We know the roofing industry can be a bit confusing at times, so we have compiled a list of “roofing terminology” to give you a better idea of some well used-industry terms.
- Square – Is a unit of measure equaling 100 feet.
- Pitch – Is a numerical measure of the steepness of a roof; it is calculated as every inch the roof will rise for every 12” run.
- Vent – Runs along the ridge of the roof to release trapped heat and vapors, preventing the roof from buckling and deteriorating over time.
- Composition – Another word for Asphalt Shingles.
- Spot Repair – Repairing a small portion of the roof rather than replacing the entire roof.
- Substructure – Underlying structure or any underlying structure that supports or gives strength to the roof, aka decking; commonly plywood.
- Hand Split Shakes – Wood shingles split from a block of wood (normally cedar) using a froe.
- Flashing – Pieces of sheet metal attached around the joints and angles of a roof to protect the roof against leakage.
- Tar Paper – A heavy paper coated or impregnated with tar for use especially in waterproofing roofs.
- Underlayment – A thin layer of paper used as an extra measure of protection against extreme weather, condensation and excessive temperatures.
- Sheathing – Is a protective covering or something that encloses and protects, e.g. a covering of boards on a building’s framework.
- Ice/Water Shield – Is used to protect roofs of homes from being damaged by ice dams that form when water collects on a frozen roof after it rains, causing sags and leaks on the roof.
- Starter Shingles – refers to the first row of shingles that are put on at the bottom of the roof. These overlap the Eave metal and are normally turned upside- down and backwards in order to produce a good straight line along the leading edge of the eave metal.
- Drip Edge – A metal strip that extends beyond the other parts of the roof and is used to direct rainwater off and away.
- Hip and Ridge Cap – Cover of metal, tile, asphalt shingle, et cetera, over the ridge, sealing the joint between the two sides of a pitched roof.
- Silicone Sealant – A flexible and waterproof rubber- like substance normally used to seal roofs to chimneys, walls, et cetera.
- Pipe Boots – A prefabricated flashing piece used to flash around circular pipe penetrations.
- Diverters – Is a shaped slit of metal design that fits at the edge of your roof and keeps rain from falling in areas you want to protect from rain runoff.
- Gutter Guards – Can be made of a number of materials; essentially they cap the gutters to prevent leaves and debris from clogging drainage.
