Your roof consists of more than just the shingles. If you are have scheduled a new roofing installation, you need to consider more than just the main roofing material. A roof consists of sheathing, underlayment, and the shingles, as well as soffits, fascia, and flashing. The following can help you understand the other components, beyond the shingles, that may be necessary during your installation.
Underlayment and sheathing
On most roofs, the sheathing consists of plywood. If you have kept your roofing maintenance up to date, have suffered no damage, and are installing a new roof before your previous one has failed, then replacement sheathing is rarely necessary. Even when sheathing replacement is needed, you typically only need to replace those boards that are actually damaged as opposed to the entire roof. On older roofs, tar paper was the most commonly used underlayment over the sheathing. While tar paper or roofing felt is still sometimes used, plastic weather guards are more common today. This is because they provide an optimum waterproof layer beneath the shingles.
Soffits and Fascia
The soffit is the underside part of the roof you can see around the edges. The fascia boards are the outward facing boards along the edges of your roof. Traditionally, these were made of wood. Unfortunately, wood can rot and it needs to be repainted regularly to stay in good repair. Modern fascia and soffits are typically made of metal or vinyl, which are both more durable materials that require little to no maintenance. Just make sure the soffits have vents so moisture doesn't collect on the underside of the roof. These vents should be fitted with screens to keep pests out.
Flashing and Rooftop Appliances
Rooftop appliances refer to anything that protrudes from your roof, whether it's an actual appliance like an HVAC system or a simple vent stack. Flashing is installed around the perimeter of these appliances to create a waterproof barrier along the seam where the shingles meet the appliance. Flashing is also sometimes used at the seam along peaks and valleys, as well as around the chimney. Most flashing is made from aluminum, which can be very durable. Make sure the roofing crew is replacing the flashing at the same time they are installing the new roof.
If you have further questions, contact a roofing installation service in your area. They can walk you through not just your shingle options, but the options you have for the other parts of your roof.
For more information, you will want to contact companies like Able-Warnecke Roofing Inc.
Share1 September 2019
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
