What Is Roof Flashing and Why Is It Vital? (2023)

Roof flashing is available in varied sorts to go well with a wide range of wants. Step flashing and steady flashing are most steadily used round “protrusions” into the roof, like chimneys and dormers. Drip edge and valley flashing are protecting components of the roof itself, and counter flashing is utilized in a wide range of specialty circumstances — for instance, to enhance step flashing round a chimney or skylights.

You can too take a look at this video by Invoice Ragan Roofing Firm for extra info and a rundown of how the various kinds of flashing are used.

Within the sections beneath, I’ll focus on every sort in additional element.

Drip edge serves as a “cap” on the uncovered edges of the picket sheets that comprise the roof deck. The place there are gutters, there’s drip edge — and even in some locations there aren’t gutters, there’s drip edge. Regardless that shingles and different roofing materials overhang the sting of the roof, water can nonetheless find yourself using up the underside of the shingle and into the sting of the wooden sheathing. This sort of water publicity to the perimeters of frequent roof deck materials, like oriented strand board, generally known as OSB, can quickly degrade the fabric’s structural integrity. The drip edge prevents that from taking place. Drip edge is changed with each new roof set up, and upkeep outdoors of sunshine cleansing as wanted is never needed.

The place differing roof pitches come collectively known as a valley. Like valleys in nature, it’s the place water is drawn to and collects to be drained away by gravity. Roof valleys are a pure course for water to gather and movement, and roofers take additional precautions to make sure they’re completely protected in opposition to water harm. Valley flashing is an uncovered flashing that runs the size of an open valley (versus a closed valley the place shingles are run clear by way of it.) Some folks just like the look of this uncovered valley flashing, and it’s additionally helpful to permit the strong metallic to bear the brunt of flowing rainwater.

Counter flashing, because the title suggests, runs counter to most different forms of flashing. It’s the flashing that’s normally noticed round a brick chimney as a part of the system of chimney flashing. Although it could seem like step flashing when used like this, it’s truly bent reverse of step flashing. If you happen to look carefully, you may see that one facet is embedded within the mortar between brick programs, whereas the opposite “ear” is bent down towards the roof. Counter flashing works in live performance with step flashing across the chimney (and in different areas) to fully defend susceptible areas. 

Roof flashing is manufactured from malleable metals like copper or aluminum. Beneath, I’ll make clear a number of the most used supplies and their benefits (or disadvantages).

Aluminum is a quite common flashing materials and is appropriate in all instances. It’s low-cost, available, and simple to work with. It is available in many colours to match any roofing materials or siding colour. The downside is that it doesn’t essentially add something to the roof’s magnificence. At greatest, it blends in unnoticed.

Copper is a conventional flashing materials that has been in use for hundreds of years. It’s malleable and fairly, and many individuals take into account the patina it positive factors over time charming. The draw back is that copper could be costly, particularly pure copper. There are different choices out there, although. Decrease-purity copper alloys have the look and look of copper however at a less expensive price.

Like copper, lead-coated copper is a time-honored flashing. Don’t be scared by the title. Regardless of being coated with lead, the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) makes no point out of any environmental hazards related to it. Lead-coated copper has a lustrous grey look that, like copper, offers a home a little bit of historic aptitude.

Galvanized metal is an affordable and practical flashing materials. It’ll (and has) carried out nicely over the many years, but it surely’s inclined to discoloration by varied means. Of all flashing materials, it’s the least interesting choice to most. It lacks considerably within the seems to be division, and few folks discover it aesthetically fascinating. Whereas galvanized metal is affordable, aluminum is just barely dearer and has higher long-term qualities.

The suitable materials in your roof comes right down to model and finances. Whereas all flashing materials protects a home equally nicely, not all have the character {that a} house owner is in search of, nor do all of them have the identical price ticket. Although metal and aluminum are approximate in worth, copper and lead-coated copper could be expensive, particularly for a big or complicated roof.

Putting in roof flashing is greatest left to professionals. Apart from a number of manufactured items, a lot of a roof’s flashing should be handmade with brakes and shears to suit the precise software. Flashing will get changed with every new roof, so owners hardly ever have to be involved with it.

If you need a selected flashing materials, point out it to your roofing contractor. In lots of instances, contractors will use a regular flashing materials, normally a cheap materials like aluminum or galvanized metal. Owing to the expense of copper or lead-coated copper, contractors gained’t assume that’s what you need. So, if you would like copper or one thing prefer it, remember to specify that.

Ultimately, you may’t go incorrect. No matter roof flashing you or your contractor select might be ample in your long-term wants. Although copper could also be a bit of outdoors the finances of some, aluminum or galvanized metal are nonetheless superb selections that may preserve you and your home glad and dry for years to come back.

If you happen to want a brand new roof, restore, or inspection, take into account filling out the shape beneath to contact considered one of my favourite roof alternative specialists.