Roofing Glossary – Essential Terms You Should Know
Comprehensive Glossary – Key Terms & Definitions
#
3 Tab Roofing Shingles: A older design that was popular in the 60 and 70s yet is still used today but are obsolete.
A
Absorption: The process by which roofing materials take in moisture, impacting longevity and performance.
Air Barrier: A material that prevents airflow through the roof assembly, improving energy efficiency.
Aluminum Roofing: A lightweight, corrosion-resistant roofing material ideal for coastal areas.
Apex: The highest point of a roof where two slopes meet.
Applique: A decorative or protective layer added to roofing materials.
Arched Roof: A curved roof design that enhances structural strength and aesthetics.
Asbestos Roof Shingles: Not manufacture more but sometimes are still found on roofs today. Will require special care to take off and dispose.
Asphalt Shingles: Popular roofing materials known for their durability and variety.
Attic Ventilation: The process of allowing air to circulate in the attic to prevent moisture buildup.
B
Backwater Valve: A valve that prevents sewage from flowing back into the house.
Ballast: A layer of gravel or stones used on flat roofs to hold down membranes.
Barrel Roof: A rounded roof style resembling a barrel, often used for architectural interest.
Batten: A strip of material used to secure roofing, preventing wind uplift.
Beam: A structural component that supports the roof and distributes weight.
Best Roofing shingles: The best shingles are usually class 4 impact and come with longer warranties.
Birds mouth Cut: A notch cut into a rafter to provide a secure fit.
Blistering: Bubbles in roofing materials due to trapped moisture or heat.
Black Metal Roof: 26-gauge steel painted black standing seam.
Blue Roof Shingles: Shingles that have blue like color that a few specific brands produce.
Bonding: The process of adhering roofing materials together to prevent leaks.
Burnished slate metal roof: Brown like in color standing seam metal.
C
Cap Sheet: The top layer in a built-up roofing system.
Ceiling Joists: Structural elements that support the ceiling and roof.
Chimney Flashing: Material installed around the base of a chimney to prevent leaks.
Cleat: A metal strip used to hold down roofing materials.
Composite Roofing: Roofing made from a blend of materials mimicking wood or slate.
Counter Flashing: A type of flashing that covers base flashing for added protection.
Cricket: A small structure built behind a chimney to direct water away.
Decking: The structural layer of a roof to which materials are attached.
Drip Cap: Flashing at the top of a window or door to direct water away.
D
Drip Edge: A metal flashing that directs water away from the roof’s edge.
Double-Lap Shingle: A shingle installation method for added waterproofing.
E
Eaves: The lower edges of a roof that overhang the walls.
Eave Trough: Another term for the eaves, directing rainwater.
Exposure: The portion of the roofing material that is visible once installed.
F
Fire Rating: A classification indicating how well roofing materials resist fire.
Flashing: Material used at joints to prevent water infiltration.
Flute: Grooves in some roofing materials that enhance drainage.
G
Gable End: The triangular end of a building formed by sloping roof sections.
Gable Roof: A roof style with two sloping sides meeting at a peak.
Granules: Colored stones embedded in asphalt shingles for UV protection.
H
Header: A structural beam above doorways or openings.
Hip Roof: A roof style where all sides slope down toward the walls.
I
Ice Dam: A ridge of ice blocking water from draining off the roof.
Interlocking Shingles: Shingles designed to fit together securely to reduce wind uplift.
K
K-Style: A common shape for gutters often mentioned in discussions of roof drainage.
L
Lap: The overlap of roofing materials to ensure a watertight seal.
Low-Slope Roof: A roof with a pitch of less than 3:12.
M
Mansard Roof: A four-sided roof providing extra living space in the attic.
Modified Bitumen: A roofing membrane that enhances asphalt roof durability.
N
Nailing Strip: A strip on which shingles are fastened for secure attachment.
Nail Gun: A tool used to quickly drive nails into roofing materials.
O
Overlay: Installing new roofing over existing materials without removal.
P
Parapet: A low wall at the edge of a roof for aesthetics and protection.
Pitch: The steepness of a roof, expressed as a ratio.
Pitch Pocket: A space filled with sealant around pipe penetrations to prevent water intrusion.
R
Rafter: A structural member that supports the roof.
Ridge Board: A board at the peak of the roof to which rafters are attached.
Ridge Vent: A vent installed along the roof peak for ventilation.
Rooftop Unit (RTU): An air conditioning system located on the roof of a building.
S
Soffit: The material covering the underside of eaves.
Skylight: A window installed in the roof for natural light.
Snow Guard: Devices installed to prevent snow and ice from sliding off the roof.
T
Tar and Gravel: A traditional flat roofing system for durability.
Tapered Insulation: Sloped insulation on flat roofs for drainage.
Tile Roofing: A durable roofing material made from clay or concrete.
V
Valley: The angle formed by the intersection of two roof slopes, directing water flow.
Vent Pipe: A pipe that allows air to enter the plumbing system, preventing vacuum.
W
Waterproofing: The process of making a roof resistant to water intrusion.
Wind Uplift: The force of wind attempting to lift roofing materials off a structure.
Z
Z-Bar Flashing: A type of flashing that provides a continuous seal against water intrusion.