How Roofs Work

A roof actually consists of several layers working together to protect and beautify a home. Knowing the layout of your roof will help you better understand how and why problems can occur. Here is how the system works from A to D (A being the top layer, D the bottom):

Layer A: The visible shingle on the top roof layer consisting of the shake, tile or metal shingle.

Layer B: The roof deck, which is nailed to the rafters and can be constructed of plywood or other materials. It also serves as an insulating device and can decrease energy usage as a result.

Layer C: The underlayment, which is usually a sheet of felt to help deflect any water that seeps through a crack in a shingle. The felts can be different grades and are sometimes reinforced with fiberglass.

Layer D: Aluminum strips to help block weather damage from wind and rain. These are installed along the sides of the roofs and at the eaves.

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