Like the anatomy of a human, there are different parts of a roof that make it whole. There are many elements that can’t easily be viewed from ground level – sure, we know about shingles, but there is much more to a roof.
Knowing the parts of your structure can make the idea of roof maintenance a breeze. The Destin Roofing team has the Emerald Coast covered when it comes to services – roofing inspections, roof repair and more. And we’re here with everything you need to know about yours!
Roofing Basics: Where Should You Start?
To get to know your roof, you could start by asking questions. You don’t have to get up there and inspect it yourself, but you should step back and give it a look over.
First, ask yourself what shape it is. There are plenty of shapes of roofs, but these are the most common:
- Gable
- Hip
- Pyramid
- Skillion
- Dutch
Once you’ve determined what kind of roof shape you have, then it’s time to figure out what material it’s made of. Tiles made of clay, slate or concrete are the most popular, however metal, wood and even Spanish tile are very popular. In Florida, the most popular kind of roof is asphalt shingles, followed closely by clay tiles and metal.
Now that you have idea of shape and material, let’s get to the inner workings of the roof!
Outer Foundation Of A Roof
Coming back to our human anatomy example, the outer foundation is like the skeletal and muscular systems. The foundation is like the bones and muscles of the roof, keeping it upright through years of weathering. The separate elements include:
- Beam – This is also known as “wall support.” It is the long piece of wood that makes up the support. Think of it like the backbone of the structure.
- Eave – The element that sticks out beyond the face of the wall towards the lower edge. Eaves troughs, also known as gutters, connect to the eaves.
- Fascia – Located below the roof line, it is the element that attaches to the gutters. It also goes hand in hand with the soffit, which covers the underside of the roof.
- Hip – The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloped ends of the roof.
- Ridge – Running the length of the roof, it plays a huge part in connecting the angles. Like putting layers on to stay warm or dry, ridges must be covered by ridge caps to keep water from seeping inside.
Although there are many other parts of the outer foundation, these elements are vital for the outer roof to connect. As the human anatomy connects through many different systems, there is more to the outer system, but there is an inner system that is just as important as well.
Inner Foundation of a Roof
Like the body’s nervous and circulatory systems, the inner foundation of your roof keeps the house protected from all different kinds of damage. A lot of the outer foundation can be categorized here too, since it works hand in hand with these parts. However, these parts focus more on material more than structure.
- Coverage – When it comes to weather protection, especially during hurricane season, coverage is extremely important. When it comes to the right material, refer above to materials commonly used for roofing coverage.
- Decking – Also known as sheathing, this flat surface provides coverage for your home. Typically made with plywood.
- Drainage – It’s not just for your sinks! When it comes to diverting rainfall, the slope, shape and layout is very important to consider so water doesn’t go in the wrong places.
- Drip edge – A piece of either metal, vinyl or plastic that’s nailed to the bottom of the eaves to promote correct water drainage.
Taking Care of Your Roof
Like taking care of your body, your roof needs to be taken care of too. Throughout the seasons of extreme heat and rainfall, your roof goes through a lot while you and your family are inside and comfortable.
Let Destin Roofing be there for you when your roof needs maintenance – contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted roofers!
