A lot of people think that a roof is just one thing – a roof. But it is actually a roofing system of many components all working together to protect your home. If you are getting close to needing a new roof for your home, it’s important to become familiar with these five elements and how they work together to make sure you’re hiring a roofer that will do a good job.
The Five Components of a Florida Shingle Roof System
- Decking
The decking is the base layer of your roofing system and it consists of either plywood or composite sheeting that is nailed to the roof’s rafters. It is important that your decking has the appropriate thickness because it provides the structural barrier that protects your home against falling limbs and hail. If you allow a leaky roof to go untreated for an extended period of time, the decking is one of the first things to be damaged, which can lead to extra expenses when you finally replace the roof system.
- Underlayment
The underlayment is the next layer of your roofing system. The underlayment is installed on top of the decking and is used to keep the decking dry, which is extremely important when it comes to avoiding leaks and wood rot. The underlayment is usually made of tar paper or wax paper and is the initial waterproofing layer for your home.
- Flashing
The flashing consists of metal strips that reinforce your roof system at roof transitions and key features. Some of the areas where your roof should have flashing metal are at valleys, roof edges, roof-to-wall transitions, and around chimneys, dormers, or skylights.
- Shingles
The shingles are the next layer of your roofing system and the main component that comes to mind when people think about their roof. Shingles are what protects the entire roofing system from the sun, rain, and wind. They are installed to overlap each other so that rain and other debris roll off without penetrating the underlying components. A typical roof will have a row of starter shingles at the edge of the roof, normal shingles on the roof field, and special hip and ridge cap shingles installed at the top of ridges and hips.
- Ventilation
The final component of a Florida roofing system is the ventilation system. The roof should have a row of vents installed along the ridge of the roof to allow heat and moisture to escape from the attic. This is especially important in Florida roofs, where a properly ventilated roof can save you a considerable amount in cooling costs. Proper installation is vital for this component, because a poorly installed vent will either leak or not adequately evacuate excess heat from the attic.
What’s Next?
If you have any questions or would like more information about installing a new roof on your Florida home, please Contact Us today. Perry Roofing Contractors has been helping the great people of North Central Florida with all their roofing needs since 1976. Don’t forget to ask about our financing options. We’re here to help!