The parts of your roof.

There are many parts and a few layers that separate you from the elements while in your home. Your roof is designed to keep you safe and comfortable. Here is a breakdown of your roofing and the parts that make it up.

Here are the elements that must go into a proper roof:

1. Structure — the roof trusses and joists make up the skeleton of the roof. It must all be able to bear the weight of whatever material you put on top. Concrete or slate tile is much heavier than asphalt shingles and therefore the structure must be designed to handle the weight.
2. Decking —  The roof decking is the roofing material layer between the trusses and joists and the underlayment. Roof decking is usually made of plywood sheets of ½ to ¾ inch in thickness.
 3. Water shield – Typically a water shield (sometimes called ice and water shield) is a peel and stick product that adheres directly to the roof deck. It forms a water-proof barrier where ice or water most often builds up on the eaves edge. This is an optional product that is most useful in colder climates.
 4. Underlayment — The underlayment of a roof is the black paper (sometimes called felt paper) that's laid over the plywood decking in order to seal the roof from damaging elements (snow, rain, ice, etc.).
 5. Roofing Material — The shingles or tiles make up the outermost part of the roof. Sitting atop the underlayment, they form the outermost barrier against the elements. There are literally hundreds of styles, colors and choices for the final layer of your roof, but in general there are five main categories: asphalt shingles (most common), cedar shakes, concrete or ceramic tiles, metal sheeting, and foam.
 6. Flashing — Flashing refers to a thin continuous piece of sheet metal installed to divert water from places where it might collect, such as hips and valleys.
 8. Ventilation — Roofs need to breathe. Ventilation prolongs the life span of your roof.  Adequate ventilation regulates temperature and moisture levels in the attic. Left unchecked, heat and moisture can build up causing damage to rafters, sheathing, shingles, insulation, and raising energy costs. It may also lead to some ugly mold and mildew problems.

The Seven Design Elements of a Roof

 Ridge — This is the highest point or peak of the roof.
 Hip — This is the high point where two adjoining roof sections meet.
 Valley — This is the area of the roof where two slopes meet. These areas receive far more stress as water tends to collect there and require extra protection in the form of sheet metal or flashing to reinforce the area.
 Pitch — This refers to the slope or steepness of the roof. The flatter the pitch, the more water and snow will collect and cause wear and tear.
 Eaves — This refers to the part of the roof that hangs over the rest of the home.
 Gables — These are the triangular portions of the ends of the home, which extend from the eaves to the peak of the roof.
 Dormer — These are the sections of the home that protrude from the roof. They're usually added as a way to bring light into an attic or the upper level of your home.

Abracadabra Roofing serves Roanoke VA and surrounding counties. We endorse the use of GAF roofing products. For a free estimate visit Abracadabra-roofing.com or call 540-977-0045

Roof and Attic Ventilation

         Poor Attic Ventilation Can Ruin Your Insulation, Destroy Your Shingles, and Even Raise Your Energy Bills. An estimated 9 out of 10 homes in North America do not have proper attic ventilation. Why? Because most people are unaware that attic ventilation can impact the longevity of their entire home!
With improper attic ventilation:
 In the summer, attic heat can build in excess of 160°F; the super-heated air eventually travels to living area below.
In the winter, showers, appliances, and cooking vapors can contribute to excess moisture build-up, which eventually soaks attic insulation and reduces its efficiency.
In cold northern climates, ice dams can form on roofs, which may force water back up under shingles and into the home.
These problems can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars due to:
• Premature aging of your roofing system (“fried” shingles)
• Warping, cracking, rotting, or breaking down of wood framing
• Damage to siding, exterior or interior paint, ceilings, and walls
• Roof deck warping
• Buckling of shingles and felt
• Higher energy cost
Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge). The Federal Housing Administration recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation (both intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic space. Proper attic ventilation systems allow a continual flow of outside air through the attic, protecting insulation efficiency and helping lower living space temperatures, which adds to your home’s longevity! Inadequate attic ventilation can often be attributed to homes having little or no intake ventilation.

• Ridge Vents are your best overall value in attic ventilation. They feature low installed cost with superior performance—and they won’t detract from the finished appearance of your roof!
• Power Ventilators (roof or gable mount) are your best overall investment in attic ventilation. While they may cost more to install than other types of ventilation, they remove the greatest volume of hot and/or humid air from your attic, saving you more in energy costs than other types of ventilation.

• Gable mount attic ventilators are a great choice for exhaust ventilation because they are the easiest power vent to install and won’t detract from the appearance of your roof!
• Whole House Fans are smart energy savers for any climate where air conditioning costs are a concern. They allow you to beat the heat by forcing hot air out of your home while bringing in cooler outside air. Whole house fans are an important part of a complete home ventilating system! (Designed for homes over 1,000 square feet.)

Abracadabra Roofing serves Roanoke, VA and surrounding counties
For a free estimate on your roof call 540-977-0045
Abracadabra Roofing endorses GAF brand roofing ventilation systems.