The Outer Shell

Shelter is the task of a house's exterior shell: the roofing, siding, windows, doors and related components that provide a barrier between indoors and outdoors.

Today's houses are designed to provide somewhat semi-transparent shelter--the comfort and safety of enclosure without the feeling of being "closed in." To this end, houses incorporate plenty of windows, doors and skylights to bring in natural light, views and a sense of connection with the outdoors.

Roofing, a key part of the house's shell, consists of several components. Finish roofing, roofing felt, and sheathing--in concert with flashing and gutters--create the waterproof surface.

Exterior walls are faced on the outside with some type of durable siding. Beneath the siding, there is often building paper or a house wrap and, depending on the kind of siding, sheathing. Insulation provides an additional barrier to the movement of heat through a wall.

MORE ABOUT:
/ Outer shell / / Exterior materials / / Asphalt shingles / / Roof construction / / Roof surfaces /
/ Thatched roofs / / Roofing materials / / Flashing / / Gutters & drainage / / Gutters & hangers /
/ Exterior walls / / Wood siding systems / / Masonry walls / / Panel sidings / / Conventional stucco /
/ Manufactured siding / / Wood shingle siding / / Architectural detailing / / Attic insulation /
/ Insulation / / Types of insulation / / R-values / / Types of doors / / Exterior doors / / Interior doors /
/ Door construction 1 / / Door construction 2 / / Doorknobs & locks / / Locks & security /
/ Mortise locksets / / Window types 1 / / Window types 2 / / Window parts / / Glazing 1 / / Glazing 2 /
/ Skylights / / Skylight shafts /

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