That’s right I called it a system because there’s a lot more to your roof than just shingles. I know most homeowners believe they have received a new roof when they have removed the old shingles and installed new shingles because that’s what their roof company told them they got.
However, there are several different components of your roof and different functions of these components that’s why it’s called a system.
Let’s Take a Look at a Complete Roof System
Your complete roof system is made up of different components with different functions the system is put together in layers with each layer protecting your home in different ways and from different weather elements. I’ll refer to these functions as seal, defend and breathe.
Now let’s examine what I mean by Seal, Defend and Breathe:
Seal:
- Underlayment – there are several different types of underlayments such as #15 and #30 felt paper and synthetic roofing underlayments, all of these underlayments are designed to protect your roof from moisture and damage and provides another level of protection against the elements. These components are also very important because they aid in an asphalt shingle roof assembly to obtain its Class A fire rating.
- Self-adhering membranes such as Ice and Water shield, WeatherLock and StormGuard (depending on the shingle manufacture you’re using) provides a higher level of defense to ice and water. They are usually installed in areas that are vulnerable to ice and water such as along the perimeter over the soffits, eves and in the valleys.
Defend:
- Starter shingles – These shingles are installed along the perimeter of your roof they seal to the first course of shingles and helps secure the shingles and provides higher wind resistance.
- Shingles – this is what everyone sees when they look at their roof and possibly the only component that homeowners consider when they are getting a new roof. There are several different styles, classes, and classifications for shingles so it’s wise to find out as much as you can about the shingle before choosing the color.
- Hip and ridge shingles – These are the shingles that are capped over the roof’s peak and contours they help protect against rain and wind while enhancing the overall look of your roof by giving it a finished look.
Breathe:
- Ventilation – This is a very important part of your roof system because it’s important for your home to breathe. A roof that is properly ventilated will help improve airflow and defend it against heat and moisture damage. Ventilating your roof is also ventilating your attic which includes air intake (soffit vents) and exhaust vents (ridge vent, turbine vents, power vents to mention a few) to help control airflow and help prevent mold, ice dams, and manages attic temperature.
There are also other necessary components of your complete roof system that must be replaced and/or installed when having your roof done. These components are drip edge, pipe flashing, chimney and wall flashing to mention a few. These components are very important because they contribute to you having a tight secure well-protected roof.
Now that I’ve described a complete roof system lets discuss a “Branded” roof system
A “Branded” roof system follows the same design as a complete roof system only a “Branded” roof system will use manufacture specific materials. GAF and Owens Corning (to mention two) are national manufactures and two of the leaders in the roofing materials industry. By using the manufacturer specific products such as; shingles, starter shingles, hip and ridge shingles, synthetic underlayment, ridge vent and self-adhering membranes you will have a complete “Branded” roof system.
You may ask, what makes the “Branded” complete roof system better? The manufacturer has designed and developed these products to work together for the highest level of protection for your home. Whereas discounted similar materials gathered from different manufacturers aren’t designed and developed to work with each other so they won’t deliver the protection to your home as a “Branded” complete roof system will.