What is a Roof Cricket | Why Your Roofing System Needs One

A roof cricket is a small, low-profile device that attaches to the edge of your roof and generates new energy.

They are often used in new construction or remodeling projects to reduce our carbon footprint. It also prevents penetrations through the chimney to your roof. A roof cricket helps prevent this.

Roof crickets come in all shapes and sizes; some can be solar powered while others run on electricity.

All roof crickets provide an easy way for homeowners to save money on their monthly bills by generating renewable energy right at home!

What is a Roof Cricket

A roof cricket is a two-dimensional construction built behind a chimney to channel water away from it.

This structure has a lot in common with the cricket that is also called roof, or beam. It’s basically a triangle shape or an arch-shaped roof built over the gable of a building.

The name “roof cricket” is not related to the insect, there are no crickets in a roof cricket. It’s a term used by people who construct this structure.

What is a Roof Cricket Used For?

A roof cricket can be made out of almost any material. It is only limited by the builder’s imagination and budget.

Most frequently it’s made from wood, such as cedar or pine, but some builders also construct it from steel or even concrete.  Roof crickets are used to protect a building against water damage.

This means that it is as important as a chimney and its flue.

If you own any type of structure, such as a home or business property, then be sure to protect it from the elements above and below!

A cricket can be placed on any type of roof; they are often used in combination with a chimney.

What’s the Purpose of a Roof Cricket?

The purpose of a roof cricket is to provide drainage for any roof that has no gutter system or whose gutters are clogged with debris.

It works by diverting water away from your primary structure (the house) and toward another destination (usually an empty field). This diversion saves the building from water damage, which occurs when it is unable to drain properly.

If you have ever seen a huge puddle of water sitting on your roof, then you know what happens next.

The weight of the collected water can warp or even collapse roofs that are not constructed well enough to handle this added weight. Staying away from this problem is the main and most important benefit of cricket.

What’s the Difference Between a Roof Cricket and a Chimney Cricket?

The difference between a roof cricket and chimney cricket lies in their location.

A roof cricket is typically found on top of any roof with no guttering system, while the chimney cricket is placed as an extension of the flue of a chimney.

In addition, roof crickets are usually made out of wood, while chimney crickets are usually constructed out of metal or masonry.

Two Types of Roof Crickets

Roof crickets come in two basic types: canted and inverted roofs. The type you need depends on your structure’s design elements.

A canted cricket is a triangular structure that starts at the top of your roof and slopes down away from your house.

An inverted roof, on the other hand, simply looks like a triangle-shaped roof that has been flipped upside down.

Canted Roof Crickets

Canted roofs are the most commonly used roof crickets. This is because they offer a compromise between water drainage and durability.

They can be made cheaply using basic tools, but they drain away from your home just as well as inverted crickets.

Building a canted cricket is generally more difficult than building an inverted roof cricket, though both require some carpentry experience.

Inverted Roof Crickets

An inverted roof cricket is usually the best choice for a homeowner with high water drainage needs.

They can drain away from your house just as well as a canted cricket, but they are more resilient to wind and ice damage.

This is because of its triangular shape which helps it withstand strong winds that might be found in your particular area.

At the same time, inverted roof crickets are more difficult to construct than canted crickets because they require complex carpentry techniques that are usually only used by experienced builders.

What’s the Best Material for a Roof Cricket?

The best material to use for construction of a cricket is wood. This is because it is durable and can be created much more cheaply than other materials.

Also, this material will naturally blend into the surrounding environment, which makes it environmentally friendly.

Avoid using metal for construction of your cricket if at all possible. Metal crickets are usually quite expensive compared to wooden ones.

They also tend to rust over time due to exposure to the elements. Lastly, metal crickets are not environmentally friendly because they will rust and stain your roof.

Benefits of Having a Roof Cricket

The benefits of having a roof cricket are numerous, but they ultimately boil down to preventing water damage.

This is the most important benefit because it prevents your home from falling victim to mold growth and other types of damaging fungi.

By diverting water away from your house, you can stop any sort of wood rot that might occur due to excess moisture.

A cricket will also keep ice from accumulating on your roof, which can cause any number of problems ranging from damaged shingles to broken gutters.

What are the Drawbacks of Not Having a Cricket?

The main drawback to not installing a cricket is water damage. Without one, your roof will collect water which can leak down into your home and cause serious problems such as mold growth or rot in wooden beams.

If you do not have gutters installed on your house, this is especially dangerous because of the sheer amount of water that can accumulate on your roof.

In addition, ice dams are a serious issue which you will need to resolve if you do not have a cricket installed. Ice dams occur when water flows over the edge of your roof and freezes as it accumulates against the side of your home.

This buildup is dangerous because it can cause serious structural problems and will require expensive repairs if it does.

Most common places to install a cricket are near the peak of the gable wall or further down from there.

However, there are no set rules as to where exactly you should install your cricket. If you have a large roof, then it is best to place the cricket at its lowest point so that water can drain away as quickly as possible.

How do I Know if My Roof Needs a Cricket?

You will need to know whether or not your roof needs a cricket if you are concerned about water damage.

If your home is prone to leaks, then it will probably need a cricket in order to prevent future problems.

Get Your Roof Cricket Installed by An Expert Now!

Roof crickets can be installed by anyone with some carpentry experience and the proper tools for installation.

However, hiring an expert might not be too costly when compared to the price of repairs in case water damage does occur.

You may also be able to find online tutorials or videos that will show you how to install a cricket on your own if you are feeling ambitious.

This might work, but it is probably best just to hire an expert because this task requires some specific carpentry know-how.