When you are having a roof installed on your home, even if you are not doing it yourself, it's important to know what are the components of a typical residential roof. This will allow you to have a productive conversation with your roofer and decide the type of roof you want to have. Understanding the different components of a roof also helps you understand when something goes wrong.

Roofing Products

Residential roofing products are necessary to provide you with a quality roof that will last a long time and will protect your home from the weather. They are necessary if you will have a roof constructed that has a steep slope. The product will include an underlayment, roofing shingles, and an accessory product. 

Shingles

The roofing shingles are the most visible part of your home. They protect your home from rain, hail, sleet, and snow. The roof shingles can be made from a variety of materials, from wood to slate and metal. Asphalt shingles are the most common of all because they are the most affordable. There are several types of roofing shingles to choose from.

The most simple type of shingle is a strip shingle. This is a roofing shingle that looks like slate. The dimensional layer is heavier and comes with multiple layers. They are more durable than strip shingles. They are laminated and are designed to look more beautiful than other types of shingles.

Roofers will often use starter shingles as well. These are designed to work with different types of roofs. The starter shingles will give your home a more consistent look throughout, regardless of the type of shingles you use. Hip and ridge accessory shingles are another option that is used for aesthetic purposes.

Underlayment

Underneath the shingles are the underlayment. This is a water-resistant layer that acts as a second line of defense. The underlayment can be made out of different types of materials. One of the most common is fiberglass. While shingles can be highly effective at defending against the rain, wind can sometimes blow rain underneath shingles. 

Ventilation

Proper attic ventilation is an important part of residential roofing. Ventilation helps keep your attic cool in the summer and helps fight moisture in the winter. Ventilation is necessary to prevent the formation of ice dams. There may be other products that are available for your roof, but a residential roofer can help you determine which products are necessary.