The roof on your house makes up for 40% of the exterior of your whole house.
That means roofing is not something you should neglect while building your house.
On the contrary, the roofing for your home needs special attention.
A sound roofing system will keep your home safe and aesthetic.
But not all roofs are the same.
If you have ever worked with a constructor to build a house, you know roofing is a significant part of building houses.
And the perfect roofing solution differs according to a few factors, including the kind of house you are building.
Not knowing your roofs can get you the shorter end of the stick, especially in contract-based construction services.
Therefore, before you start building your house, you must know everything that goes into building a house, including the roof.
In order to help you choose the best roof for your house, we have compiled this article that contains all you need to know about roofing.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
First of all, you have to know what makes a roof.
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What is a Roof Made of?
Generally speaking, seven materials go into making the roof for your house.
Shingles
When you picture a house, you most likely imagine the roof installed with flat rectangular slabs.
Those are called shingles. They can be made up of a variety of materials. Their primary function is to protect the underlying sheathing from various weathers.
According to Consumer Reports, dark gray asphalt shingle roofs are the most common type of roofing in the United States.
Shingles come in several textures and patterns and are cheaper and easier to install. Depending on the shingles you choose, they can last you around 10 to 30 years.
Sheathing
The sheathing is the board or sheet attached to the rafters covering your home. The sheathing is also sometimes referred to as the deck. A sheathing is usually made of plywood boards or oriented strand boards.
A sheathing serves to strengthen the house’s structure and helps prevent leaks.
Trim
Trim is an exterior element of a house that contributes to moisture protection and curb appeal. Trims also help define the features of your house, creating focal points and adding to the curb appeal.
Trim also helps protect the seam in the roof.
Rafters
The wood or metal structure inside your house that supports the sheathing and shingles is a rafter. You can consider a rafter as the skeleton of your room.
It is a series of structured slope pieces that help give a pyramid-like structure to your roof.
Underlayment
The underlayment is a water-proof paper-like material spread over plywood sheathing to keep the water and snow from getting in. Underlayments are usually made of a membrane and vapor barrier, helping protect the roof from water and air damages.
Flashing
Flashing is the metal or other material sheet installed on the top of the joints of a roof system to prevent water from damaging the roof. Flashing helps seal the corners of the house and provides all-around protection from water and snow damage.
Drainage
Drainage is the feature of a house that allows it to dispose of water. The drainage system is measured using the slope of the roof.
Drainage installation is important, especially for houses in areas that receive heavy rain or snowfall.
Alright, now that we have the basic components of roofing out of the way, let’s take a look at the different types of roofs.
Like we mentioned at the beginning of this content, not all roofs are the same.
What are the Most Common Types of Roofing?
Asphalt, Fiberglass, and Composite Shingles
The most common type of roofing in the United States is shingles. Since shingles are affordable, durable, and easy to install, they are the most preferred roofing type.
There are different varieties of shingles. Some are made of asphalt, some fiberglass, and some composites. Manufacturers also mix fiberglass, asphalt, and composite to produce a range of colorful shingles.
Moreover, shingles can also be classified into architectural and 3-tab types.
Architectural asphalt shingles are what we have all seen and are used to. They are thick rectangular slabs that create a layered, durable texture for your roof.
The 3-tab asphalt shingles are a modern take on the shingles. They are thin and are designed to look like three shingles in one.
3-tab shingles are easier to install and provide a uniform, brick-like pattern to your roof.
Metal Roofing
Next up, we have metal roofing.
While it may look like a moderation iteration of a roof, metal roofing has been around since the 1800s. Metal roofing is especially popular because materials like aluminum and zinc are cheap and can last decades.
Metal roofing can also come in various styles, but in terms of structure, there are two types of metal roofing: shingles and sheets.
Wood Roofing
Wood roofing is another popular choice of roofing that is often seen in Craftsman-style homes. Wood roofings are sandy brown and turn to silver over the years. Wood roofs need a dry climate to sustain and can last up to 50 years under the right circumstances.
Wood roofings are not for everyone. You are better off not using wood roofings in your home if you live in fire-prone areas like California or wet climate areas like the East Coast.
Some of the woods used to make roofings include cedar, redwood, and pine, cedar being the most popular choice.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are famous around the world for efficient roofing solutions. This type of roofing dates back to 5000 years. First originated in China, clay tiles have evolved to come in various shapes, forms, and colors.
Clay tiles are expensive and difficult to install but once installed, they can last longer than most roofing solutions.
You might have come across clay tiles in cities like Southern California and Florida because they are a great match for hot climates.
Slate Roofing
Similar to clay tiles, slate roofing is one of the most durable roofing solutions. They are fire-resistant and can stand their ground in high winds and extreme temperatures.
In terms of options, you have quarried slates or their synthetic alternatives. Synthetic slates are much more affordable and possess most of the same properties as natural slates.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles are some of the most modern roofing solutions. To install solar shingles on your house, you will have to contact a roofer specializing in building-integrated photovoltaics.
Solar shingles are expensive and can last 20-30 years. But, regardless of their price, they are also a great choice because solar shingles can help you save a lot on electricity bills in the long run.
Eco-Shake Roofing
The Eco-Shake is an innovative roofing material composed of 100% recycled materials, post-industrial regrind plastic. The Eco-Shake shingles are similar to wood shake shingles but more robust and long-lasting.
The Eco-Shake has a Class A fire rating and a Class 4 impact rating, which means you remain secured regardless of the weather out there.
The Eco-Shake performs admirably even in extreme weather conditions without cracking or curling. An Eco-Shake roof requires no maintenance and is so durable a 50-year transferable warranty backs it.
The Eco-Shake is an excellent roofing product for all climates and is ideally suited for residential and commercial use.
Eco-shake Shingles are available in five desirable colors, Umber, Teak, Charcoal, Green, and Driftwood, to better replicate a weathered wood shake roof. Custom colors are available.
So, there you have it. These are some of the most common and dependable roofing solutions in the United States.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the things you need to do before installing a roof:
What to Do Before Installing a Roof?
Choose the Right Material
The first and foremost thing you need to do before installing a roof is select the right material for your roof. You can take into account the structure of your house, the climate conditions in your area, as well as the price, lifespan, and appearance of the available materials.
Peel off or Layer on?
If you are renovating your old roof, this is for you. You can choose to peel off the old shingles before installing the new ones, or you can choose to layer them on. Keep in mind that the government does not allow more than two shingles layers on the roof.
Moreover, the second layer of shingles might also put extra stress on your roof. So, we suggest you peel off the old shingles before installing the new ones.
Consider Ventilation
A proper ventilation system is imperative for a successful roofing solution. Make sure your roof is getting enough airflow, so it remains resistant to mold and fungus.
Besides the main ventilator in your roof, you can check your roof for the following things to ensure the airflow:
- A gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor to protect the house from heat gain and loss.
- A vapor barrier under the insulation to restrict moisture and keep it from reaching the attic.
- Ample open spaces to let the air in and out freely.
Find the Right Roofing Contractors
The roofing industry is large, with hundreds of quality roofing providers in the market. Unfortunately, finding the right contractors for your job is not quite easy. Before choosing a roofing contractor, consider asking the following questions:
- Are they licensed and qualified for the job?
- What are their years of experience?
- Have they delivered quality work to their previous clients? (we suggest checking out their portfolio)
- What other services do they offer?
Conclusion
We hope this article helped clear some doubts and questions about roofing. Your roof is one of the most significant parts of your house, so make sure to get the best roofing solution you can.
Not to mention, look for a solution that lasts you years because the roof is not something you can or should replace every year. Also, a long-lasting roof will go a long way to ease your Sarasota home inspection experience.
If you are in the market for some high-quality roofing solution that comes with decades of warranty, check out our Ecko-Shock roofing solution.
Made of 100% recycled composite, Ecko-Shake roofs can last you 50 years with a warranty.
What’s more? Ecko-Shake roofs are fire and disaster-proof, which means you can rest assured that you and your family are safe, regardless of harsh weather and extreme temperatures.
