Key Takeaways:
- A roof typically has several layers, each serving a purpose in protecting the building:
- The roof decking is the foundation layer.
- Ice and water shield proof membrane that helps protect against water damage.
- Starter strips, flashing, and underlayment is additional protective measures.
- Shingles or other coverings provide an extra protection layer and can be aesthetically pleasing.
- The number of layers on a roof depends on the type of roofing system and its age – newer roofs usually have fewer layers, while older roofs might have 3-4 layers.
Do you know how many layers go on a roof? It’s an important question to consider regarding the maintenance and longevity of your commercial property. The roof layers protect your house from the elements, including rain, snow, hail, and wind. Each layer serves a purpose in keeping your building safe and secure. In this blog post, Standard Roofing Company will explore the importance of each layer and how many layers should be present on any given roof.
Roof Layers and Their Maintenance
Any conventional shingle roof contains these layers:
Layer 01: The Roof Decking (The Foundation of Your Roof)
The roof deck, also known as sheathing, is the layer placed over the framing and serves as the foundation for everything else. The material used for decking varies, although plywood or OSB sheets are used in most commercial roofs. Other materials include corrugated metal, reinforced concrete, polystyrene, and double tee. The roof deck serves as a nailing surface for the shingles.
Layer 02: Ice and Water Shield
A waterproof membrane is a step up from roofing felts, complete with a polymer-modified bitumen adhesive on the back. The membrane’s adhesive surface helps it to attach to the roof deck and establish a watertight barrier around nail penetrations. Covering a complete roof with ice and water shield will help keep water out of your house, especially if severe winds knock roofing materials off the roof.
Layer 03: Starter Strip
These specialized shingles go throughout the whole perimeter of your commercial roof. They go on after the roof decking but before the underlayment. They aim to seal the edge of your roof, considerably boosting the roof’s capacity to endure strong winds and rain.
Layer 04: Flashing
This is typically made from metal sheet fabrication and helps to prevent water from entering at various points along the roofline, such as around chimneys or skylights. Flashing should also be regularly examined for signs of wear or damage and changed as needed. This helps ensure no water enters your building through any vulnerable spots on your roofline.
Layer 05: Underlayment (Keeping Everything Together)
This felt, also known as rubberized asphalt sheet, adds another layer of protection between the shingles and the roof deck. It reduces blow-offs by helping them lie flat and more evenly. It also keeps wind-driven rain from getting beneath them and damaging your commercial roof structure or interior. In addition, it can help reduce noise from outside sources such as rain or hail. Underlayment should be replaced every 10-15 years, depending on the type used.
Layer 06: Shingles or Other Roof Coverings
The fourth layer is the shingles or roof covering materials such as tile or slate. These serve two purposes – to protect against wind-driven rain and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance for your building exterior design scheme. The type of material used will depend on personal preference and local climate conditions – certain materials are more suitable for cold areas. In contrast, others are better suited for a warm climate.
Asphalt shingles are classified into two types: 3-tab and architectural. 3-tabs are less costly but also less robust, have less wind resistance, and seem “flatter.” Architectural shingles are used in most roof replacements nowadays since they are slightly more expensive than 3-tab and have significantly higher standards and guarantees. Additionally, they should be regularly evaluated for signs of wear or damage and replaced as needed to preserve their protective properties.
Layer 07:Â Ridge Caps
Since standard shingles cannot adequately cover ridges, this customized extra-long shingle is fitted along the ridgeline of a sloping roof. It fits over the gap between these two sides, keeping rain and snow out while allowing hot air to escape. Ridge caps complete the roof’s appearance by forming a firmly sealed junction along the two sides.
How Many Layers Does a Roof Have?
How many layers your roof has depends largely on the type and age of your roofing system. A newer roof might only have two layers—the base layer of wood or plywood sheathing and a top layer of shingles or metal sheeting. An older roof might have three or four layers—a base layer with sheathing below it, followed by one or two more layers of sheeting above it. If you reside in an area with extreme weather conditions (such as high winds), you may find roofs with five or six layers!
How To Maintain These Layers?
No matter what kind of exterior roofing material you use for your commercial roof, maintenance is key for ensuring its longevity and effectiveness against weather elements. Regular inspections should be done at least once every year so that any minor damage can be identified early on before they turn into bigger problems.
Additionally, always check for signs of wear or tear after storms or extreme weather events such as hail or high winds. That way, you’ll know if repairs or replacements need to be done sooner rather than later! Also, remember to clean out gutters regularly so that debris doesn’t collect in them over time which could damage your roof further down the line. You may also need to apply sealants or roofing cement to ensure that all joints are sealed securely.
Ending Note:
Doing research ahead of time can help ensure you have all the materials you need for a successful installation (and a beautiful, finished product!). With proper planning and care, you can rest assured knowing your building is safe and secure beneath its many layers!
Trust Standard Roofing with your roof maintenance in Ardmore, OK. We provide rapid and effective roof repair that will keep your business up and running in no time.
