Did You Know Roof Flashing Is What Makes Your Roof Functional?

Saying that roof flashing is what will determine whether you roof will work sounds like an exaggeration. On the other hand, you may be scratching your head trying to figure out what flashing is. You probably already know that your roof consists of so many parts. In fact, it would be more appropriate to refer to it as a roofing system.

What role does your roof play? It protects you from the elements, of course. And that requires the whole system to work as it should. Before we can discuss why roof flashing is important, you need to know what it is. The following post offers a good explanation:

What is Roof Flashing?

The roof of a residential home serves one major purpose, and that is to be a barrier against the weather outside. The most difficult weather element to control is water, and roof flashing acts as the last line of defense against water leakage. It is simply a piece of sheet metal — usually aluminum or galvanized steel — which is placed over joints in roof and wall construction to prevent water seeping into the house and causing damage. The major cause of residential roof leaks is a fault in the flashing.

Roof flashing represents a very simple and intuitive engineering technique that has been known for hundreds of years. The whole idea depends almost entirely on gravity. Read more at Wise Geek…

Roof flashing basically covers the places that cannot be covered by roof alone. More simply, it covers the vulnerable gaps that the roof does not.

The following post refers to roof flashing as an unsung hero. It should give you a better understanding of the work it does:

Why roof flashing is the unsung hero of your home

Shingles get all the credit. Asphalt shingles look nice, they stand up to the weather and they’re tough and durable. Shingles, though, are only part of the whole roof system. The unsung hero of the operation is roof flashing.

What is roof flashing?

Flashing is a flat, thin, weatherproof material that, with the help of underlayment, keeps water from getting underneath your shingles. Read more at Long Fence and Home…

You can now appreciate the role that roof flashing plays in ensuring that you and your loved ones do not get under the weather – literally.

So if you have concerns about how the flashing affects your home’s physical appeal, here is some advice:

Some people don’t like the look of metal flashing on their roof, and want to find a way to avoid having to see it. Fortunately, there are many options to do this while still keeping the protection that flashing provides. For example, flashing doesn’t always have to be exposed. It can actually be hidden by your choice of roofing material.

Another way to conceal the flashing on your roof is to opt for something other than metal. Options like plastic, or composites are available, but we don’t recommend them. Copper or stainless steel flashing have the longest lifespans and will outlive your existing roof. If your flashing is compromised before the rest of your roof is due to be replaced, it will greatly reduce the remaining lifespan of that roof while simultaneously exposing your attic to moisture problems as well. Read more at Cribbs, Inc…

If you need your roof installed, replaced or repaired, you need to ensure that the roof flashing is given proper attention to avoid future problems. As discussed, good flashing has an impact on the lifespan of your roof.

Getting a qualified roofing contractor is important if your entire roof system (including roof flashing) is to be fully functional. If you are looking for a professional roofing contractor in Chantilly, VA who can do this for you, call us today!

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