The 9 Main Parts Of A Roof

The roof of a house or other building protects against rain, snow, sunlight, and extremes of temperature. It's a complex structure that covers the top of a building and may include a steep or shallow slope, gables, dormers, skylights, chimneys, vents, and other features. It's built in a wide variety of forms for aesthetic, technical, and economic considerations.

A Madison WI Roofer must be durable to withstand assault from wind, hail, snow, and sun. The most common materials for residential roofs are shingles, asphalt shingle, clay tile, and wood shakes. Slate is one of the longest-lived roofing materials, though it's also expensive and labor intensive. Metal roofs are lightweight and durable, but they can be noisy. Synthetic roofs, a relatively new technology, are designed to look like traditional roofing materials but have a longer life span.

Depending on the weather conditions in your area, the construction of your roof, and its maintenance, it should last for 20 to 50 years. The slope of a roof is its pitch, and it's measured in inches per foot of run (the rise of a roof over a distance of a foot). A well-designed roof should shed water quickly to prevent structural damage and mold.

The 9 Main Parts of a Roof

During the build or reroofing process, homeowners are often faced with many decisions. This is especially true for homeowners who have never had a roof before and don't understand how the different components work together. The more knowledge you have about roofing, the easier it will be to make wise choices.

The frame of a roof supports the other components, including the decking and shingles or tiles. The decking is made from boards, typically of plywood or oriented strand board, that are secured to the framing with joists and rafters.

A gable roof has vertical sides that form an "A" shape, and it's been a common form for domestic and commercial buildings in Europe and America since ancient times. A hip roof has sloping sides that meet in the middle, and it's similar to a gable but even more common.

Wooden shakes and shingles are popular roofing materials, but they require frequent maintenance and can rot, moss, and split under certain conditions. They're not suitable for humid areas and wildfire-prone regions. Tile roofs are a more attractive option that's a good choice for luxury homes, and they come in many styles. Clay and concrete tiles are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to insects and fire.

When hiring contractors to repair or install a roof, it's a good idea to check whether they're credentialed by the manufacturer of your chosen roofing material. That way, you can be sure that they've received specific training for installing that product. You should also ask for local references and verify that the contractor has a state license, proof of bonding, a good Better Business Bureau rating, and active certificates of insurance--for liability and workers' compensation. The best way to avoid costly mistakes is to hire a knowledgeable, reputable roofer.