Anatomy of a Roof: The Components

The Main Components of Your Roofing System

Ever wonder what makes up a roof? If not, you have come to the right place. Here is a quick guide to the main components of a residential roof so that if you contact a roofer company, you have an idea what they are talking about!

Underlayment

In simple words, the underlayment is a water-resistant layer beneath roofing shingles. This component is the black paper contractors add before the roofing material is laid. The black paper is set over the plywood sheeting to seal the roof from damaging elements such as ice, rain, snow, and other harmful weather elements.

Flashing

Stagnant water creates a mess in your roof that ultimately lead to roof repair services. Fortunately, the flashing (pieces of metal added around features) is added to prevent leaking, such as around a chimney, a skyline, or vents by diverting rainwater from all the places where it might collect. The pieces of metal can be made of galvanized alloys, copper, and stainless steel.

Shingles and Tiles

Sitting atop the underlayment, shingles and tiles make up the outermost part of the roof. Because of this, they bear the full brunt of the weather. Both shingles and tiles can be found in a variety of materials, from concrete to metal or even wood.

There is much more to learn when it comes to roofing. However, by keeping these core components in mind, you can determine roofing issues easily.

Choose a System-Based Roof Contractor

At Horn Brothers Roofing, we believe that a quality roof is more than a bunch of shingles nailed to the roof deck. We take a system-based approach to providing Coloradans a quality and long-lasting roof installation. Don’t play with the protection of your home. We are also dedicated to providing unmatchable craftsmanship to our customers and are certified GAF Certified Roofing Installers. Call us at (303) 274-1111 for more information.