Every component of your roofing system is there for a reason. Each part has a design and a purpose that add to the stability and look of the roof.
Intelligent Design Corp. in Maple Grove, Minnesota specializes in installing or replacing parts on your roof. We offer a comprehensive inspection as well as complete roofing repair and replacement for residential and commercial roofs.
Here are the most important roofing components and why they matter.
1. Covering
The covering on your roof performs two functions. First, it is there to give your roof an added layer of protection. Second, the covering adds style and design to the home. Every type of roof covering has its own benefits and features.
Among the most popular coverings are asphalt shingles, metal, tile, and wood materials.
2. Underlayment
The underlayment is a thin black paper that rests on top of the decking to protect it from water or air intrusion and other outside elements.
We recommend installing an additional waterproofing membrane or vapor barrier alongside the underlayment. Doing this gives the underlayment triple resistance and helps ensure a long-lasting roof.
3. Metal Flashing
Flashing protects the roof’s valleys and hips, where water intrusion is most likely to occur.
Flashing is constructed from rust-proof steel. It is designed to tolerate outside weather and provide the highest level of protection from water runoff.
If the metal flashing is worn out or damaged, we need to replace it right away.
4. Ventilation
Ventilation is essential for reducing the humidity and condensation that build up in your home’s attic. Because temperatures can get up to 150 degrees in the hotter months, this is a perfect environment for mold to thrive in.
The heat from an unvented attic can also damage the shingles and siding, and in the winter months, the warmer attic air can cause the snow to melt and refreeze, creating ice accumulation.
It is vital to have an ongoing stream of air that flows from one side of the attic to the other. We install different types of vents depending on your home’s roof design.
One of the most common types of ventilation is ridgeline, where we install a single vent along the topmost ridge of the roof.
5. Insulation
The type of insulation that you use for your roof can be the difference between a highly effective roof and an inefficient one. Proper insulation is critical, and without it, you could be facing a colder home during the winter and hotter temperatures during the summer months, making your energy bills skyrocket and your HVAC work overtime!
High-quality insulation can also help slow down and prevent leaks, inhibit mold growth, and adds value to your home.
If you choose to insulate your roof, you can choose between radiant barriers and traditional insulation. Radiant barriers are made of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum, that reflects radiant heat, which keeps the entire home cool and is efficient enough to replace the need for several feet of thick insulation.
6. Decking
Your decking sits between the frame and the shingles of the roof. The system is made of oriented strand board or plywood and is nailed or screwed down to the roof trusses for a solid foundation that keeps the roofing material in place.
It’s also the load-bearing portion of the entire system, so it needs to be resilient and strong for situations like snow loads and windstorms.
7. Roof Ridge
Put simply, the roof ridge is where the two slopes of the roof meet at the top. It’s perfectly conformed to fit the home’s highest point and uses specialized tiles as a finishing element.
Its purpose serves many functions, including regulating the temperature in the attic and protecting the space where the slopes meet, increasing stability for the structure..
Professional Minneapolis Roofing Company
If you are looking for a professional roofing company in Minneapolis or St. Paul, Minnesota, contact Intelligent Design Corp. We help homeowners remodel their kitchen, bathroom, attic, or basement. We can also help you!
Call us today at 763-315-0745 or message us on our contact page to connect with our team.
