A roof shields a home from the scorching sun, torrential rain, snowfall, and gusty winds. Proper maintenance of your roof prevents sagging and structural damage to the building.

A shingle roof is one covered with shingles, small rectangular pieces that overlap to provide full coverage. However, there is much more to roofing than shingles alone. Contact MT Roofing now!

Plywood is an extremely strong, versatile material that is used in construction. It comprises thin sheets of wood veneers bonded to form a solid sheet. The grain of each layer runs at a 90-degree angle to the next one, creating a strong and stable structure. It is also waterproof and resists bending, making it ideal for roofing sheathing. Plywood comes in various thicknesses and grades, each providing a different performance level.

Choosing the right plywood for your roof depends on your project’s needs, such as load-bearing capability and moisture resistance. Consider the climate in your area and how long you expect your roof to last. A plywood with higher moisture resistance might be better for humid or wet climates.

There are several types of plywood, ranging from three-ply to five-ply and seven-ply sheets. Three-ply sheets are thin and provide little strength, while five-ply plywood is light and strong enough for sheathing a house or roof. Plywood with seven or more plies is thicker but extremely strong and heavy. This type of plywood is often used for structural purposes like framing and building a house.

Plywood’s quality is usually rated by its appearance, as well as its strength and durability. Grade A plywood has a smooth surface suitable for most applications, while grade B and C have visible defects like knots and patches. The lowest-grade plywood, D, has numerous knots and is often reserved for sheathing or other non-visible applications.

The plys of plywood are glued together using a moisture-resistant glue called polyurethane. The plies are then pressed under pressure to create a strong, smooth, and water-resistant surface. The gluing process also increases the longevity of the wood and reduces warping.

Lumber core plywood is made with solid wood strips sandwiched between the layers of veneer, resulting in unparalleled strength and durability. This makes it a good choice for expansive tabletops or long shelving units that require minimal deflection. It also performs better in wet environments than OSB, which tends to swell when it gets wet and takes longer to dry out.

Shingles

Shingles are the visual showpiece of a finished roof, and they’re made from a variety of different materials. Some are designed to look like natural materials, and some have unique structural features that make them suitable for particular types of buildings. Understanding how shingles are made can help you select the best ones for your home or business, and make informed questions for roofing contractors.

Wood shingles are cut from red cedar or pine trees, and then treated with chemical preservatives to prevent damage from sun and wind. Newer wood shingle panels are also rated for fire resistance to meet building codes and regulations. Wood shingles add a rustic, country charm to any house, and they can be used in cottages, Nantucket-style homes and other designs that connect a home with nature.

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle in North America. Originally, coal tar was used to saturate layers of felt to produce a rolled sheet that was then coated with sand or bits of shell. The resulting product was durable and affordable, making it popular with homeowners and large producers such as Sears. In the 1950s, improvements were made to the shape of the shingle and adhesives were added, which helped to reduce problems with the material being subjected to extreme weather conditions.

Another popular type of shingle is the premium or designer shingle, which is manufactured to mimic various styles, from Victorian to old-world and rugged to dramatic. They are often crafted from composite or synthetic materials, which provide better durability and weather resistance than traditional shingle products.

Metal step flashing is installed to protect the area where a roof meets a wall. The pieces of flashing are usually rectangular in shape and are at least 250 mm (10″) long and 50 mm (2″) wider than the face of a shingle being installed. They’re installed with an overlap of at least 125 mm (5″) on each side.

The shingles on your roof are constantly exposed to extreme weather conditions, including high winds, rain and snow. Over time, these elements can weaken and damage the shingles and the areas around them, including the plywood or vapor barrier underneath. To protect these important areas, the shingles should be installed and maintained properly.

Underlayment

An important part of your roofing system, underlayment is a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the roof deck. This helps protect the wood of your roof frame and rafters from rot, mold, and leaks. In addition, it acts as a water-resistant layer to keep shingles and other roof coverings safe from rain, snow, ice, and wind.

Typically made from felt or other materials like paper or sheathing paper, underlayment is installed over the roof deck. It is used to provide a waterproof barrier and to support the work of shingle roof coverings. In many areas, it is required under the roof structure for new construction and reroofing.

Underlayment is a critical element of a roof system, and the type you choose will have significant effects on your home. You should seek a material that meets your needs, follows building codes, and works with the roof-covering materials you plan to install.

The type of underlayment you choose will also impact the installation process. For example, you should avoid pine and fir boards that have resin pockets, as these can react with certain types of roof-covering materials. These reactions can lead to accelerated deterioration and shorten the life of your roof.

Felt underlayment is a popular option for roofing because it offers affordability and good water resistance. However, it tends to break easily during installation, and its volatile compounds lose their effectiveness over time. You should also consider a non-slip double-sided underlayment to make it safer for roofers to walk on.

Synthetic underlayment, made from polypropylene or polyethylene, is more durable than felt and has better tear resistance. It is a bit more expensive than felt but can save you money over the long term. Synthetic underlayment is usually fastened with staples, but in high-wind areas, it may be attached with nails that have plastic caps to resist weather damage to the underlayment.

Some roofing contractors prefer to use rubberized asphalt underlayment for its excellent durability and longevity. It is a bit more expensive than other synthetics but provides added protection under shingles and other roof coverings. Some of these underlayments are even fire-resistant, which is an important consideration for homeowners.

Flashing

Flashing is thin pieces of impervious material that are installed to prevent water leaks at areas where different types of roofing materials or roof components intersect. Without flashing, these areas are prone to leakage that can damage the underlying materials and encourage mold and mildew. Flashing seals these areas and directs rainwater away from the roof structure and into gutters.

There are many different types of flashing, each designed to fulfill a particular purpose or accommodate a specific area. Generally, flashing is made of metal and is bent into place so that it covers the joints or seams between different parts of the roof system. It is often installed in conjunction with the underlayment and shingles.

A common type of flashing is called continuous flashing, which consists of one long strip that runs the entire length of the joint. This type of flashing is usually used in places where dormers meet a roof’s surface and can also be found around protrusions like chimneys and vent pipes. Continuous flashing can have its problems, however, as it’s difficult to flex with the changing exterior temperatures and can break or crack over time.

Another important type of flashing is valley flashing, which is used in places where two sloping roof surfaces meet. Without valley flashing, shingle erosion and roof leaks are almost inevitable. Valley flashing is typically designed in a ‘V’ or ‘W’ shape, which helps it to better channel water and prevent shingle erosion.

Other types of flashing include base flashing, which is used to protect the area where a roof penetration like a chimney or pipe extends through the roof. It is typically a piece of L-shaped metal that’s attached to the roof and overlaps a counter flashing piece, which is secured to the roof penetration. This allows the flashing to flex with changes in exterior temperature without damaging the roof or the wall that it’s protecting.

Other flashing types include sill flashing, which is concealed under doors or windows to prevent water from entering walls; head flashing, which is found at the bottom of a wall or roof intersection and helps to keep moisture out; and kickout flashing, which is used to help protect pipes, cables, supports, and other roof protrusions by directing moisture away from the wall and into weep holes. While it is possible for homeowners to install flashing, doing so can be dangerous and is best left to professional roofers who know how to properly install flashing to prevent water leaks.