We recently covered how knowing just enough about your roofing project can save you thousands in the long run. In addition to knowing about the roofing project itself, it’s important to learn roof terms and definitions as well.

With this information in hand, you will be able to better understand what your roofing contractor is talking about and make an informed decision on who to trust.

With the more information you have under your belt, the better you can vet your roofing contractor. Without further ado, let’s get to started on the A to Z guide of roofing terms:

A

Asphalt: A common agency used in many roofing materials due to its bituminous waterproofing properties.
B

Back surfacing: When applied to the back of shingles, this fine mineral material prevents them from sticking to one another.

Built-up roof: Asphalt and ply sheets are layered on one another to create a flat or low-slope roof.

Bundle: The shingles package that comes in 3, 4 or 5 per square.
C

Counter flashing: Used to prevent any water from getting behind the base flashing. Often attached to a vertical surface.

Course: A horizontal row of shingles running across the length of the roof.
D

Decking: Sheet material attached to your attic’s rafter that will serve as the base of the for your roof’s underlayment and shingles.

Downspout: A pipe attached to your gutters and moves water to a different location away from your home.

Drip edge: This metal strip prevents water run off from dripping into the decking, eaves, or siding. This prevents moisture from building up in the fascia boards.
E

Eave: The area on your rood’s underside that goes from your fascia boards to the exterior walls.

Edging strips: Provides secure edge during process of removing wood shingles and reroofing with asphalt shingles. Boards are attached to eaves and rakes after the wood shingles are removed.
F

Fascia: These exposed boards encase the end of your roof’s rafter and allow the gutter to be attached to your roof.

Flashing: Installed metal prevents water from moving into intersections or projects in your roof’s system, such as joints, valleys, etc.
G

Gable: On the ridge of a sloping roof, this is the exterior wall that comes to a triangular point.

Granules: These crushed rocks are applied to the outer surface of asphalt products. Their color comes from ceramic coating.
H

Hip: Running from the ridge to eaves, an inclined angle is formed at the intersection of sloping roof planes.

Hip roof: This roof type has the same sloping planes on all sides of the roof and does not feature gables.
I

Interlocking shingles: Shingles are mechanically fastened to one another and offer superior wind resistance.
L

Laminate Shingles: Rather than a single cut, two pieces of shingle are laminated to one another.

Louvers: Slants and/or strips are installed in gables to ensure ventilation is available below the roof deck.
M

Mansard roof: A type of roof where each slope becomes steeper halfway down the side.
N

Natural ventilation: This ventilation system features vents installed in openings to allow natural air flow to create ventilation in the attic.
O

Overhang: An extension of the roof beyond the exterior walls of your home.
P

Peel and Stick: A self-adhering roof membrane that can be used directly on roof decks or utilized to secure an underlayment.

Pitch: The ratio of rise to span (in feet) that describes the degree of roof incline.
Q

Quick-setting cement: An asphalt-based cement used to secure shingles and roofing laps.
R

Rafter: The roof deck is attached to this supporting frame. Often visible in unfinished attics.

Ridge: The top edge of two intersecting sloping roof surfaces. This is the edge of roof surfaces that have interesting slopes.

Rise: Often in feet, this is the vertical distance between your eaves and ridge.
S

Self-sealing shingles: Manufacturer applies self-sealing adhesive to the shingles in strips or spots.

Shed roof: This single sloping plane roof does not feature any valleys, gables, ridges, or hips.

Soffit: Visible only when looking up, this is the finished underside of your eaves.

Starter Strip: Fills in spaces created by cutouts and joints on the first course of shingles. It provides extra protection to your roof.
T

Tab: These are exposed strip shingles that are defined by their cutouts.

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

Underlayment: Installed beneath shingles, it adds an extra layer of protection from inclement weather.
V

Valley: A “V” shaped depression is formed when sloped roof planes intersect. .

Vent: Protrudes from the roof deck to provide an outlet for air during ventilation. Often installed on the roof itself, gable, or soffit.
W

Woven valley: Shingles on both sides of the valley extend from one end to the other and are overlapped together in a woven pattern. This prevents the valley flashing from being exposed.

Use Your Newfound Roofing Terms Knowledge To Your Advantage

Now that you have a better understanding of the common roofing terms you will hear your roofing contractor mention, you can make the most information decision on who to trust with your roofing project. You should keep this post bookmarked, so you have it handy when you need it.

Our team is still open and working on residential or commercial projects during this COVID-19 era, and we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.

Contact me to get started on your free no obligation quote in New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, and beyond today!

– Ryan Listerman, Project Manager