Do you know what your roof is made of and how it has been affixed to the top of your house?
On an ordinary day, we do not think about our roof until there is an issue such as a leak.
When your house was built, it was framed into the shape that you see today. On top of the framing or rafters, sheets of plywood are attached which is then referred to as the roof deck. This will be the area that the roofing material such as shingles will be applied, but before the shingles come out, there are some other steps when building a roof.
We all know that water is the mortal enemy of the roof. Roofs are designed to keep water in the form of rain, sleet, hail, and snow away from your home and also designed to withstand wind that can pick up the shingles and render them useless. To help with that, a roof is designed in layers. The layer that goes onto the roof deck is a piece of felt, a thick material that intercepts water that may get past a damaged shingle. Next goes the drip edge, strips of aluminum or galvanized steel that helps block the wind and rain from the edge of the roof surface in addition to helping to maintain a tight seal.
Now it’s time for the shingles. Shingles can come in all colors, sizes, and shapes. They can be made of slate, wood, metal, and even recycled tires. By far the most popular shingles are made of asphalt. These shingles have been used for over a hundred years and are beloved by many because they are easy to install, easy to repair, have a great warranty, and are by far the cheapest option available. These shingles start with a felt mat that is then impregnated with asphalt. Granules are then added to the outer layer that helps to prevent UV light damage as well as giving them their unique look. These shingles are placed on the roof deck over top of the felt layer and nailed to each other and the roof deck. A factory applied adhesive that is heat sensitive then allows the shingles to be further attached to the roof and they become self-sealing with the summers hot sun beaming down on them. A roof is only as good as the sum of its parts. Everything overlaps to work together to resist the weather, shedding water, and resisting wind. If a piece of the roof is compromised, it could mean weather gets into the house causing interior damage.
If you are interested in a quote to see what your roof will cost for replacement, give Greenawalt Roofing a call at 717-898-6000 to schedule an appointment with one of our sales representatives.
WITH GREENAWALT ROOFING, YOU CAN EXPECT AN HONEST ASSESSMENT AND FREE ESTIMATE!