A roof is a critical component of a building that protects against rain, snow, sunlight, and extreme temperatures. A good roof is constructed from durable materials that complement a home or business’s overall design aesthetic.
A roof’s framework is composed of rafters or prefabricated trusses. The sheathing is made from plywood or oriented strand board. Click https://www.ellingsonroofing.com/ to learn more.
Plywood is a versatile engineered wood product used in a wide range of construction projects. It is made of thin layers of wood veneers bonded together to create flat sheets that are extremely durable and cost-effective. Different types of plywood have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for various applications. For example, some are designed for load-bearing applications while others are meant to withstand moisture. Choosing the right type of plywood for your project will ensure that it is strong, durable, and long-lasting.
Plywood can be made from many types of wood, but it is most commonly manufactured using softwood species such as pine and fir. It is produced by a process that involves selecting high-quality logs, peeling them, drying them to reduce the moisture content, and gluing them together. The adhesive used is either phenol-formaldehyde (for exterior use) or urea-formaldehyde (for interior use). The glued sheets are then pressed under heat and pressure to form a strong bond. Depending on the type of plywood, it may be labeled with an abbreviation such as CDX, which refers to the two lowest but still great-performing grades of the ply: C and D.
Roofing plywood is generally used in roofs as sheathing and is often installed with shingles or other roofing materials. It has exceptional strength and durability, so it is resistant to bending or sagging under heavy loads. It also resists damage from moisture, making it an excellent choice for roofing projects. Its versatility and cost-effectiveness make it a popular building material.
The type of plywood you choose will depend on your specific needs, such as the amount of moisture exposure and load-bearing requirements. The thickness of the ply will also influence how much weight it can support. In addition to these considerations, you should consider the aesthetic of your finished project.
While solid-wood lumber is more beautiful, plywood has a number of advantages that make it an ideal roofing material. It is a highly durable, water-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing product that is suited to almost any application. Its versatility makes it an excellent roofing option for residential and commercial buildings alike. It is also pliable and can be shaped into curved surfaces, making it a great choice for curved walls and ceilings.
Shingles
A shingle is a thin piece of building material that protects the roof. It’s usually attached in a layered, overlapping pattern of rows and is made of a variety of materials, including wood, asphalt, and slate. The type you choose should reflect aesthetic and design preferences, as well as region-specific performance needs such as algae protection.
A metal step flashing is installed along the eaves of the roof to provide a sealant-adhesion point for the first course of shingles and also offer water-shedding protection at shingle joints or cut-outs. It’s important that it be properly aligned with the eaves to prevent future leaks and to allow for expansion and contraction of the wall and roof.
The next layer is a base sheet of felt. It’s often colored to match the shingle color, and it protects the plywood or vapor barrier from stains and other damage that might result from a rainstorm or other weather event. It’s then topped with a layer of granules, which is a mix of recycled glass and mineral fragments. The granules are coated with a special cement to prevent them from flaking off and to add color.
Once the base sheet and granules are in place, it’s time for the shingle to be assembled. It begins by cutting a rectangular piece of fiberglass mat to the size of the base sheet and wrapping it around it. This binds the layers together, and then it’s coated with coal tar to give it a waterproof coating. The mat and granules are then fed into a press to create the finished product.
Roofing shingles come in a wide range of colors and styles, so you can find the perfect one to complement your home’s architecture and design. You’ll also find that they are available in many different wind resistance ratings, so you can choose the level of protection that meets the standards of your region. When you’re choosing a shingle, be sure to check the manufacturer’s application guidelines and warranties for proper installation. If high winds are a concern, talk to your roofer about the possibility of using an advanced, engineered roof system with an even higher wind rating.
Felt
Felt is a type of roofing underlayment, a thin layer of waterproof material that goes between the roof shingles and the wood of the roof deck. It’s an important step to protecting your home against heavy storms, rain, snow, and even humidity. Without the felt, moisture can get trapped under shingles and cause rot and leaks into your home. Felt keeps water away from the wood, and it also acts as a second line of defense should a shingle come loose during a storm or wind-driven rain.
Whether made of wool, fur, or synthetic fibers, felt is an effective insulator that’s well-suited to many different types of roofing. It also has a long history of use in various cultures, with Tibetans and Mongolians using felt for their yurts, and Central Asian peoples intricately weaving the fabric into beautiful rugs, tapestries, and clothing. Felt is also used as a polishing and buffing material in jewelry and woodworking.
The type of felt you choose for your roof will depend on a few factors, such as cost and environmental impact. Felt is generally more environmentally friendly than synthetics, but it can still have some issues with animal welfare and land use. For example, wool felt comes from animals and may require the exploitation of animals, while synthetic felt is made with caustic chemicals that can damage human skin and pollute surrounding ecosystems.
There are two main types of roofing felt: traditional bitumen sarking and non-bitumen synthetic. Traditional felt is usually made from organic fiberglass with an asphalt coating, while non-bitumen synthetic underlayment is usually made from polypropylene or polyester. Depending on the type you choose, it may contain granules or minerals that improve its strength and durability.
Roofing felt is available in several weight options, which control how much protection it offers and how thick it is. Residential rooftops are typically covered with 15-pound felt, while heavier roofing materials might require 30-pound felt or higher. You can also find self-adhering roofing felt, which doesn’t need nails or other adhesives to install and is more convenient for homeowners.
Underlayment
Roofing underlayment is the layer of material that goes over and underneath the plywood or OSB roof deck before the finish roof cladding (shingles, tile, etc.) is installed. It acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from getting into the home and helps to insulate the roof. There are many different types of underlayment and it is important to understand which ones are appropriate for your region’s weather conditions and roof slope.
While it is possible to install a roof without underlayment, it is unadvisable and extremely harmful. The wood and plywood will rot very quickly, leading to structural water damage. It is also very difficult to keep a roof leak-free without underlayment. Even a small leak can cause serious interior damage in the form of mold, so it is essential to use a heavy duty underlayment that is designed to last.
A popular type of underlayment is felt. Felt is available in two thicknesses or weights, 15-pound and 30-pound. The 30 pound option is recommended as it is thicker and more durable than the 15-pound product. Felt is affordable and may be required by some local building codes, making it a popular choice for new construction projects.
Other types of underlayment include synthetics and rubberized asphalt. These are typically more expensive than felt, but they offer better weather resistance and a longer warranty protection. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements for each underlayment. For instance, fasteners must be used sparingly and the underlayment should be lapped at least 12 inches in each direction. Staples are usually preferred, but in high wind areas and with synthetics, button cap fasteners provide a stronger and more secure seal.
Another important feature to look for in underlayment is its permeability rating, which indicates how well it resists the passage of moisture in vapor form. Generally speaking, the higher the permeability rating is, the more moisture barrier properties the underlayment has. Housewrap, which is often mistaken for underlayment, is not a moisture barrier and should not be used on the roof. It is important for builders to be aware of these differences and ensure that the proper underlayment is being installed on each home.