What Is Roofing Substrate?
What is roofing substrate? Simply put, the roof deck is the structure upon which you will lay the roofing membrane and roof coating. This visible support system must be strong and durable enough to withstand the rigors of the installation process. Metal roofing substrates include galvanized steel and aluminum. These metals are commonly used in commercial construction and provide the structural support necessary for large and important buildings. Although they are durable, they do not provide a continuous surface and must be supplemented with timber substrates. best choice roofing
The most common roofing substrate is plywood. It’s relatively easy to install and relatively inexpensive. However, you should leave a 1/8” gap between the substrate and roof deck, as plywood can buckle. It also has inherent weaknesses, such as delamination and pulling apart over time. Therefore, a good roofing substrate must include some reinforcement in order to prevent this degradation. Besides the obvious limitations of plywood, there are several other materials that you can use as roofing substrates.
Another problem with dry, bare roofs is that the roof substrate can move due to moisture. When moisture is in the roof substrate, it can cause the outer layer of the shingles to split, leading to a crack in the entire roof. Conversely, a dry substrate can buckle when the board edges push against each other, compromising the performance of the roofing system. Ultimately, this problem can lead to a costly repair bill.
Felt is another material that can be used as a roofing substrate. The fibers of felt can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, polyester, wood, and even vegetable matter. They can be coated with waterproofing materials, such as asphalt. Felt also comes with flashing, which is the component that seals and weatherproofs the edges of a roof. This is often used to protect rooftop equipment and drains from water.
Among the common roofing substrates are asphalt and concrete. Although they are effective waterproofing materials, they are susceptible to deterioration by weathering and UV light. In order to repair this problem, preservation products offer acrylic elastomeric roof coatings and reinforced roofing systems. Concrete, on the other hand, is a porous material that can become wet and suffer from water problems. In tropical areas, concrete roofs are a common sight.
