What is Roof Flashing?

When people think about roofing, shingles often get all the credit. They look great, stand up to the weather, and they’re tough, but they are only part of the whole roofing system. The unsung hero award has to go to roof flashing. So, what is roof flashing? Let the experts at Roof Right, a family-owned roofing company in Carroll County explain the importance of roof flashing and why it is truly your home’s unsung hero. 

What is roof flashing?

Roof flashing is a thin layer of metal sheeting used to direct water away from seams and joints where moisture could penetrate the roof and cause water damage.

What is the purpose?

Underlayment and roof flashing are required to keep water from getting underneath your shingles.

Flashing is critical to certain areas of your roof, especially the places where the roof surface meets a wall (sidewalls and front walls), the low points where two roof slops meet (called valleys), roof protrusions (bathroom/kitchen vents, skylights) and the roof’s edges (rakes and eaves).

What materials are used for roof flashing?

More than likely, you may know the different roofing materials types, but understanding flashing is less common for homeowners to know about. Flashing is absolutely necessary to ensure your roof is installed well, and your home is protected, so here’s what you should know about the different materials used for roof flashings:

Copper

This is the most durable material that is on the market and In addition, it is very eye-catching too. Copper doesn’t develop rust, even after years of exposure. It ages more gracefully by forming a green patina over time and still looks great with different roofing types. It doesn’t require painting or regular treatments to remain effective.

Steel

Galvanized steel is a popular flashing material type and works very well with metal roofs since it’s usually made of the same or similar materials. Steel flashings usually have a zinc coating to protect them against corrosion, allowing them to last much longer under exposure to moisture and other weather elements.

Lead

Lead is actually a very durable material for flashings, and many prefer it right behind copper. It naturally has long-lasting resistance to water damage and since it is a softer metal, it’s able to expand and contract with the outside temperatures easier than many other materials. Lead flashings are believed to last for over 200 years, so they should be fine to last the entire lifespan of your roof.

Aluminum

This is a relatively inexpensive flashing material while also being malleable and durable. It’s a great material for trickier sections of a roof because of its malleability, such as chimney flashings, base flashings, and valley flashings. It needs a protective finish, however, since it corrodes easily when exposed to weather elements, wood, cement, or concrete.

Does roof flashing ever need to be replaced?

The only way to absolutely guarantee the quality of flashing is to replace it, so if you’re worried about the quality of flashings when getting a new roof, feel free to have yours replaced. That being said, many flashings outlive the normal lifespan of a roof and can be reused.

Many roofing contractors will even recommend reusing your roof flashings since they last and are often in fine condition. If your flashings have experienced weather damage, have holes, are corroded, or show any other signs of damage and wear, it’s best to replace them. If they’re in good shape, however, they can be reused.

About Roof Right

At Roof Right we have realized customer service and trust are poorly lacking in the roofing industry. That is why our roofing company takes pride in our exceptional service which includes showing up when we say we will, providing a thorough 17-point inspection, listening to you so we can make a quick and thorough diagnosis of your roofing problem, and cleaning up after ourselves as we work. In addition to offering residential roofing services and roof repairs in Maryland. Roof Right is proud to offer the following services:

Roofing & Gutter Maintenance – Your roof, just like your car, should get routine inspections. Your roof gets more abuse from the elements than any other part of your home and preventative maintenance is a key element to a longer service life. Protect your home with the Roof Right Shield Program. Every year, our expert roofers will climb up on your roof and into your attic to ensure that your roof is providing you with the maximum protection for your home. Learn more about roofing & gutter maintenance. 

Skylights & Solatubes – Brighten your home with natural sunlight with skylights & solatubes installed by the team at Roof Right! Sunlight in your home can transform a dark room into one that is bright and full of natural light. It can also highlight textures, and bring out the vibrant colors of your furniture. And that is a beautiful thing! Skylights allow you to light your home for free during the day using natural sunlight. That means you can spend less on electricity and more on you! Roof Right offers a complete system of skylight products for any kind of roof. Learn more about skylights & solatubes.

Gutters – Installing a new seamless gutter system is one of the most critical aspects of all home repairs. Improving the drainage around the home can have a significant impact on the stability of the foundation and the life of your home. Roof Right installs gutters and gutter guards that will efficiently channel water away from your home. Learn more about gutters. 

Siding – Looking to add curb appeal along with improving your homes energy efficiency? No paint. No stain. No hassles. Vinyl siding delivers strength, durability, and beauty of real wood with a variety of design options and multiple color options. Based on an average size home, repainting can cost thousands of dollars every few years. Vinyl siding never needs painting, caulking or patching because, unlike wood, it won’t crack, peel, rot or split. Roof Right carries siding from the best manufacturers in the industry, including Mastic, CertainTeed, James Hardie. Learn more about siding. 

Windows – Reduce your energy bills & increase the curb appeal of your home with energy efficient windows installed by Roof Right!  There are hundreds of vinyl window brands on the market today – but they are not all created equal. Many ordinary vinyl windows are designed only for low cost, not for value. We install top-of-the-line, energy efficient windows for long-lasting great looks. We carry a wide selection of energy efficient products from trusted manufacturers. Learn more about windows. 

Doors – Roof Right and ProVia® are dedicated to making entry doors the professional way. ProVia entry doors are energy efficient, built to quality standards and gives you many choices to entry-level doors that are sold through box stores. Roof Right installers have attended entry systems and storm door training with ProVia®. We have software that will allow you to build your new entry door on our computer so you can see the many different options and price ranges available. ProVia® builds their doors with care in every detail. They don’t cut corners and pay attention to the smallest details. The replacement doors can be customized to your individual taste and style. They are an industry leader in building residential doors. Learn more about doors. 

Decks & Patios –  We can help you design a deck for your home that can bring you many years of enjoyment and improve your home’s value. Let us guide you through the design and construction of your dream deck. From designing the deck for your needs and budget, to getting all the necessary permits, we will make the construction process as pleasant as possible. Choose Roof Right to build a custom deck that will increase your living space and become your favorite relaxation and entertaining spot. Learn more about decks & patios.