Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It shields you and your loved ones from the elements. It must be strong enough to withstand rain, wind, and sun.

Brigantine Roofing encompasses the dynamic process of installing, maintaining, and repairing this essential shield. It includes a wide array of materials, shapes, and styles.

As the name implies, shingles are the outer covering of your roof. They are generally composed of some kind of organic material and are layered one on top of the other. This allows them to provide protection and help regulate temperature. Most shingle roofs are made from asphalt, but some are also made of wood, slate, clay tiles or concrete.

When choosing a color for your shingles, it’s best to go outside and look at them. Luckily, there’s a tool that aids this process called a sample shingle board and most reputable roofing supply companies will offer these to you free of charge. A sample shingle board is basically a piece of hard cardboard that’s fitted with multiple small shingle samples in a variety of colors.

A shingle’s primary purpose is to prevent rain, snow and hail from seeping through the roof and causing damage or leaks. It’s important to inspect your shingles regularly and replace any that are damaged or missing. Having an intact roof will keep you and your family safe and comfortable, while also protecting your home’s value.

Shingles are caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same one that causes chickenpox. After you get chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in your body until it’s reactivated later in life, usually in adults, resulting in a painful blistery rash. People over 60 and those with a weak immune system are at increased risk for complications from the rash. The shingles vaccine and antiviral drugs can decrease the severity of symptoms and length of an outbreak.

There’s no evidence that a shingles outbreak increases the chance of birth defects in newborn babies or affects a woman’s ability to conceive. However, it’s important to note that if you’re pregnant and have a shingles rash, don’t be near your baby until the shingles have cleared up.

Underlayment

In flooring, underlayment is a layer of foam, rubber, felt, or crumb rubber placed beneath the floor covering. It serves several purposes, including protecting the subfloor and flooring from moisture damage. Underlayment is also an excellent sound-deadening material and helps smooth out minor floor imperfections, making your home more comfortable to live in.

Underlayment is a critical component of any wood flooring installation and is often required by manufacturer warranties, especially for rooms that are humid or have concrete subfloors. Its primary function is to prevent moisture damage, such as mold and mildew. Moisture damage is a serious issue that can affect the longevity and durability of your floors. Moisture is easily absorbed by the subfloor and can cause warping, squishy spots, and musty odors.

Foam and cork underlayment provide a cushion between the subfloor and the floor covering, which reduces foot traffic stress. This helps to extend the life of the flooring, and it also provides a buffer against minor subfloor irregularities such as barely protruding screws and small knot holes. Underlayment also improves floor stability and is essential for older homes with OSB or plywood floors.

In addition to moisture protection, underlayment can help regulate temperature in the room by insulating the floor and trapping heat underneath the flooring. This can reduce energy costs and make your house more comfortable to live in during seasonal changes. A thin underlayment is a good choice, as a thick one may create offset issues between rooms with different flooring materials or negatively impact door and trim sizes. It should also be environmentally friendly and not give off strong or unpleasant odors. For this reason, we recommend looking for an underlayment that has been certified by an environmental testing company.

Flashing

Flashing is a layer of thin water-resistant metal or other material that’s installed where your roof meets other features like walls, chimneys, skylights, and dormer walls. It is designed to seal and guide water away from critical areas where the roof plane changes direction, preventing leaks. Professional roofers typically use galvanized steel flashing for these areas, which can be easily bent and sealed with caulking and roofing cement.

While some homeowners assume that flashing is simply a decorative element, it plays an extremely important role in the long-term integrity of your home. Without proper flashing, water could seep into the crevice between the wall and roof and cause structural damage, mold, and rot. Proper installation and routine maintenance of roof flashing can prevent these issues.

There are several types of flashing, each with a unique function. Apron flashing consists of L-shaped pieces arranged in a stair-step pattern where the roof slope meets a vertical surface like a wall or chimney. The flashing is tucked under and behind the shingles, forming a water-resistant barrier to prevent leaks.

Valley flashing is a similar type of flashing, used in the valleys where two roof slopes meet to direct water down the roofline. Like aprons, valleys can be “open” or “closed.” Open valleys are exposed to weather elements, while closed valleys feature shingles that cover the flashing.

Other kinds of flashing include pipe flashing, which is used around pipes that penetrate the roof (like plumbing vents). This flashing consists of a base that sits under the shingles and a cap that overlaps them. This helps to protect the interior of your home from water intrusion and keep ice from forming in winter.

Corner flashing is another type of flashing that can be made at the corners of walls and peaks in the roof. This flashing is usually formed from a piece of step flashing that’s cut to size, then bent tightly around the corner.

When choosing a flashing material, consider that it will be exposed to the weather for years and may require replacement more frequently than the rest of your roof. Invest in high-quality flashing that will hold up against extreme weather conditions and other environmental factors.

Soffit

The soffit is the board that protects your roof’s underside and is located underneath the fascia and eaves. It is often the last part of your roofing system that many homeowners consider, and yet it plays a significant role in keeping your home healthy, energy-efficient and looking great.

Soffits are usually made of wood, but can also be constructed of aluminum or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Wood is an attractive option for soffit material, offering classic and timeless beauty that complements the rafters of your roof. It can be stained or painted in a variety of different colors, allowing homeowners to choose the look that best suits their home. It is important to remember that wood soffits must be properly maintained and inspected regularly for rot and pests. In addition, it can be expensive to repair rotted sections of a soffit or fascia.

In terms of function, soffits protect rafters from the elements by shielding them from moisture and debris. This helps prevent the onset of mold and rot, which could lead to structural damage that is expensive and time-consuming to fix. The soffit also promotes attic ventilation, helping to keep your home cool in the summer and reduce energy costs.

If the soffit is not properly ventilated, it can trap moist air in your attic space. This can cause mold, mildew and other problems. It can also cause the insulation in your attic to deteriorate, leading to higher energy costs. Proper attic ventilation is essential for the health and maintenance of your roof.

Fascia is a horizontal finishing board that sits at the end of your roof’s rafters or trusses and supports the eavestrough and gutter systems. It is visible from the ground and is typically a solid color, such as white or redwood. Like soffits, fascia is subject to wear and tear from exposure to the elements. It is also susceptible to moisture, which can cause rotting and insect infestation. Cracks in fascia are a common occurrence, and can allow water to seep into the structure of your home, causing more severe damage that requires extensive and costly repairs.