Roof

A Formal Introduction to Your Roof

Getting to Know You: What You Need to Know About Your Roof

Your property’s roof is a surprisingly complex series of connected structures, each serving a vital function in the overall purpose of protecting your home or commercial facility. Though we will always walk you through whatever problem may have cropped up, having a basic working knowledge of the parts that make up your roof can be extremely helpful as you try to make the best decisions for your roof’s needs.

What You Can See

The parts of your roof that are clearly visible are your property’s first line of defense against the elements.

Your roof’s outer layers consist of:

  • Shingles: Perhaps the single most recognizable aspect of a roof is its shingles. These come in a huge variety of colors, finishes, and materials to suit your style requirements and protect lower layers from rain, wind, and sun.
  • Roof drainage system: This system helps to direct water away from the roof, siding, and foundation to minimize erosion and water damage to these areas as much as possible.
  • Chimneys: Some properties with fireplaces may have a chimney to safely vent heat and smoke out of the home.
  • Flashing: This is a thin material, often galvanized steel, that is used to direct water away from potentially vulnerable parts of the roof. It can frequently be found around seams where roof planes meet, as well as where structures like vents or chimneys connect to the roof.
  • Roof ventilation: These structures ensure that your roof, attic, and/or crawlspace is properly ventilated for both temperature control and keeping moisture to a minimum.
  • Ridges: This is where two planes of the roof meet.

What You Can’t See

As with most things that have an important job to do, there is always more to your roof than meets the eye. Beneath the exterior are many more layers of protection to keep the roof – and the property’s structure as a whole – in good condition.

Your roof’s interior is made up of:

  • Attic: Though you may or may not have an attic with usable space, the part under your roof and above your living space’s ceiling is indeed a part of your roof. Keeping that area properly ventilated not only helps you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the property below, but also serves as another layer of protection against things that grow in warm, damp spaces.
  • Rafters: The rafters make up your roof’s primary structure.
  • Joists: These are beams that run between the rafters as additional support.
  • Decking: This layer of plywood sits between the underlying structures and the shingles as something for the shingles to attach to.
  • Underlayment: A layer of felt saturated with asphalt is placed between the decking and the shingles to act as another layer of environmental protection.

Why Is This Important?

The clearer your understanding is of your roof’s many parts and what function they serve, the more you will be able to recognize problems before they grow. Issues with your roof can quickly become widespread if left unattended, so a fast response can make a huge difference. At Lyons Roofing, we are passionate about ensuring that our customers are well-educated and have the resources they need to make informed decisions about their service.

If you suspect that you may have an issue with your roof, give us a call at (520) 447-2522 today! We’ll be here to help whenever you need us.

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