Planning to install a new roofing system for your Cape Cod home? If yes, the first thing you need to realize is that installing or replacing a roof is not just about laying shingles. Numerous additional roof components make up your home’s roofing system. Knowing these components is compulsory as these play a vibrant role in determining how long your roof will last. Proper functioning of these essential components will make the roof strong which helps it to provide more safety to your family.
As one of the finest roofing contractors on Cape Cod. We think it’s our responsibility to guide our valuable customers on these various roof components. So in this article, we will talk about what each of these parts does and how they work towards making the complete roofing system work in a quality manner. So let’s get started.
In the following section, we will give a brief review of all these important roof components in order.
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Rafters
This might be the first part of your roofing system. These are the very first roof components that the contractor will install in a new roof. Many roof repair companies refer is as the skeleton of the roof. Roof rafters work like support beams that run from the top of your roof to the wall. They play a vital role in laying the foundation of your roof structure.
These rafters are normally made of wood or metal. They can be joined to a truss system or built as part of the rafter itself. The contractor can install them in numerous ways by screw, nail, or bolt considering the material you use for your roofing project. Rafters are typically uncovered to see from inside your house, from the attic; still, you can also cover them with siding.
Read this to know about: 8 Best Siding Choices for a Cape Cod Style Home
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Trusses
Another vital structural part of a roof system is the trusses. The roof trusses are related to customary roof rafters because they also provide support to the other roof components. But these trusses are made in a factory and delivered directly to the construction site. Using prefabricated materials helps in saving both time and money especially if you’re dealing with a small project. Roof trusses are usually made of broad pieces of 2x8s or 2x10s wood. On the other hand, rafters are custom-made on the project site.
Trusses are built in a “stick framing pattern” of chords on the top and bottom. This helps the structure to bear more weight than rafters do. This is another reason these are getting day by day.
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Roof Deck
As you now know, rafters and trusses combine to lay the foundation of your roof structure. On this foundation, the contractor will install the remaining roof components. In simple words, you can describe the roof deck as the primary structural layer of your roof. These are usually made from materials such as plywood or OSB.
It is the beginning step in building an operational roof system. This layer is responsible for confirming that your internal home structure remains safe. This layer also protects against water leaks and keeps other elements stay safely away from your home. To provide all this safety. These roofing decks have to be strong enough to bear the weight of any added roofing components you’ll install. They stop water from getting into your attic through any cracks or expansion joints.
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Roof Underlayment
After installing the roof deck, the next line of roof components is the underlayment. This is a layer that comes in between the roof deck and the roofing shingles. Just like other components underlayment has also a specific purpose. It ensures the water leaks do not seep through the roof and into your attic in case of a damaged shingle.
Roof underlayment generally comes in two materials: Felt and Synthetic underlayment. Felt is an extremely trendy roofing underlayment material that provides additional support to your roof. As a water-resistant membrane, it is planned in a way that keeps moisture away from your home. This helps in the protection of shingles and leaks. However these days, the majority of homeowners also prefer synthetic underlayment, like polypropylene. As synthetic is extra capable and can last much longer.
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Insulation
Insulation is must needed so that the roof can maintain your home’s temperature. Apart from there are many other roof components, you just can’t forget about roof insulation. Having proper insulation also helps in saving energy and money. Every expert roofing contractor on Cape Cod suggests that if you install the insulation properly. You can save up to a minimum of 10-15% on your energy and utility bills. Want to know how? When the temperature inside your home is controllable, you will not need to use ACs as often, which can help you save bucks. Similarly, you also need roof ventilation for your home to manage the temperature even much better.
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Flashing
Flashings are roof components usually made from metal or plastic. They help in keeping the water away from the parts of your roof where it meets walls, chimneys, skylights, and other parts of your home. In case of improper installations or ignoring this important component. Water can seep through and cause rot and mold.
A roofing system may need to have several types of flashings. This relies on what type of materials were used in its construction. For example, metal flashing will generally be placed at the corners of the roof. Somehow different kinds of asphalt shingles could use various metal and plastic flashings along their dimension.
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Drip Edge
You might already get the idea from the word, the drip edge is a kind of metal strip that goes around the edges and attics of the roof structure. Although, it might be the smallest component of a roof. However, having a vented drip edge installation can serve as a vital part of your roof. As every smart person is aware of what problems water seepage can cause all of which are inefficient and disruptive. So in that case, these drip edge keeps water from seeping into the seams between your roof components.
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Fascia
Fascia is simply the board that covers the uppermost of your home’s exterior walls. It vertically goes around the complete length of each side of your house, apart from where windows or doors are. Fascia is added directly to the edge of your roof decking with screws. It is typically made from wood, aluminum, and PVC materials.
The purpose of these roof components is that they provide support to your gutters to keep them in place. When your gutters stay in their place, they work better, controlling the water damage to your home. Fascia boards help in keeping the moisture away and play a part in assisting the roofing materials on the lower edge. They can also improve the exterior look of your home. You can also get the best services of roof ventilation repairing in Massachusetts.
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Soffit
Although the term soffits are often used with fascia, they are not the same. The fascia is the outermost part of your roofing system that comes at the top of the roofline. Whereas the soffit is the innermost part of your roofing that comes underneath the fascia. However, soffit is generally not visible at first glance but still helps in the protection of your home. Well in case you are looking for the service of soffit vent repair in Cape Cod, you are always welcome to rely on the expertise of Corey & Corey the roofers also known as the best roofing contractors on Cape Cod.
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Gutters
Gutters are often-overlooked roof components of your home, they’re as important as any other component for roof protection. Gutters give connection to downspouts, which pass away rainwater from the foundation of your house. Residents do not notice them until you start getting water in the basement or bedroom. It is always recommended to install the best gutter system to avoid such circumstances.
There are numerous types of gutter systems available in Barnstable. You can select the best according to your preference, budget, and house system. However, gutters are mostly classified into two categories; regular and seamless gutter systems. Some widely held ones are box gutter systems, K-shaped and half round gutter systems.
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Shingles
Shingles are the most prominent roof components visible to the outside world. They act as the first line of protection from extreme weather conditions. Meanwhile, as shingles will be the top layer of your roof system, you need to make sure that it looks good and are durable as well.
The most common asphalt shingle roof is made of three parts. At the bottom is a layer of felt paper, which safeguards the roofing materials from water and other elements. The middle layer contains the actual shingles, typically made of asphalt and fiberglass. Finally, the topmost layer is a cap to keep out any moisture that may have penetrated the layers underneath it. Together, these parts will protect your home for years to come.
Here are 3 types of asphalt shingles commonly used by the best roofing contractors on Cape Cod.
- 3-Tab Shingles
- Dimensional Shingles
- Premium Shingles
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Roof Ridge
This component takes the uppermost place on the roof. The roof ridge is the highest point on your roof system. It is a strip that goes around the two ends of the roof. It is made when two horizontal planes meet on a roof. This strip is called a “ridge” because it “ridges” or split up two corners of a building.
Roof ridges have a central job to support the height of the roof. But this is not the only purpose of these roof components. Apart from supporting the roof structure, the ridge serves as an attractive element. The roof replacement companies will always cover this roof peak with a ridge or hip shingle. The manufacturers precisely design the hip and ridge shingles to be bent to conform over ridgelines. This helps deliver long-term durability that’s perfect for wrapping the roof region.
Looking For Best Roofing Contractors on Cape Cod
Now we hope that you are now in a much better spot regarding the roofing basics than you were before. Now that you are much familiar with all these roof components, you can now understand when you hire a roofing contractor for roof installation. This knowledge will help you to put your unique requirement easily and clearly. This will also stop you from being misguided in decision-making.
If you are looking for the best roofing contractors on Cape Cod then don’t forget to contact Corey & Corey the Roofers. We offer all the services related to roofing, be it commercial or residential. Whether you require replacing any of the roof components or need services such as roof repair Cape Cod or roof inspection, we do it all.
We have a combined experience of more than 5 decades in the roofing industry. Contact us today at 508-775-8240 and our team would be happy to answer all your questions.
