When you look at your roof, you probably pay the most attention to the shingles. While shingles are one of the most important parts of your roofing system, they aren’t the only part. Another essential part of the roofing system is the roof flashing.
What is the roof flashing, and why is it important?
A roof flashing is a metal or plastic piece that is used to prevent water from leaking into your home. It does this by preventing water from getting past the edge of your roof, where it can be trapped underneath the shingles and cause leaks.
Roof flashing is important because it keeps moisture from leaking through your roof and damaging your house. Roof flashing can be made out of many different materials, including aluminum and copper.
What Does Flashing Protect?
The purpose of flashing on a roof is to protect the framing and sheathing from water damage. Because the flashing runs around the perimeter of your roof, it provides a barrier between the wood and whatever’s underneath it. So, if you have shingles on your roof, then there will be shingles under that flashing. The flashing prevents water from getting in between those two layers.
Flashing is basically a piece of metal or other material that extends over the edge of something like a window or door frame. It’s usually made out of metal or plastic and is designed to keep moisture away from the structure underneath it.
What Are the Different Types Of Roof Flashing?
There are many different types of roof flashing. Each type has its own characteristics and purpose, which is why it’s important to know the difference between them.
The most common types of roof flashing include:
● Roof Vent Flashing: This type of flashing is used to prevent water from entering the attic through vents or other openings in your roof. It also helps prevent leaks around vent pipes, chimneys and skylights.
● Ridge Flashing: Ridge flashing protects your home from water damage caused by rain or snowmelt when it flows down the roof ridge and into your home. It also helps prevent leaks at the junction between two roof planes or a gable end.
● Flashing Under Shingles: This type of flashing provides protection for areas where shingles meet walls or chimneys, preventing moisture from entering your home through these areas.
● Base Flashing / Step Flashing. To prevent water from entering the wall cavity and damaging the structure, it is necessary to have a method of diverting water away from the face of the building. Base flashing and step flashing are used in conjunction to accomplish this task. Base flashing is installed at the bottom of a wall, while step flashing is installed at the top of a wall.
● Valley flashing is a type of flashing that is used at the base of a valley. This type of flashing is often used to prevent water from leaking through the seams of valleys and keep it out of the valley itself. Valley flashing can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, rubber, and other materials. It can also come in many different colors and styles depending on what kind of look you are trying to achieve with your building.
Home Improvement Services for Winter Weather
The cold weather has arrived and it’s time to make sure your roof is secure, and the flashing is in place. Excel Home Improvement in Romulus are home improvement contractors that can keep your Michigan home at the level. We specialize in roof installation and repair as well as gutter systems, vinyl siding and more. Our exterior renovation and remodeling services are full-service and referred throughout the area due to our quality work and customer care. Call to schedule a roof inspection to make sure your home is winter ready!