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Terms:

• CHIMNEY BASE FLASHING:   A corrosion-resistant sheet metal installed at the base of a chimney to prevent leaks.
  
  

• EAVES:   The lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall.
  
  

• FASCIA:  The vertical board at the eaves, oftentimes covered with vinyl or aluminum.
  
  

• HORIZONTAL SIDING:  Provides style and functionality.  Available in various materials, colors, textures and designs.
  
  

• HOUSEWRAP:  Material designed to allow moisture to escape and to prevent air from coming in.
  
  

• LOOKOUT:  A horizontally positioned board used to brace the trusses of a roof
  (see 13.)
  
  

• RAKE:  The outer edge of a roof from the eave to the ridge.
  
  

• RIDGE BEAM:   The top support beam between opposite slopes or sides of a roof.
  
  

• RIDGE SHINGLES:  Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
  
  

• DRIP EDGE:  A narrow strip of non-corrosive, non-staining, finishing material installed along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction.  On eaves where gutters are present, this material is commonly called gutter apron.
  
  

• ROOF SHEATHING (boards):  The structural base of a roof.  Also called the roof deck, or decking.
  
  

• ROOF SHEATHING (plywood):  The structural base of a roof.  Also called the roof deck, or decking.
  
  

• ROOF TRUSS (rafters):  The framework that supports a roof.
  
  

• SHINGLE SIDING:   A siding option typically manufactured from red cedar, which weathers to a silvery gray or medium brown, depending on local climate; and white cedar, which weathers to a silvery gray.
  
  

• SHINGLES:  The outermost covering of a roof.  Composition shingles are manufacured from materials "composed" of fiberglass, modified asphalt and mineral granules.  Wood shingles and shakes (shakes are split rather than sawn) are made from western red cedar.  Other roofing options include clay and concrete tiles, slate, metal, mineral roll roofing, and tar and gravel.
  
  

• SOFFIT:  The finished underside of the eaves.  Soffit panels are available in wood, vinyl and aluminum.
  
  

• STEP FLASHING:  A corrosion-resistant sheet metal used to waterproof the angle between a chimney, skylight, dormer, etc. and a sloping roof.
  
  

• UNDERLAYMENT:  An asphalt-impregnated felt laid under most roofing materials as a secondary water barrier.  Felt is classified by weight per "square," (100 sq. ft.) usually 15 or 30-pound.  Underlayment is also called tar paper or felt.
  
  

• VALLEY:  The intersection of two sloping roofs joining at an angle to provide water runoff.
  
  

• VALLEY FLASHING:  Made from aluminum or galvanized steel, this additional water barrier is installed after the roof and valley have been covered with underlayment.
  
  

• VENT FLASHING:  A flat piece of pre-cut sheet metal installed on top of the underlayment to prevent leaks from occurring where roof vents are present.
  
  

• VERTICAL PANEL SIDING:  Plain, patterned, or grooved panels of plywood or hardboard that provide style and functionality.
  
  

• WALL SHEATHING:  The first covering of boards on the outside wall of a frame house.
  
  

• WALL STUD:  An upright piece of wood used to frame a house and support the walls of the structure.
  

• Area Divider - A flashed assembly usually extending above the surface of the roof that is anchored to the roof deck. It is used to relieve thermal stresses in a roof system where an expansion joint is not required, or to separate large roof areas.

• Asphalt Shingles - Composition roof shingles made from asphalt-impregnated felt covered with mineral granules.

• Boxed Eave - Horizontal overhang that runs from the eaves edge to the side of the building.

• Cornice - The top set of moldings just below a roofline, usually consisting of a fascia board, a soffit and appropriate trim moldings.

• Dormer Rafter - Roof rafters, which frame the dormer roof.

• Dormers - Create additional openings in your roof and are classified by a variety of styles associated with roof shapes. (Gabled, hipped, shed, etc.)

• Dutch Hip Roof - Roof with the upper gable ends of the roof being built with a short hip section.

• Eave Details - The part of a roof which projects out from the side wall, projecting the edge of the roof.

• Fascia - Horizontal band or board that runs along the eaves of a roof.

• Flashing - Metal strips, used to prevent water seepage, and installed around chimney, vents, windows, doors, and skylights, along seams in the roof and beneath shingles. The purpose of flashing is to prevent the penetration of water as well as to provide a drainage passageway between joints, most commonly the joint between a roof and a wall.

• Gables - Roof sections facing in separate direction from the actual roof, forming a triangular wall segment. They are often used as an opening for a window.

• Hip - When two roofing planes form a fold or vertical ridge.

• Rake - The inclined portion of a cornice. They can be close or extended.

• Re-roofing - The procedure of installing a new roof system.

• Ridge Shingles - Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

• Roof Deck - That component in building construction, which forms a platform on which the remainder of the B.U.R.M. components are placed.

• Roof Dormers - A section that extends up from the main roofline and forms a miniature house, containing a window, lights, walls, and a roof.

• Roof Run - The vertical rise of a roof over a certain horizontal distance (run).

• Roof Sheathing - Flat boards which are nailed to the rafters on the top of a house, to which tar paper and then shingles are attached.

• Roof Truss - A triangular structure used to support a roof. Multiple trusses are used to assemble the framework for a roof.

• Roof - The exterior surface on the top of a building.

• Valley - When two roofing planes meet at the bottom of their pitch to form a valley.

• Wall Dormers - A section that extends up from the main roofline and looks much like a gable, but with walls.

Roof Pitch

• Low Slope - Roof pitches that are less than 30 degrees.

• Normal Slope - Roof pitches that are between 30 and 45 degrees.

• Steep Slope - Roof pitches that are more than 45 degrees.

Roof Styles

• Barrel Roof - A roof configuration with a partial cylindrical shape to it..

• Built Up Roof - Roof composed of multiple layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch or asphalt with a top layer of crushed slag or gravel. Normally issued on flat roofs or those with very slight slope.

• Butterfly Roof - A roof assembly which pitches sharply from either side toward the center.

• Gambrel - A roof that has two different pitches.

• Pavilion Roof - Hip roof with the length of both hips being equal.

• Pyramid Roof - Roof having four triangular sides forming a point at the top of a pyramid. A pyramid roof is primarily used for steeples on top of churches or certain public buildings.

Batten: Also referred to as Purlins, see Purlin or Purloin. Batten or Purlins can be 1"x2"x4' wood strips nailed to the roof or rafters, upon which the roofing is attached. In some instances they are also steel lengths measuring about an inch or so wide that have an elevated middle where one screws the metal roofing into. Sometimes called “hat channel” because of its shape. Battens or purlins are attached to roof decking to give a secure base to anchor the roofing materials to because many OSB (chip board sheets appearing much like plywood) will not hold a screws properly.

 

Caulk: To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.
Chalk line: A line made on the roof by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes.

Class "A": The highest fire-resistance rating for roofing. Indicates roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Class "B": Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing materials are able to withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Class "C": Fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing materials are able to withstand light exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

Collar/Boot: Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a pipe boot.

Counter flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

Cricket: A peaked saddle construction at the back of a chimney to prevent accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water around the chimney.

Deck: Also known as Decking. The surface installed over the supporting framing members of a building. It is the structural "skin" of a roof over which roofing in applied. Most new homes have decking made of plywood. There are four main types of decking commonly used on residential roofing projects:

• Plywood: Plywood is strong, durable, and light. It comes in many grades with ratings from A to D. Use only exterior grade plywood for decking. The thickness of plywood depends on the spacing of the rafters.

• OSB: Oriented strand board (OSB) is cheaper than plywood, but not as strong as plywood, and does not hold nails as well as plywood. One side has a slip resistant coating and should be placed facing up.

• Tongue and groove 2-by-6: If a roof will be seen from the inside (no ceiling installed), tongue and groove is used. It is a wood decking that provides great insulation without additional rigid roof insulation in moderate climates. Also, the boards can be painted or stained on the inside to match the interior.

Dormer: A framed window unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof.

Drip edge: A non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction. Some eave trims have a built in drip edge.

Trim that goes here is called “drip trim”.

Eaves: The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.
Trim that goes on these areas is referred to as “eave trim”,"eave flashing" or sometimes “drip edge”. (We use the term “eave trim”).

Felt: A flexible sheet that is saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment, sometimes called "tar paper"

Flashing: Pieces of special trim used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys.

• Plumbing vent flashing (see collar/boot): Plumbing vent flashing prevents rainwater from running into holes cut for pipes in the roof. This flashing is sold according to the size of the vent pipe and the roof angle. Roofing material is installed over the flashing.

• Step flashing: Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane.

• Valley flashing: This flashing is used in open valleys of the roof. Most often leaks are found in the valley flashings due to flashing that is nailed to tightly to the decking or panels that are not trimmed far enough off the flashing.

Flashing cement: In the application of metal roofing, flashing cement is usually a clear silicone caulk (purchase the best grade available). This is used to further seal any potential leaks, usually at areas wherein flashing was applied. A small bead of flashing cement where the flashing comes in contact with a vertical wall is a good idea.

Gable: The upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.
Trim that goes on this part of a roof is called “gable or rake trim”. We use the term “gable trim”.

Gable roof: A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at each end. Also see this link: Types of Roofs.

Gambrel roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Contains a gable at each end. Also see this link: Types of Roofs.

Hip: The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.

Hip roof: A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each of four sides. This type of roof does not contain a gable(s). Also see this link: Types of Roofs.

Ice dam: Ice dams occur when snow melts near the ridgelines of warm roofs (roofs without adequate ventilation). As the water runs down the roof to the overhang, it cools and freezes. If the snow continues this melt and freeze process, an ice dam can form that can seep under the shingles, through the decking and into the house. This, of course, can cause serious roof leaks--even in freezing temperatures.

The best prevention to ice dams is a well-ventilated (cool) roof. Additional protection for your roof can be applied with an impermeable ice and water membrane. The membrane is installed on top of the decking, under the roofing material. Temporary prevention of ice dams can also be done through the use of electric cables along the eaves of the roof (where the dams usually form). However, new ice dams can form above the cables and still cause extensive damage. Another emergency solution to ice dams is to fill a sock or nylon with calcium chloride. Lay the stocking vertically across the ice dam. The calcium chloride will melt the ice and release the water so that it can drain outside, and not inside your roof.

Intake Ventilation: The part of a ventilation system used to draw fresh air in. Usually vents installed in the soffit or along the eaves of a building.

Lean-to roof: A roof with one slope only that is built against a higher wall.

Low slope application: Method of installing roofing material on roof slopes between one and two inches per foot.

Mansard roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each of four sides. The lower plane has a much steeper pitch than the upper, often approaching vertical. This type of roof contains no gables. Also see this link: Types of Roofs.

Metal drip edge: This refers to trim, usually gable and eave trim, that has a slight bend at the edge which facilitates water runoff, away from the building. All our eave and gable trims contain this feature.

Open valley: Method of roofing in which the roofing material on both sides of the valley is trimmed along a chalk line snapped on each side of the valley, leaving the valley flashing exposed. Metal roofing always has this feature .

Overhang: That portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.

Pitch: Also known as "slope", pitch is the measure of how "steep" a roof is. For example, if a roof is a 4/12 pitch, the roof rises 4 inches for every horizontal run of 12 inches. The pitch of the roof is a big factor in determining the kinds of materials that can be used and the longevity of the roof. Usually, a steeper roof (higher pitch) will last longer due to its better drainage capabilities.

• Steep slope application: Method of installing roofing material on roof slopes greater than 21 inches per foot.

• Normal slope application: Method of installing roofing materials on roof slopes between 4 inches and 21 inches per foot.

• Low slope application: Method of installing roofing materials on roof slopes between two and four inches per foot.

Asphalt: A waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during manufacturing.

Asphalt plastic roofing cement: An asphalt-based sealant used to bond roofing materials. Also known as flashing cement, roof tar, bull or mastic.

Back surfacing: Granular material applied to the back side of shingles to keep them from sticking during delivery and storage.

Base flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck to direct the flow of water onto the roof.

Built-up roof: Multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets bonded together.

Butt edge: The bottom edge of the shingle tabs.

Caulk: To fill a joint to prevent leaks.

Closed valley: The valley flashing is covered by shingles.

Coating: A layer of viscous asphalt applied to the outer roof surface to protect the roof membrane.

Collar: Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.

Concealed nail method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are covered by a cemented, overlapping course.

Counter flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface above the plane of the roof to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

Course: Row of shingles that can run horizontally, diagonally or vertically.

Cricket: A peaked water diverter installed at the back of a chimney to prevent accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water.

Deck: The top surface of which a roof system is applied, surface installed over the supporting framing members.

Double coverage: Asphalt roofing whose lapped portion is at least two inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of roofing material over the deck.

Downspout: A pipe for draining water from roof gutters to drain. Also called a leader.

Drip edge: L-shaped flashing used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off into the gutters and to drip clear of underlying construction.

Eave: The part of the roof that overhangs or extends outward and is not directly over the exterior walls or the buildings interior.

Exposed nail method: Application of roll roofing where nails are driven into the overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the elements.

Fascia: A wood trim board used to hide the cut ends of the roof's rafters and sheathing.

Felt: Fibrous material used as an underlayment or sheathing paper, describes roll roofing materials.

Flashing: Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to form water seal around vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys.

Gable: The end of an exterior wall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.

Granules: Ceramic-coated and fired crushed rock that is applied as the top surface of asphalt roofing products.

Gutter: The trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts. Usually attached to the fascia. Head lap: An overlapping of shingles or roofing felt at their upper edge.

Hip: The fold or vertical ridge formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves. 

Ice dam: Condition forming water back-up at the eave areas by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water under shingles, causing leaks.

Interlocking shingles: Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.

Laminated shingles: Strip shingles made of two separate pieces laminated together to create extra thickness. Also called three-dimensional and architectural shingles.

Lap: Surface where one shingle or roll overlaps with another during the application process.

Mansard roof: A design with a nearly vertical roof plane connected to a roof plane of less slope at its peak. Contains no gables.

Mineral stabilizers: Finely ground limestone, slate, traprock or other inert materials added to asphalt coatings for durability and increased resistance to fire and weathering.

Nesting: A method of reroofing, installing a second layer of new asphalt shingles, in which the top edge of the new shingle is butted against the bottom edge of the existing shingle tab.

Pitch: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span, in feet.  Low Slope :Roof pitches that are less than 30 degrees. Normal Slope - Roof pitches that are between 30 and 45 degrees. Steep Slope - Roof pitches that are more than 45 degrees.

Rafter: The supporting framing that makes up the roof structure; immediately beneath the deck; the roof sheathing is nailed to the rafters.

Rake: The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall from the eave to the ridge. They can be close or extended.

Ridge: The horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping sides of a roof at the highest point of the roof, hip or dormer.

Run: The horizontal distance between the eaves and a point directly under the ridge; or one half the span.

Selvage: That portion of roll roofing overlapped by the application of the roof covering to obtain double coverage.

Sheathing: Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.

Shed roof: A single roof plane with no hips, ridges, valleys or gables, not connected to any other roofs.

Slope: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in inches, to the run, in feet.

Smooth-surfaced roofing: Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules (coated).

Soffit: The finished underside of the eaves that extends from the fascia to the siding and hides the bottom of an overhang.

Soil stack: A vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Span: The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

Specialty eaves flashing membrane: A self-adhering, waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect against water infiltration due to ice dams or wind driven rain.

Starter strip: Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves as the first course of shingles installed.

Tab: The weather exposed surface of strip shingles between the cutouts.

Telegraphing: Shingles installed over an uneven surface that show distortion. Truss - A combination of beams, bars and ties, usually in triangular units to form a framework for support in wide span roof construction.

UL label: Label displayed on packaging to indicate the level of fire and/or wind resistance of asphalt roofing. Underlayment: A layer of asphalt based rolled materials installed under main roofing material before shingles are installed to provide additional protection for the deck.

Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two inclined roof surfaces to provide water runoff.

Vapor barrier/retarder: Any material that prevents the passage of water or water vapor through it. Vent: Any device installed on the roof as an outlet for air to ventilate the underside of the roof deck.

Asphalt/Composition Shingles:     There are two basic types of “comp shingles”. Organic-base asphalt shingles are comprised of a felt mat made of wood and paper fibers covered top and bottom with protective layers of asphalt, then coated on top with mineral granules of various colors. The more popular fiberglass-base asphalt shingles substitute a fiberglass mat, making them more fire resistant.  Available in many attempts to simulate traditional roofing materials such as shake and slate, by adding layers of material for depth and shadow effects, asphalt shingles are popular as an inexpensive roofing solution and relatively easy to install.

Plastic/Rubber Products:     Products of this type are generally composed of the following materials:  polyurethane, polyethylene, EPDM rubber, TPOC plastic, reinforced vinyl, or recycled plastic/rubber, and then molded in various colors to desired profiles attempting to resemble shakes, slate or ceramic tile.  These roof coverings tend to be the most technologically innovative and long lived, but may require special tools, techniques and training for proper installation.

Ceramic Tile:     Composed of finely powdered shale mixed with water, then extruded to the desired profile, allowed to dry and then kiln fired, clay tiles are available in a variety of traditional colors and styles often seen in Florida, California, and southwestern states.  They require experienced craftsmen for installation and are fire, wind and UV resistant.    

Concrete Tile:    Concrete tile is composed of Portland cement, sand, and water, mixed in varying proportions.  The mixture is extruded into individual molds to form tiles in a variety of colors and in profiles such as shake, slate and other historic styles.  They provide excellent fire and wind resistance, though some may require special installation for maximum performance in high wind areas.  They are usually sprayed with a clear acrylic sealer to retard moisture absorption.  Lightweight concrete tile may be available in your area at 560 to 720 lbs. per 100 square feet.  It will contain filler materials to accomplish this lighter weight.  Standard concrete tile weighs 900 to 1300 lbs. per 100 square feet.

Metal Shake Tiles/Panels:    Primarily perceived as a commercial roofing product, metal is now being formed to simulate traditional residential roof coverings in various colors and profiles.  Metal products are long lasting, lightweight, fire resistant, and some are available with a stone coating imbedded in the surface to give them a more aesthetically pleasing visual texture.  Specially fastened systems may be required for wind resistance.

Slate:    Quarried in the northeastern U.S. and numerous other countries, slate is a premium high cost roofing material requiring specially skilled and experienced tradesmen to install.  A slate roof lends the aura of high quality and provides classic beauty as well as excellent fire, wind, and UV resistance.

Wood Shingles/Shakes:    Most wood shakes and shingles are cut from Western red cedar, but are also available in Eastern cedar, redwood, cypress, oak or pine on a limited basis.  They may be treated with preservative and/or fire resistant chemicals.  Thick (to 1”) wood roofing products are available in hand-split or sawn surface textures.  The thinner wood shingle always has a sawn appearance.  All wood roof coverings are available in different quality “grades”, are lightweight when dry, and are relatively easy to install.  A wood shake appearance continues to be the look of choice for the majority of U.S. roofs, regardless of material type.

Asphalt - A waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during manufacture.

Battens - Parallel strips of wood, fastened to the roof deck, to which roof coverings are sometimes applied.

Blow-off - A condition in which roofing  flap up and down with the wind, and finally blow off the roof entirely.

Bundle - A one-man manageable package of roof covering.

Butt end - The lower edge of a roofing shake or the thicker end of a tapered shake.

Course - A horizontal row of roll underlayment on roof covering running the length of a roof segment.

Deck - The surface (generally of plywood) installed over roof framing to which roofing underlayment and roof coverings is applied.

Dormer - A small structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with a window in the gable end.

Efflorescence - White residue that leaches out of concrete based materials.

Exposure - The portion of a roof covering unit exposed to the weather after installation, usually expressed in inches.

Eave - The lower horizontal edge of a sloped roof where it extends past an exterior wall.

Felt - Organic fiber mat impregnated with asphalt and used as an underlayment.

Flashing - Sheet metal (usually) laid into the joints and valleys of a roof to prevent water seepage.

Gable - The upper portion of an endwall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof. 

 

Gable roof - A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge.

Gambrel roof - A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch  on each side of the ridge.  The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper.  Contains a gable at each end.

                                              
Hip - The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.  Runs from the ridge to the eaves.    

Hip roof - A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each of four sides.

 

Ice dam - Condition formed by the thawing and refreezing of melted snow, especially at the lower roof edge on the roof overhang and in gutters.  Can cause water to pond and flow and under roof covering causing leaks.

Laminated shingles - Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create extra thickness.  Also called three-dimensional shingles or architectural shingles.

Lap - To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.

Mansard roof - A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each of four sides.  The lower plane has a much steeper pitch than the upper, often approaching vertical.  Contains no gables.

Overhang - The portion of a roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.

Pallet - Wooden platform used for storing and shipping bundles of roofing material.

Rafter - The supporting framing member immediately below beneath the roof deck, sloping from the ridge down to the top of the exterior wall.

Rake - The inclined edge of a sloped roof over an exterior wall. 

Ridge - The uppermost horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Rise - The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge.

Roll roofing - Roofing products manufactured in roll form.

Roof Covering - Exterior roofing materials (such as shingles or shakes) that protect the sheathing. The visible component of the installed roof.

Roof Structure - Rafters and trusses that support the roof.

Run - The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge.

Shading - Slight differences in color between individual roof covering units resulting from normal manufacturing.

Sheathing - Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.

Shed roof - A roof containing only one sloping plane.  Has no hips, ridges, valleys or gables.

Slope/pitch -  The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise to the run (rise/run, rise over run), or as the degrees up from the horizontal.

Square - A unit of roof measurement equaling 100 square feet of roof area.

Starter - Roofing material applied at the eaves that provides protection by filling in the space below the first course of roof covering. Usually required to be of the same material as the roof covering.

Strip shingles - Asphalt shingles that are approximately three times as wide as they are long.

UL - Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Underlayment - Product used beneath roof covering to provide primary moisture protection for the roof deck.

Valley - The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Roofing Terminology   Deck: A structural component of the roof. The deck supports the design, dead, and live loads, including the weight of the roof system, and additional live loads (ie. snow etc.) as set forth (required by) in building codes. The deck also provides the substrate to which the roofing or waterproofing system is applied to the structural surface of a building. Decks can be non combustible, metal, concrete, gypsum, or combustible, wood, plywood, osb etc. Dormer: Pop up from the main roofline, like a small house with its own walls, roof, and window. Roof dormers provide light, added space, and ventilation to the topmost spaces in the house. Eave: The lower part of a roof that overhangs the walls. Flashing: Sheet metal used in waterproofing roof valleys or hips or the angle between a chimney and a roof. Gable: Triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge. Hip: The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof that have their wall plates running in different directions. Rake: The pitched edge of a gable roof. Rakes may be close, or extend from the building to allow for an overhang. Ridge: The line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof. Roofing Square: A 10' x 10' area that equals 100 sq. ft. Underlayment: An asphalt saturated felt, or other sheet type material installed between the roof deck and other roofing materials. Underlayments are also a second line of defense in shedding water on steep sloped roofs. Valley: A change in roof direction, where two planes meet at the bottom of their pitch to make a valley with two steep slopes running up and away from it. Vent: Any outlet for air that protrudes through the roof deck such as a pipe or stack. Any device installed on the roof, gable or soffit for the purpose of ventilating the underside of the roof deck.

 

Aggregate: Loose surfacing material or ballast for a roof system.

Back surfacing: Fine mineral matter applied to the back side of shingles to keep them from sticking.

Base flashing: The portion of the flashing that directs the flow of water onto the roof covering.

Battens: 1" x 2" x 4' wood strips nailed to the roof.

Bundle: A package of shingles. There are 3 to 5 bundles per square (see square).

Caulk: To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.

Class "A": The highest fire-resistance rating for roofing

Concealed nail method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the underlying course of roofing and covered by a cemented, overlapping course. Nails are not exposed to the weather.

Course: A row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof.

Coverage: Amount of weather protection provided by the roofing material, i.e., single coverage, double coverage, etc.

Deck: The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.

Dimensional shingle: a shingle that is textured, overlayed, or laminated and designed to produce a three-dimensional effect.

Fascia: Horizontal trim at the eaves that covers the rafter ends.

Flashing: Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof.

Interlocking shingles: Shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.

Laminated shingles: Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create extra thickness.

Life-cycle cost: The total lifetime cost of a roof. Calculated by adding maintenance costs to the installed price, then deducting the added value the roof provides when the home is resold.

Nesting: A method of re-roofing with new asphalt shingles over old shingles.

Non-prorated warranty: A warranty which provides full replacement costs for covered items.

Organic shingle: An asphalt shingle reinforced with organic cellulose fibers.

Pitch: Also known as "slope", pitch is the measure of how "steep" a roof is.

Prorated warranty: A prorated warranty reimburses a percentage of replacement costs, depending on the age of the roof.

Rake: The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall from the eave to the ridge.

Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle of the roof

Rise: The vertical distance from the eave line to the ridge.

Soil stack: A vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Span: The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

Square: A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet. Roofing prices are often provided per square.

Tear off: Removing an existing roof system.

Telegraphing: A shingle distortion that may arise when a new roof is applied over an uneven surface.

Underlayment: A layer of asphalt which is laid down on a bare deck before shingles are installed.