roof Last?
Since roofs come in different materials and quality levels, the life expectancy of a roof depends on the material chosen and its quality level. For example, a homeowner who chooses a metal roof should expect a longer lifespan than another who chooses asphalt shingles. Our roofing specialists can assist you in making the right choice.
Likewise, since a roof’s gauge also determines its durability and resistance to damage by elements, a homeowner who chooses a lower gauge enjoys a longer roof lifespan than the one who chooses a higher gauge.
What Is a Roof Made Of?
The following components make up a roof:
- Rafters: Rafters are the metal or wood structure that holds the sheathing and shingles.
- Sheathing: Also known as the deck, sheathing is the sheet material attached to the joints and trusses to help distribute weight. Well-installed sheathing prevents the roof from sagging due to the weight of snow.
- Shingles: Shingles are the outermost layer of a roofing system that you see from the outside. You can choose your preferred shingles from various materials, including asphalt shingles, metal, slate, clay tiles, and many more.
- Trim: Trim is the vertical roof trim that protects the seam along a roof’s ridge or hip.
- Flashing: Flashing is the thin and flat material installed on top of joints to prevent water from leaking into your roofing system. The material is made of metals like aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, or stainless steel.
- Underlayment: Underlayment is the water-resistant material between the sheathing and the shingles — the material offers your home’s interior additional protection against the elements.
What Roof Designs Can You Choose From?
The variety of roof styles is wide. Some common designs you can choose when installing or replacing a roof include the following.
Gabled Style
Gable is a roof design with two slopes sliding toward walls, and the other two sides are walls extending from the eaves to the peak of the roof’s ridge. This design is a perfect choice if you want fast and efficient roofing. However, due to its vulnerability to strong winds, this design is unsuitable for hurricane and tornado-prone areas.
Hipped Style
Unlike the gabled style, all sides on hipped roofs slope towards the wall, and all the walls sit under the roof’s eaves. Unlike gabled roofs, this style can withstand high winds. However, the style requires advanced roofing skills.
Flat Roof
A flat roof is a design that looks almost level to the naked eye. This roofing style is common in commercial buildings because the design minimizes cooling and heating requirements. Since this roof has the lowest slope, it’s one of the cheapest options available.
Gablet Style
This roofing style combines hipped and gable styles, mostly a gabled roof on top of a hipped roof. This style improves your roof’s aesthetics as you can add decorative designs and colors.
Knowing more about the components that make up your home can help you maintain it better. The information above will help you understand your roof better for easier choice of materials and designs and better roof inspections.
Contact Us Today!
Old Line Roofing & Solar knows high-quality roof replacement. We have been installing roofing across the Northeast for over 30 years. We have grown to become one of the largest providers of roofing services in Maryland.
If you are looking for a solar roof, we use the highest quality equipment and well-trained technicians. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you with your solar roofing needs.
At Old Line Roofing & Solar, we value customer satisfaction and quality workmanship. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or give us a call at 410-769-3735.