4 Important Components of a Roofing System

Your roof consists of different components that form a system and work together to protect your home from the elements. Many people, however, are only familiar with the roofing shingles and other visible components, which don’t represent the entire roof assembly. Renovation Team, your vinyl siding installation company, lists the important components of a roof, apart from the shingle panels.

1. Flashing

What is the primary purpose of flashing? This component reinforces the roof and prevents leaks from the valleys, chimneys and vents by collecting rainwater and redirecting it to the drains or gutters. It also appears as a roll of thin metal that’s resistant to moisture and other weather conditions.

2. Underlayment

Your new roofing system contractor will install your roof underlayment under all the materials to add an extra layer of protection from harsh weather conditions. Underlayments are often made of asphalt-saturated felt, rubberized asphalt or other waterproof materials.

3. Valley

Intersecting sloped roof areas create valleys. These can be found on the primary parts of your roof and where projections break the plane of the main roof. The main function of roof valleys is to create runoff pathways, which will redirect water from the roof planes into a valley trough.

4. Rafter

Rafters support the entire roof. They are installed every one or four feet apart based on the roofing material that you will use. Note that the closer the rafters are placed together, the stronger the base of the roof will be. This, however, still depends on the available material and how the rafters are connected to the walls.

Entrust your roofing project to Renovation Team. We provide roof replacement services to keep your interior cozy and safe through the seasons. Call us today at (314) 200-2228, or fill out our online form to learn more about our products and services. We serve residents of St. Louis and Chesterfield, MO.