When you buy a new roof system in Minnesota, you are buying more than just what you see. There are other parts of the system that you can’t see and they are very important at protecting your home from the weather. It is important that you know the different components of a roof system so that you can ensure you choose the best of everything for your roof.

Here are some of the components and some terms that you should familiarize yourself with when discussing your new roof with your Minnesota roofing contractor:

• Built-up roof – This is a roof that consists of layers of alternating hot-mapped asphalt and roofing felt. The roof is then topped off with a layer of gravel.
• Flashing – This is sheet metal that is used to join the different planes to prevent leakage from the roof.
• Counterflashing – This is the part of the flashing that is overlapped over a single shingle flashing.
• Cornice – The part of the roof you see protruding out from the walls at the side of the house.
• Deck – This is the surface that is usually made of plywood and is the surface in which the roofing materials are applied.
• Drip Edge – This is an L-shaped strip that is installed along the edges of the roof and allows water to drip off of the edges away from the eaves and the siding.
• Fascia – This is the trim board behind the eaves and the gutter.
• Felt – This is also referred to as “tar paper” by roofers in Minnesota and around the U.S. It is usually made of rags, asphalt, or paper.
• Penetrations – Penetrations consists of the chimney, vents, pipes, and stacks that penetrate the deck of the roof.
• Sheathing – The sheathing is the boards that are nailed to the rafters and the outside roofing materials may be secured.
• Rafter – This is a structure that sheathing may be nailed to.
• Shingle flashing – These are the strips that are under each shingle and bent up the edge of the wall or chimney.
• Underlayment – This is the material, usually felt, that is laid upon the sheathing or deck before the shingles are applied.

Other components that you will find are part of the roof include the actual roof covering, which can be shingles, tile, slate, cedar shakes, or another covering; the deck, the roof structure, the flashing, and the drainage system to ensure the water can drain off the roof, which will prevent leaks when done properly.

Talk to your Minnesota roofer about the different components of your roofing system so that you can make sure you have the best all around. You do not want any part of your roof to be of a low quality because this can compromise the rest of your roof. You certainly don’t want this to happen because of the fact your roof is a very large investment. Every part of it works together, so you need to make sure the entire thing is what it should be.