Understanding the Anatomy of a Roof
At Elevated Roofing, we are on a mission to help our clients understand as much as possible about the anatomy of a roof. Transparency is important. It’s just one of the ways we build trust.
If you know about the anatomy of a roof and how roofs work, then you will be an informed consumer- whether your roof needs a repair, or you need a roof replacement. You may also be more inclined to make sure to have your annual roof inspected when you understand the anatomy of a roof.
Anatomy of a Roof: Beneath the Shingles
Your roof may seem simple enough, but the anatomy of a roof is more complex than some people realize. When built properly, a roof is composed of layers of different materials that come together to protect your home against the elements.
Anatomy of a Roof: Important Terms
Let’s first go over some definitions of important parts that make up the anatomy of a roof.
- Eave: The eave is the lower border that overhangs the wall of your home.
- Gable: When it comes to roofing, the term “gable” has two definitions. A gable is a type of roof, but the gable is also a part of the anatomy of a roof too. It is the part of the roof that makes a triangle at the end of a building.
- Ridge: A ridge is where the roof comes to a peak by the intersection of two roof planes. A ridge runs horizontally. When looking at the anatomy of a roof, you should not confuse a ridge with a hip. A hip, in the anatomy of a roof, is also where two planes of the roof intersect, but instead of running horizontally, it is at an angle.
- Dormer: The dormer is the structure that projects out through a sloping roof that usually features a window.
- Valley: A valley is the part of the anatomy of a roof where two sloping roofs intersect at an angle. If your home is a rectangle and there are no dormers, the anatomy of your home may not include a valley.
- Flashing: The flashing is the water protection material that is used in areas of the roof where two roof planes intersect or at openings of a roof, such as vents or a chimney.
- Drip Edge: This is the part of the anatomy of a roof that is used at both the rake and the eave to help water drip off the roof without getting backed up into your home through the underside of the roof material.
- Decking: The decking is the part of the anatomy of a roof that is the actual base of the roof. It’s the material that makes up the planes of the roof. It’s made of planks of wood, plywood, or OSB. It’s also known as the sheathing.
- Underlayment: When you look at the anatomy of a roof during installation and see a layer of felt that is saturated with asphalt or a layer of a synthetic barrier attached to the decking of the roof, that is the underlayment. There are various types of underlayment, but the important thing to remember is that is it the critical layer of protection that is attached to the decking.
Anatomy of a Roof: The Layers
Anatomy of a Roof Layer 1: Decking Material
Sitting directly above the rafters, is the roof decking (or sheathing). If your home is older, the sheathing could be constructed from wood planks. In newer roofs, this is made of plywood or OSB. At the start of a roof replacement in Dallas, your team of roofing installers at Elevated Roofing will replace any damaged decking.
Roof decking is required to have a minimum thickness of 7/16″. If your home is older, it may require thicker decking material either to ensure flushness or if the rafters are widely set. Standard sheets of plywood are 4′ x 8′, but we can also cut boards to size when 4′ x 8′ sheets are too large for an area. The IBHS states that the decking “must be attached with 8d ring-shank nails, spaced at 4 inches on center within 4 feet of the roof edges and each side of the ridge.”
Anatomy of a Roof Layer 2: Leak Barriers
After the decking is replaced as needed, your team of roofers from Elevated Roofing will install leak barriers and cover all the decking with a high-quality felt underlayment. These leak barriers will prevent water from getting into the most vulnerable areas of the anatomy of a roof such as the valleys, skylights, vents, and eaves.
Anatomy of a Roof Layer 3: Redirecting Water
Next, your roofing team will install specialized materials to help divert water away from critical areas of the roof such as where a plane meets a vertical surface, around roof features like vents, skylights, and chimneys, or along the edges. This layer of the anatomy of a roof is meant for redirecting water and includes continuous flashing, valley flashing, kickout flashing, jack boots, drip edges, and many other components
Anatomy of a Roof Layer 4: The Top Layer
Next, your roofing team will install the actual roofing material. If installing shingles, they will be nailed securely and properly spaced. Great care is taken to make sure the shingles overlap properly so water can drain easily off your roof.
Along the ridge, a ridge vent is added for proper ventilation. Then, your installer will use a high-grade roofing cement to seal all areas around flashing, vents, and other areas where it may be helpful to seal the area and prevent leaks.
Do You Need a Roof Inspection?
We offer a free no obligation roof inspection within our service area. Contact us today if you’d like to check on the health of the anatomy of your roof.
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