Month: November 2022

What Are the Various Components Of A Residential Roofing System?

Roofing involves much more than just what is seen from the outside.

In fact, residential roofing services doing a new installation may need to address multiple issues under the so-called skin of a roof before putting on the exterior materials.

For homeowners to better understand roofing costs and the procedures used by residential roofer services, an explanation of four categories of roofing components will help.

Every reputable residential roof contractor addresses all four of these groups of components with every new installation to ensure the best results.

  1. Structural Components - The base of every roofing installation done by a residential roofing service is its structure and all the components that hold up the roof. This includes the trusses and rafters, roof ridge beam, ceiling joists, and decking. All these components should be inspected before every new installation to ensure there is no damage and that the whole structural system is sound. 
  2. Interior Protective Components - Over the structure, residential roofer services will lay various components to protect them and waterproof these critical parts. A quality, water-resistant, breathable underlayment over the decking is essential. Starter shingles, drip edges, as well as ice and water shields in valleys and corners are also a part of this category of protective components that go on prior to the external materials. 
  3. Exterior Materials - Over the interior protection, residential roof contractors then install the external shingles, tiles, or metal panels as well as any roofing vents required to keep the attic space well-ventilated so the whole system performs as it should. 
  4. Exterior Protective Components - The last group of components installed with every new roof includes items that protect the exterior materials like flashing, seals and boots around vent pipes and other protrusions, soffit and fascia that seal off the interior space, and guttering.

The purpose of understanding these four categories of components and their parts is to help homeowners understand how these parts all work within a roofing system.

When problems arise or residential roofing services must make repairs, that could require much more than just replacing the materials that are seen from the outside.

Damage at the outer-most level can create additional damage to all the other levels. 

Being aware of this can also help to explain the high cost of repairs made by residential roof contractors when the problem lies deeper than just on the surface.

Inspections performed by skilled residential roofer services that can properly detect all damage, inside or out, and do correct repairs and installations are therefore highly essential!

How Often Will a Roof Need Replacing by Roofing Contractors?

A common question posed to roofing contractors is about the longevity of a new roof and how long until it will once again need replacing.

Roofers can offer no single answer to this question, as every type of roof has a different lifespan and projected longevity.

Based on the different types of roofing most commonly used, these are some estimates on how long homeowners can expect a roof to last before needing a roofing replacement.

  • Asphalt Shingles - Asphalt shingles come from roof services in many types and grades, from plain flat 3-tab shingles to premium luxury architectural and dimensional shingles or composite shingles, each with different qualities, features, and durability ratings. Based on this fact, the lifespan for this type of roofing can range from as few as 15 years to as many as 50 years depending on the product. 
  • Wood Shingles - Properly installed by skilled roofing contractors, wood shingles should last 20 to 30 years when properly maintained to stave off moisture damage, warping, and splitting. 
  • Wood Shakes - Thicker than wood shingles, natural wood shakes usually last longer, with a range of 30 to 40 years when receiving proper maintenance. 
  • Metal Roofing - Metal roofs installed by professional roof services can last between 40 and 70 years depending on the thickness of the metal installed. The thicker the gauge installed, the longer the projected lifespan of the roof. 
  • Clay or Cement Tiles - Beautiful and durable, tiles made from natural clay or cement can last an impressive 50 to 100 years when properly cared for, despite their delicate appearance. 
  • Slate Shingles - The most durable and long-lasting roof of them all is natural slate shingles. With an impressive lifespan that extends between 75 and 125 years, beautiful timeless slate is expensive but well worth the money.

While these averages are suggested by roofing materials manufacturers, for any roof installed by roofers to reach its full life expectancy, it must be well-maintained.

Required roofing maintenance differs depending on the materials, the climate, manufacturer requirements, and other individual factors.

Regardless of the type of roof a homeowner chooses, the best way for them to get a full life from any roof is to have it professionally installed by a qualified roofing contractor and then have that contractor come back to handle any necessary maintenance.

To remain in great condition, have roofers perform an inspection every other year or after bad storms, then follow the manufacturer’s maintenance requirements for the materials.