Roofing where roof meets wall can be tricky. You need to know the details of the process, including the proper type of flashing. There are two types of flashing: the base flashing and the vertical surface flashing. Both are important because rainwater hits them constantly and the flashing guides it away from the joint. The correct kind of flashing is also essential for houses that have dormer roofs, which feature a roof over an extra-large space.
Step flashing
When your home has a corner where the roof meets the wall, you will need to install step flashing. You can either purchase a corner piece at the hardware store or make one yourself. When installing your corner piece, start with the first step flashing resting on the shingle. Use a tin snip to cut the corner flashing at a 45-degree angle to the centerfold of the step flashing.
Installing step flashing can be tricky because you must match it up perfectly to the wall and the roof. If the step flashing is not installed properly, gaps can form which water can seep in. While rain water cannot seep through the gaps, ice can leak and rot sheetrock and plywood. If you don’t replace step flashing, you may end up with more leaks in the future.
Continuous flashing
The place where the roof meets a wall requires continuous flashing. Typically, the continuous flashing is 26-gauge galvanized metal that extends 5 inches up the wall and four inches over the last shingle course. In front-wall flashing, a single strip of flashing should extend seven inches up and around the corner. In some cases, it may be necessary to cut the wall and remove enough stucco to install the flashing.
Another type of continuous flashing is called apron flashing. It is a strip of metal positioned along a roof’s sloped edge to prevent water from seeping inside the house. Apron flashing is the most common type of flashing, but it’s not as effective as step flashing, which is a longer, straight strip of metal that runs along a wall and is inserted between the roof and the wall.
Headwall flashing
There are many advantages to installing headwall flashing when roofing. It is particularly useful when roofing a chimney or other vertical masonry feature. This type of flashing prevents moisture from entering behind the vertical flange of the roofing surface. The flashing can also be made from outside wall covering material. But be careful when installing it, as aluminum rips easily. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best results:
The headwall flashing is required when installing metal roofing systems on your home. Flashing needs to extend up behind the exterior of the wall and sit over the roof shingles. Shingle and slate roofs, on the other hand, require a flashing at the junction. You can buy different types of flashing to cover this important area of your roof. It is also flexible enough to be installed on any size, shape, or angle of the roof.
Dormer roof feature
A Dormer is a roof feature that is typically asymmetrical in shape, with two walls on either side of the dormer’s roof. This unique design is common on newer homes, but you can add a traditional-style dormer to a period house if you want to maintain the aesthetics of the home. Depending on your preferences, you can add a shed or gambrel dormer to your house. As with other types of roofs, the material used for the dormer windows is generally similar to that of the main roof.
When you add a dormer to an existing home, there are specific guidelines to adhere to. First, you must follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installing shingles on the roof of a dormer. Then, you need to apply the shingles with proper exposure, which may not match the existing roof ridge. In addition, you must use proper flashing around the dormer to prevent water from entering the house through the dormer.
