The idea behind a roof is simple; it covers and protects the house from damage, from the weather and other factors, and directs water from the home and away toward the ground so there is no lasting damage. There is a little more to the process, though, and to the specifics that make roofs what they are and allow them to work so (typically) efficiently.
Don’t Worry, You’re Covered
If you plant to do any work on your roof, you should know its composition, how it works, before undertaking anything. Even if you aren’t the DIY type and hire professionals for that kind of thing, it’s still important and interesting to learn more about what makes a roof function in the way that it does; it could help you to explain problems to the workers or to better tackle an issue yourself!
To begin, consider the obvious. Roofs aren’t simply settled on top of the house’s foundation; they are reliant on the “outside walls, ceiling joists, and interior bearing walls.” Because of this, the roof structure has a more complex system of functioning than you might have assumed. “A typical roof is constructed from a roof truss, covered with roof sheathing, underlayment, and a roof covering on top.” It is also “sheathed in layers of plywood, waterproofing, and shingles” which allow for its strength and direction of precipitation off of the building; the shingles are layered in such a way that makes the runoff easy.
Some parts you may not have been aware of are the battens, sheathing, and underlay. The former (unless the roof is made of asphalt) keeps tiles attached to create a secure overlay. Sheathing is used for a number of purposes, such as ventilation, allowing a place of attachment for fasteners, and strengthening the frame. Underlay is meant to create that waterproof layer, and though it wasn’t previously required to install, it is now a mandatory regulation.
Something to consider in making any adjustments is that there are often regulations in your area that have to be attended to to prevent legal issues. They can be strict, depending on if they are keeping the neighborhood to a certain style, so make sure to look into this before following through with a project.
Design also plays a role in roof structure and how (and how well) it functions. Since the point is to direct water away from the home, valleys, which are created at the corner intersection of two parts of the roof, allow for great dispensation of rain due to its v-shape. A hip is more the opposite, forming a point, though not an inverted one, as with valleys, though they work in a similar way by guiding precipitation down and off the slope. Eaves are installed to allow proper air flow to the attic, if there is one, and overhangs, whose name is self-explanatory, are more design than task-oriented.
Consider contacting the professionals before undertaking any roofing project. For advice, services, or for a free estimate for your roof, get in touch with Cox Roofing today.
Cox Roofing:
Cox Roofing is a full-service, certified roofing contractor providing residential and commercial roofing services to the state of Maryland, with particular focus on Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County and Howard County. We pride ourselves on our personalized service which transforms your property into the residence or business of your dreams. Get in touch for your free estimate today.
