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All About Roofing: Roof Components | Roofing Materials


No matter what kind of roof you have or want, all roofs are made up of a few basic components.

Structure
The rafters and trusses that support the decking.

Decking/sheathing
The boards or sheet materials fastened to the roof rafters to cover the house.

Underlayment
Sheets of asphalt-saturated material. Used as a second layer of protection for the roof decking.

Roof covering
Shingles, tiles, etc., that protect the decking from weather. This is the first layer of protection for your roof decking.

Drainage
The features of the roof's design such as slope, shape, layout, etc., that determine its ability to shed water.

Flashing
Sheet metal (in most cases) laid into the various joists and valleys of a roof system to prevent water leaks.

Roofing Pitch
Also known as "slope", pitch is the measure of how "steep" a roof is. For example, if a roof is "4 in 12", the roof rises 4 inches for every horizontal run of 12 inches. The pitch of the roof is a big factor in determining the kinds of materials that can be used and the longevity of the roof. Usually, a steeper roof (higher pitch) will last longer due to its better drainage capabilities.

Roof Type
What kind of roofing system you need or can obtain will depend largely on the type of roof currently on your home.


 

Residential Roofing Materials

There are a wide variety of roofing materials that are used on residential buildings in today’s market. Deciding on the roof that is right for you depends on a number of factors, including location, climate, desired look, maintenance and cost. Most roofing products come with a manufacturer's warranty.

Please select your roof type from the list below.
 
Pitched Roof Systems
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Composite shingle Slate
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Shake Tile
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Standing seam metal  
 
Flat Roof Systems
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Built up tar and gravel PVC Membrane
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Modified Bitumen
(Torch Down)
Rubber membrane