Importance of Roof Shingles

Under the Shingles

• A roof consists of several layers of material. Underneath it all, a series of triangular wooden trusses form the framing skeleton for the roof structure. A construction crew nails a flat deck of plywood to the frame to form the first layer of the roof. Next, the crew tacks or staples a water-resistant underlayment, such as tar paper, to the deck. The underlayment protects the deck from moisture damage from rain that the wind drives between the shingles.(ref 4)

Importance of Shingles

• Roofing shingles provide primary protection from the elements. The roofing crew uses special nails to attach the shingles to the deck in overlapping layers without compromising the integrity of the underlayment. The shingles must be durable enough to withstand winds of up to 120 miles per hour in high-wind, coastal regions. The shingle material must also be flexible enough so that the shingle doesn't tear off when a windstorm lifts it up by its edges. In dry regions where wildfires can threaten residential neighborhoods, fire-resistant shingles reduce the likelihood of a wildfire or forest fire igniting a house.

Shingle Materials

• Roof shingles come in a variety of materials. In hot, dry climates, interlocking Spanish clay tile shingles are often used on low-pitched roofs. A properly maintained clay roof can last up to 100 years. A metal roof may be constructed of tin, steel, aluminum or copper and can last 40 to 50 years. Wooden roofs are frequently made of cedar, pine or oak because these species are attractive and pest-resistant. The roofs of most contemporary homes are made of a composition of asphalt or organic materials. Asphalt composition roofs are more fire-resistant than their organic counterparts.

Roofing System

• A roof is more than just shingles. In addition to the trusses, deck, underlayment and shingles, a roofing system also includes vents, hip and ridge shingles, gutters and downspouts. Homeowners can divert rainwater collected from the roof to rain barrels where the water can be reused for irrigation or cleaning. A roof can help save energy costs. Light-colored shingles help keep a house cool, and a roof with dark shingles attracts and retains heat.