Understanding how your roof works can be a big bonus to any property owner or tenant. It gives you a bit more peace of mind when you’re assessing its condition, and a bit more insight when roofers are explaining what’s gone wrong.
Unfortunately, with all the different parts, it can soon become overwhelming for some people. That’s why, in this post, we’ll list a few of the most important parts of a roof and what they do.
1. Tiles
We’ll start with the simplest and most familiar part of any roof – the tiles or slates. This is the roofing material that acts as a covering for your roof. With the help of nails or other fixings, it makes sure rain runs off the top of your property. Tiles can be made from concrete or clay, while slate is a natural stone.
2. Flashing
Flashing is a thin sheet of material which is fitted around anything that protrudes from the roof plane. Chimneys, vents, dormers and skylights all require flashing around the base to stop water getting in where they join with the roof. Most flashing is made from metal, with lead the most popular and effective option.
3. Ridge & ridge tiles
The ridge of your roof is where two planes meet. This join needs to be covered by ridge tiles to stop anything getting through. Ridge tiles are made from clay, concrete or even slate, though they won’t always match the rest of the roof’s tiles.
4. Guttering
Guttering sits around the perimeter of your roof to catch rainwater as it runs off. Your gutters guide the water down your drainpipes, which stops it running down the walls or getting to your foundations. Most guttering is made from uPVC, though it can also be made from metals like aluminium and cast iron plus timber guttering is still available though in scarce supply.
5. Rafters and decking
Rafters are the wooden beams which sit underneath your roof to provide its structure, with more substantial ridge boards used along the ridges. They’re sometimes topped with decking boards or felt underlay for extra protection.
6. Eaves, fascia and soffit
To provide a full covering for your property, roofs typically have a slight overhang past the walls. This is known as the eaves.
Underneath this overhang, you’ll find the fascia and soffit. These boards work to bridge the gap between the roof and walls, preventing pests and birds from entering while providing support for your gutters.
Speak to our roofing experts
This guide aims to cover some of the basic parts of every roof, so you have a better idea of what’s working or not working on your own property. That said, it would be impossible to explain all the ins and outs of roofing in a blog post of any size.
If you have any more questions or issues, it may be time to get in touch with the experts at DPR Roofing. Operating throughout Barnsley and the surrounding areas, our team of roofing specialists can uncover the problem with your roof and recommend the best course of action with a no-obligation quote.