🏠What’s the Difference Between Underlayment, Shingles, and Flashing?
A simple breakdown for Orange County homeowners
If you’ve ever read a roofing estimate or talked to a contractor, you’ve probably heard terms like underlayment, shingles, and flashing thrown around. But what do they all really mean—and why do they matter?
At Fox Roofing Company, we believe every homeowner should feel confident in understanding what’s on their roof. So here’s a quick and simple breakdown of these three essential parts of any roofing system:
🔹 Underlayment: The Hidden Barrier
What it is:
A protective layer that sits directly on the wood decking of your roof, under the shingles or tiles.
What it does:
Acts as a moisture barrier
Protects the home if shingles or tiles fail
Helps prevent wood rot, mold, and leaks
Common types:
Felt (older homes)
Synthetic underlayment (modern, longer-lasting)
👉 In Orange County’s heat, a high-quality synthetic underlayment is essential to fight UV and moisture damage.
🔹 Shingles (or Tiles): The Outer Shell
What they are:
These are the visible, outermost layer of your roof. In SoCal, that’s usually either asphalt shingles or concrete/clay tiles.
What they do:
Provide the first line of defense against the elements
Offer curb appeal and style
Protect everything underneath (including insulation and drywall)
Did you know?
Even if your tiles are intact, the underlayment beneath them can fail. That’s why regular inspections matter—especially if your roof is 20+ years old.
🔹 Flashing: The Leak Stopper
What it is:
Thin metal sheeting is placed around vents, skylights, chimneys, walls, and valleys, anywhere water might sneak in.
What it does:
Seals vulnerable roof transitions
Redirects water safely off your roof
Prevents leaks at critical junctions
Common problems we see:
Rusty or lifted flashing from heat expansion
Cracked sealant around flashing edges
Flashing is missing altogether on older roofs
🛑 If your flashing is compromised, even a brand-new roof can leak.
🦊 Protect All 3 With a Free Roof Inspection
At Fox Roofing Company, we check:
âś… Your shingles or tiles
âś… The condition of your underlayment (where visible)
âś… All flashing and roof penetrations
✅ Plus… gutters, roofline, attic, and more
Best of all? Our inspections are:
📸 Photo-documented
đź“‹ Easy to understand
🛑 Zero pressure to buy anything
And of course, every project is backed by our FOX 5 Guarantee:
✔️ On Time
✔️ On Budget
✔️ No Extra Fees
✔️ FOX Warranty
✔️ Or We Pay You $5,000
📅 Ready to Know What’s Really Going On Up There?
đź“ž Call Fox Roofing Company today or book your free inspection online.
The more you know about your roof, the better you can protect your home.
