Types of Roof Flashing: Our Guide
In this post, we'll be discussing the various types of roof flashing and how the best work with your specific type of roof. With the expert help for Storm Roofing and through utilizing our high quality materials,; we always place a strong focus on offering the best product and service possible to our customers. Read on to learn more about roof flashing and which option may be the best for you to choose.
What is Roof Flashing?
First off, what is roof flashing? Well, we’re glad you asked! Roof flashing is the thin piece of metal, typically galvanized steel, which is placed in key points throughout the roof to help protect vulnerable areas of the roof itself. These metal pieces are able to redirect water, snow, and debris away from the areas which are most prone to encountering damage and decay. Overall, roof flashing is a vital component of any quality-focused roofing project.
What is the Purpose of Roof Flashing?
As mentioned above, the purpose of roof flashing is to prevent a weakening or corrosion of vital areas of the roof itself. A piece of roof flashing will likely help prevent sensitive areas from becoming distraught by the elements over the course of multiple years. When you have rain, snow, heat, and cold all hitting your roof throughout the course of a year; you’ll likely find certain areas to be much more vulnerable than other areas of the roof itself.
Let’s Break Down the Basics of Roof Flashing
Roof flashing allows the roof itself to maintain the integrity it needs to withstand the harsh elements over the years. Without proper roof flashing, you can run the risk of creating a vulnerable environment where there may be opportunities for rot to develop and compromised areas to begin weakening over time. There are key areas where roof flashing can be crucial for the successful maintenance of a roof. Let’s explore those key areas.
Flashing for Chimneys
Chimneys are a separate part of the roof. When you have a roof, and a chimney intertwined with one another, there are gaps within the physical materials; no matter how tight you make a seal. This is where roof flashing comes in to help save the day. When you have proper installation of a roof flashing adhering to the chimney, you’ll be in a much better position to extend the life of both your roof and chimney.
Flashing for Roof Skylights
Skylights are extra susceptible to mold, mildew, degradation, and rot. When you have the right roof flashing installed and the border of the skylight is tefl, you can avoid many of the aforementioned issues. Our expert team of roofers and flashing installers will work hard to ensure your roof skylights are sealed, safe, and secure from the elements.
Flashing for Roof Vents
Roof vents need the right level of flashing as well. If not properly placed onto the perimeter of the roof vent, there may be seepage and mold growth, which will likely lead to a compromised roof vent over time. Prevent this from happening with the right level of roof flashing over your roof vent.
Continuous Flashing
This process is also known as “apron flashing”. It resembles an apron, carrying the water flow down below to associated shingles.
Base Flashing
Base flashing consists of a typical two-piece flashing installation. These types of flashing are typically applied to chimney areas. This helps ensure the rainwater itself always points towards the flashing direction and proceeds downward towards proper drainage. Flashing installation around chimneys is one of the most tedious flashing areas on a rooftop. For this reason, it’s very important to have a highly-qualified roofing specialist assist with this flashing installation.
Counter Flashing
Counter flashing is what it sounds like: the counterpart of an original piece of flashing. It’s placed either in the opposite facing direction or above the original piece of base flashing.
Step Flashing
Step flashing is a rectangular piece of flashing which is contoured at a 90-degree angle in the middle of the flashing. Benign that it’s a 90-degree angle, it’s perfect for wall-mounted flashing on a rooftop. This style of flashing is installed amongst layers of shingles to help ensure water properly flows away from any wall area.
Skylight Flashing
Skylight flashing helps protect your skylight from water accumulation, which in turn helps prevent rot, mold, mildew, and damage from developing over time.
Valley Flashing
Valley Flashing helps prevent water accumulation within the deep valleys on your roof line. This helps prevent unnecessary water accumulation, which will in turn reduce the chances of any prolonged water exposure leading to roof damage.
Drip Edges
Drip edges are a style of flashing which is beneficial for promoting waterflow in the right direction; off of the roof. Drip edge flashing is typically quite thin, which is great for presenting a seamless look on the edges of your roof.
Kickout Flashing
Kickout flashing helps “bridge the gap”, so to speak. The gap which is bridged is the portion of the flashing which may end too early, and not have a proper connecting point. Thankfully, with kickout flashing, we’re able to successfully connect the incomplete parts of the preexisting flashing and direct the water away from the roof and into the gutter for proper drainage.
Roof Flashing Materials
Aluminum Flashing
Aluminum flashing is a great style of flashing for roofers, as it has lightweight qualities. The downside to aluminum flashing is the fact it must be coated aluminum if it’s used simultaneously with any type of masonry or concrete. This is primarily due to the fact plain aluminum wild degrade over time, and it will most likely react with alkaline surfaces. The coated aluminum product ensures this is unlikely to occur.
Copper Roof Flashing
The advantage of copper roof flashing is the fact it can handle soldering quite well and it can be easily manipulated thanks to its malleability. The additional advantage of copper roof flashing is its longevity and durability. The only downside to copper roof flashing is it may oxidize over time and develop a green tinge.
Stainless Steel Flashing
Stainless steel flashing is a fantastic choice for roofing as it offers durability, anti-rust features, and corrosion resistance. Additionally, it offers malleability.
Roof Flashing Techniques
Below are some of the most common roof flashing techniques which you’ll find across many different roofs, of many different shapes and sizes.
Step Flashing
Step flashing, as mentioned above, is one of the styles of flashing where the roof face meets the wall. Its primary purpose is to help water flow in the right direction towards proper drainage.
Plumbing Vent Boot Flashing
Plumbing vent boot flashing consists of flashing around the plumbing vent boot to properly protect the vent from degradation, rust, and rot.
Counter Flashing
Counter flashing is able to assist an initial piece of flashing to do its job correctly. The counter flashing is typically the second piece attached to the original piece of flashing to allow water to seamlessly flow past the initial flashing. This process helps to ensure water does not build up behind the initial piece of flashing.
Sealant Types for Roof Flashing
The most effective type of sealant for roof flashing is usually roofing cement. The rationale behind this is that if you simply use screws or nails, they’ll likely warp over time as temperatures fluctuate between seasons. Roofing cement, when installed correctly, creates a waterproof seal; which will greatly reduce the chances of warping, rotting, degrading, etc… occurring.
Protecting Your Roof’s Structure & Integrity is Our #1 Goal!
Our team of roofing experts here at Storm Roofing are eager to begin working on your roofing project! We have the experience, expertise, and dedication to see your job through to its proper and professional completion. Feel free to contact us using the button below and we’ll be sure to respond to your inquiry as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you soon!