When roofers come to your home, they are going to throw around a lot of confusing terms that may make it hard for you to understand what they are doing. Thankfully, the best roofing companies Cedar Rapids, Iowa has to offer can help you understand these terms and ensure that you aren’t confused. At Lynch Bros. Roofing, we believe in transparency between our customers and us. As a result, we strive to provide you with the kind of excellence that you need to keep your roof as secure as possible for years to come.
Underlayment
This common term is one that roofing companies use to describe the part of your roof that goes underneath of your shingles. This element of your roofing is designed to be as strong as possible to prevent wear and tear and leaks. Typically, you’re going to find your tar paper here, as well as various types of support beams and much more. Each of these elements is carefully balanced before installation to ensure that your roof is durable and to keep your shingles and other aspects from failing.
Drip Edge
Alongside of the edges of your roof, roofers often install an L-shaped piece of metal. They call this strip the drip edge, and it serves a very simple purpose – prevent water from damaging your roof. Typically, it will cause water to flow away not only for your deck, eaves, and siding but also to keep it from hitting near your foundation as well. Often, the drip edge goes out for several inches and is part not only of your roof but your water management system. You may find these on older houses more than new ones.
Fire Rating
All roofing materials utilize a myriad of different fire ratings. These ratings gauge how safe the roof is and whether or not it is likely to be severely damaged by fire. Typically, there are three different classes – A, B, and C. C class is usually the least expensive option but is also the most prone to fire damage. Likewise, class A is the most costly and the most fire-resistant. Go with this option whenever possible to ensure that your roof is as secure as possible and protected from real fire dangers and other risks.
Deck
Also known as the sheathing, this is the part of your roof that takes up the most support. Usually, it is made out of various types of wood – such as plywood or OSB – and helps support your underlayment and the rest of your roof. This element is often the most prone to various types of damage because it is made of the least-strong materials. As a result, it is a good idea to talk to roofing companies who understand how to craft a deck that is as strong as possible while also cutting down on your expenses at the same time.
Flashing
When your roofers talk about flashing, they aren’t revealing a voyeuristic side of their personality. Instead, they are talking about small pieces of metal that they install around the intersections of your roofs and along the joints. These pieces of metal help to protect against water seepage and various types of leaks and other issues. You’ll usually see these items not only around most vertical areas of your roof but also around vent pipes, chimneys, and near valleys. Each provides a high level of protection that is hard to top.
Louvers
The louver is a small device installed to ventilate the space below a roof deck. This item also helps to equalize air temperature and moisture to prevent mold and other types of damage. Usually, you’ll find these items installed lengthwise and crosswise in layers. Each is generally made either out of plywood or OSB. Though you may not see these items on your roof from the outside, the benefits that they provide are significant and should not be ignored. So make sure to talk to a specialist about them before you get started on your project.
Eave
You’ve probably heard the term “eave” a lot in regards to roofs and roofing. However, you may not be confident what this term means and how it varies depending on your needs. Thankfully, the eave is pretty simple to understand – it is the horizontal lower edge of a roof with a slope. So, in essence, it is the lowest part of the roof and where your gutters hang. Many roofing companies start at the eaves and work their way up when doing roofing repairs but may also focus on the opposite direction to achieve the same level of excellence on your roof.
Fascia
The term “fascia” is another one that many homeowners have likely heard over the years. Like eave, it isn’t too difficult to understand. It is the board – a flat one – that is located at the very outer edge of your cornice. The cornice is a decorative area of a roof that hangs beneath the eaves and which provides extra support. Fascia is usually connected to the term “soffit,” which is the underside of your roofing area. This spot is often open but can be closed off, if necessary, to protect your home from issues with pests like bees, wasps, and raccoons trying to nest in the protective shell of a roof.
Ridge
Most people working with roofing companies have at least one ridge on their roof – some may have more than one. This part of the roof is where the top edge of two sloping roof surfaces intersect. Although this area is usually quite strong and capable of withstanding a large amount of damage, there is always a chance that it may wear down because it is often one of the most exposed areas of the roof. As a result, it is a good idea to pay attention to this area when building a roof or when getting repairs to any damage that may develop there.
Let Us Help You Succeed
As you can see, working with the best roofing companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa provides you with a high level of excellence and protection that you can’t get in any other way. When you take the time to understand all of these roofing terms fully, you make sure that you and your roofers are on the same page and that you fully understand everything that they are trying to tell you. So please don’t hesitate to contact us at Lynch Bros. Roofing to learn more. Our experts have years of experience and are willing to help you.