What Makes Up a Roof
Understanding Your Home's Roofing System
What’s a soffit? Is a drip edge supposed to drip? Do I need to replace my flashing with a new roof?
All these questions and more come from homeowners who want to understand their roof more. Knowing the parts of your roof can help you prepare for minor roof repairs, check for storm damage, and understand an estimate when it comes to a new roof replacement.
We’ve put together the quick-and-easy guide for what makes up a roof: roof parts you should know. Learn about ridge vents, eaves, ice shields, and more. And when you’re ready, the experts at Politz Enterprises Roofing can advise on simple roof repairs to help protect your roof.
The Parts of a Roof Every Homeowner Should Know
1. Shingles
Most homeowners are familiar with roofing shingles. These are most commonly asphalt but can also be cedar, slate, and synthetic materials. They are the outermost layer of your roof and the primary defense against weather and debris.
Are your shingles damaged? Curling, cracking, or missing shingles often mean it’s time for roof repairs or a replacement. Damaged shingles can compromise the structure of the roof, your support beams, and energy efficiency. If there is a roof leak, mold growth, or other issues, check for damaged shingles to find the root of the problem.
2. Flashing
The flashing is the thin metal (usually aluminum or steel) installed around chimneys, vents, skylights, and valleys to prevent water leaks. You will find flashing installed wherever there is a gap between materials. This is important to help prevent water damage, such as leaks or moisture entrapment that may lead to mold growth.
Notice a roof leak? Damaged or missing flashing is one of the top causes of roof leaks. Always ask about the roof flashing during a new roof installation or roof repair, especially if you’re worried about water damage.
3. Fascia
The fascia of a roof is the board that runs along the lower edge of the roof, where the gutters are attached. This gives a roof its finished appearance and helps enhance curb appeal. When considering a new roof or even a new gutter installation, you may consider a new fascia installation that can improve your home value.
Tip: High quality fascia is worth it. The fascia protects your roof and interior from weather damage. Rotting fascia boards can lead to bigger structural issues, so you want to select durable materials, especially to prevent against storm damage repairs in Maryland.
4. Soffit
Where the underside of your roof overhangs (the part you see when standing under the eaves), is where the soffit is installed. The soffit allows both ventilation and protection for your new roof. It will have small vents installed to allow for airflow, preventing moisture build-up that can lead to mold growth. However, the covering of the soffit stops critters and debris from finding their way into your attic.
Why it matters: Soffits allow for attic ventilation while preventing open areas that debris and animals can get into. If soffits are blocked or rotting, it can lead to moisture buildup and mold in your attic. Always choose to get a new soffit replacement when you’re seeing damage with your current installation.
5. Ridge
The ridge is the highest point where two roof slopes meet. Your roof may have multiple ridges if you have several slopes that join together. Examples may be of a pitched or peaked roof around a chimney, over a garage, on an addition, etc. Ridges can impact how steep your roof is and may require additional installations and maintenance.
What to know about roof ridges: Ridges often have ridge vents to allow hot air to escape from your attic, helping regulate temperature and prevent moisture issues. Always ensure you have ridge vents professionally installed and inspected to prevent leaks around the vent installation.
6. Ridge Vent
The ridge vent is the vent that runs along the peak of the roof, allowing the air to flow out. If your roofer mentions ridges, you want to ensure that your new roofing quote includes ridge vent installations. Without this, your attic will not properly ventilate.
Yes, You Need Ridge Vents: Proper attic ventilation helps reduce energy bills and prevents roof damage from moisture or excessive heat. Without ridge vents, the humidity of Maryland’s weather will build up, contributing to moisture, higher energy bills, and possibly more problems down the line.
7. Underlayment
Beneath the shingles but directly on the roof deck is where the underlayment is installed. This is a water-resistant layer that helps protect the foundation of the roof, attic, etc. In areas prone to heavy storms and unexpected weather, like Maryland, the underlayment acts as an additional barrier in case shingles curl, blow away, or the roof incurs other damage.
Do You See Your Underlayment? If your shingles are damaged, missing, or have other repairs needed, and you can see the underlayment, it’s time to call for roof repairs in Maryland. While this layer is a backup layer protection, it does not act in lieu of a roof and shingles.
Getting a New Roof? Always ask your roofing contractor about installing an underlayment in case of shingle damage for peace of mind.
8. Decking (or Sheathing)
Roof decking is the base layer of your roof that is installed directly onto the frame, normally the trusses or rafters. All other parts of the roof are then installed on the roof decking, like your underlayment and shingles. The roof decking is most often plywood, but may be other materials as required for your roofing materials, insulation, etc.
Have a Leak? Check the Roof Decking! If shingles have curled, peeled, or been torn away, your roof decking may be at risk. Before replacing missing shingles, always have an inspection done on your roof decking for leaks and water damage. Unrepaired roof decking leaks can lead to rot, sagging supports, and even a total collapse.
9. Valley
If you have a pitched roof, a roof valley is the space where two slopes meet. This “V” shape can act as a natural draining channel for water to flow into gutters. However, be mindful that debris can clog a roof valley, which can lead to water seeping under shingles and other damage.
Protect Your Roof Valleys! Valleys handle a large amount of water runoff. They’re prone to leaks if not properly flashed or maintained. Always ensure the flashing is secure, especially before and after a storm. A visual inspection can confirm if your flashing damage needs professional roof repairs to protect against major water runoff.
10. Gable
On sloped roofs, where the triangular section of the roof overhangs, the section of wall between the edges is called a gable. The gable is a stylistic choice that also adds structure and security. Gables are very common on most roofing structures and are a design that most homeowners are familiar with.
Biggest Risk: With a roof gable, homeowners need to be aware of protection during storms and high winds. This is because the overhang is an easy target for high winds to damage and can be especially problematic during high storms.
11. Drip Edge
To avoid water soaking into the fascia board and other wooden parts of a roof, a drip edge is often installed. A drip edge is a metal strip that directs water into the gutters and gives a sloped angle to keep it away from wooden parts. The drip edge can be a big part of protecting a roof from storm damage.
No Drip Edge? No Problem. If you are looking for a drip edge as part of your roof repairs or roof installation, talk to Politz Enterprises. The drip edge can help prevent water from seeping under shingles, behind siding, into fascia, and more. This helps stop rot, mold, and other damage that can cause a need for roof repairs.
12. Eaves
Eaves of a roof are the parts that overhang and extend past the walls of a house. Eaves are also another part of a roof that is both stylistic and helps protect against water damage. The eaves can move water further from your siding and foundation, leading to overall better home protection.
Eaves, Soffits, and More: The soffits are installed onto the eaves and help with ventilation. Don’t leave your eaves exposed, as this can cause damage from water and critters. A simple soffit installation can go a long way.
13. Gutters & Downspouts
Gutters are installed as a separate part of the roof to collect rainwater run off and the downspouts direct the water away from the foundation of the home. Never skip on gutters! Gutters can help move water safely from the most vulnerable parts of your home, protecting it from pooling and erosion damage.
Add Gutter Guards for Peace of Mind. If your gutters are always clogged with bird nests, twig runoffs, or leaves, gutter guards can help. They are a mesh design, allowing water to get through but stopping birds, animals, and debris. This means less time spent cleaning the gutters and more home protection.
14. Ice & Water Shield
As an additional layer of protection, an ice and water shield for a roof is installed directly under the shingles, as another barrier against ice, rain, melting snow, and other moisture that’s highly relevant in Maryland’s climate. This protective membrane is installed in vulnerable areas versus across the entire roof. Your roofing contractor will install ice and water shields around valleys, eaves, and other places at high risk of moisture.
Maryland Climate Demands an Ice and Water Shield! Because of the colder climate in Maryland, new roof installations in Frederick and surrounding areas should always have an ice and water shield. This helps prevent damage from freezing temperatures, freezing water, melting snow, wind-driven rain, and other extreme weather.
15. Skylight
A skylight is a window installed within the roof to let in more natural light, as opposed to windows, which are installed within walls. Skylights are very beneficial to let in more natural light, make a space feel brighter and bigger, and create a cozy atmosphere within the home.
Know Before You Install: Skylights can have risks that require more frequent roof repairs. They can be leak-prone if not properly installed or maintained, due to the seals around the edging and connecting to the roof. Always work with a professional contractor when installing skylights and handling roof repairs.
Need Roof Repairs or an Inspection?
Did any part of this sound like something your roof needs? At Politz Enterprises Roofing, we help Maryland homeowners understand their roof and protect their investment with roof repairs, roof inspections, roof maintenance, and more.
Whether you’re dealing with a leak, storm damage, or just want peace of mind, our expert roofing team is here to help — no confusing jargon, just honest solutions. Call today to learn more about your roof and get quality repairs.
