Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects your house – and your family – from rain, wind, and debris. But many homeowners aren’t told much about how their roof works or what the parts that make up a roof are. Knowledge is power, and knowing the parts of a roof structure can help save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to repairs and dealing with roofing contractors.
What Are Roof Parts Called?
Your roof has many different areas, parts, and structures, all of which work together to make your home safe and secure. In this blog we’ll discuss the ridge beams, the valleys, and the gutters.
A ridge beam is a wooden beam that rests horizontally at the apex of the roof, and is used to support the rafters, which lean against it. Its primary function is to ensure that the rafters stay upright and straight.
The roof valley is an area of your roof that forms when two roof areas meet, creating a slope.
The gutters are a part of your roof you’re probably acquainted with, as they can get clogged and may need to be cleaned periodically. Your gutters are designed to protect your roof from water, and they work by diverting the water along their length so it doesn’t pool near your roof or your house’s foundation and cause damage.
Components of a Roof
Your roof is made up of dozens of components. Some of the most important ones to know about are:
- Flashing: Flashing is a thin piece of metal that is used to divert water away from openings on your roof, and it’s usually placed underneath the shingles. The areas of your roof that typically have flashing are the roof edges, any roof penetrations (including vents, chimneys, and skylights), roof valleys, and the side and front walls.
- Roof Vents: Your roof’s vents are an important part of your home’s system. Roofing ventilation is essential to making sure moisture doesn’t build up in your attic, which can lead to mold.
- Underlayment: Roofing underlayment is a material, either felt or synthetic, that’s placed between the roof deck and the shingles. The underlayment is an important part of your roof’s protection of your home, as it provides another layer beneath the shingles to defend against rain, wind, and debris.
- Shingles: Your shingles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements. They come in many different materials, such as clay, slate, or even concrete.
- Decking: The roof decking is what your roof’s shingles are installed on, underneath the underlayment. Decking is made up of wooden boards, either planks or sheets. Your roof’s deck is a crucial part of the roof’s integrity.
We hope this blog made you feel more confident about understanding how your roof works, but if you have any more questions – or if you’d like to schedule a free estimate – call Roofstar Arizona now at (480) 426-1915. We’ll tell you the truth about your roof!