If you are in the market for a new roof, or perhaps you just need to get some basic roof repairs in Conroe, TX, the best thing to do is to hire a roofing contractor. If you don’t have any idea what’s happening up there on the roof, you might end up with a contractor that tries to take advantage of that lack of knowledge. Before you call for bids on your roofing project, take some time to get to know your roof. Here are some common roofing terms you should know.
Deck, Felt, and Underlayment
The “deck” of the roof (sometimes called sheathing) is the term used for the surface that is under the shingles. Usually this is made of plywood or a similar type of board, and it’s where your roofer in Conroe will attach the roofing materials. The felt or underlayment is a thin sheet installed on top of the deck for additional protection to prevent leaks.
Penetrations and Flashing
This is a term used to refer to anything that might stick out of your roofing in Conroe, including skylights, vents, chimneys, and more. Flashing is a metal piece installed around the edges of the penetrations to prevent any water runoff from getting under the shingles and into your attic. Since the penetrations are the areas most likely to spring a leak, having flashing that is in good repair (not rusted or damaged) is critical to prevent leaks.
Slope and Square
Measuring your roof requires a little bit of industry knowledge as well. Roofing contractors will generally talk about two different things: the slope of your roof, and the square. Slope is a measurement of how many inches a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. A roof with a 5-inch increase for every 12 horizontal inches, for example, is termed a “5-in-12” slope. The term “square” is used to describe the common measurement of roofing area—it’s the equivalent of 10 feet by 10 feet, or about 100 square feet of space.
To find out more about installing a new roof, or get any questions answered about the roofing process, talk to a knowledgeable roofing contractor in Conroe, TX today.
