A Roof by definition is the covering on the uppermost part of a building which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain, but also heat, wind and sunlight; and the framing or structure which supports the covering. Utilizing superior products and best workmen, First Midwest Construction installs various residential roofs with you the home owner in mind. All steep-slope roof systems have five basic components: Roof covering: shingles, tile, slate or metal and underlayment that protect the sheathing from weather. Sheathing: boards or sheet material that are fastened to roof rafters to cover a house or building. Roof structure: rafters and trusses constructed to support the sheathing. Flashing: sheet metal or other material installed into a roof systems various joints and valleys to prevent water seepage. Drainage: a roof systems design features, such as shape, slope and layout that affect its ability to shed water.
A Gutter is a narrow trough which collects rainwater from the roof of a building and diverts it away from the structure, typically into a drain. Gutter sizing varies; 5 inch gutters are the standard residential size. 6 Inch gutters are larger gutters which are classified as oversized gutters. The main purpose of a rain gutter is to protect a buildings foundation by channeling water away from its base. The gutter also helps to reduce erosion, prevent leaks in basements and crawlspaces, protects painted or stained surfaces by reducing exposure to water and provides a means to collect rainwater for later use. Rain gutters can be made from a variety of materials. Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a downspout from the roof edge to the base of the building where it is either discharged or collected.
Siding is weatherproof facing for frame buildings, composed of pieces attached separately, plain or shaped boards, or of various units of sheet metal or various types of composition materials. This exterior material is applied to the walls of a house or other building meant to shed water, protect the walls from the effects of weather, insulate, and is a key in the aesthetics of the structure. Some walls such as solid brickwork and masonry veneer are not covered with siding, but some buildings such as log buildings can have siding added.
Soffit is tucked away under the fascia, usually the board that you see most of from street level. Soffit serves as aesthetic and functional purposes for a building’s roofing system. It’s the skin that covers your eaves — without it, you would see your rafter beams and expose the beams to various elements such as weather. Overtime, exposed rafters will have mold and rotting beams if they are not covered properly. Soffit also aids your home in air ventilation and circulation. Soffit helps your home breathe and provides ventilation to your attic. Fascia is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The primary role of the fascia is to act as a layer between the edge of the roof and the outdoors. Fascia protects the wooden board against water damage. Fascia has an aesthetic role since it creates a smoother, more even appearance for the edge of the roof. In addition to protecting the wooden board from water damage, the fascia protects the entire roof and the interior of the house from weather damage by blocking its entrance to the home.
Leaf Guards are protective materials that protect the top portion of a gutter. Leaf guards prevent unwanted materials and debris from entering the gutter. Leaf guards will save you time and money-decreases the number of back ups and clogs in your gutters significantly. Also, by installing Leaf guards on your home, you won’t need to clean out your gutters as often which decreases your maintenance. Lastly, leaf guards also protect the gutters from cracks or back up clogs