Asphalt Shingles: A type of roofing material prepared with asphalt, which is commonly used for residential roofs.
Blistering: Bubbles or swelling in the roofing material caused by moisture trapped in it.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR): A roofing system composed of multiple layers of roofing felt and asphalt.
Dormer: A structure containing a window that projects from a sloping roof.
Eaves: The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the wall.
Fascia: Trim board along the roofline.
Flashing: Thin pieces of metal inserted in roof transitions to provide waterproofing.
Gable: Triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches.
Gutter: Channel attached to the edge of the roof to collect and divert rainwater.
Hip Roof: A roof that slopes downwards on all sides towards the walls.
Ice Dam: Ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, preventing proper drainage.
Joist: A horizontal structural member that supports the roof decking.
Laminated Shingles: These asphalt shingles have multiple layers to make them more durable.
Membrane Roofing: Roofing system consisting of sheets or rolls of material for waterproofing.
Pitch: the angle of a roof slope expressed as a ratio of rise to run.
Rafter: A sloping beam that supports the roof covering.
Ridge: The highest point where two roof slopes meet.
Soffit: The underside of the eaves that extends from the fascia to the wall.
Tar Paper: Heavy-duty paper used as an underlayment for roofing materials.
Underlayment: A material installed under the roofing material to provide added protection.
Valley: An internal angle where two roof slopes meet.
Vent Pipe: The pipe that extends through the roof to provide ventilation.
Woven Valley: A method of roofing valleys in which shingles from both sides of the valley overlap each other.
Asphalt Roofing: A roofing material made from asphalt and fiberglass or organic materials.
Bird’s Mouth: The notch cut into a rafter to fit over the wall plate.
Counterflashing: Metal installed over roof-wall intersections to prevent water ingress.
Drip Edge: A metal flashing installed at the edge of a roof to direct water away from the fascia.
EPDM: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. A single-ply rubber roofing membrane.
Flange: A projecting rim or edge used for attaching roofing components.
Hip Ridge: The ridge resulting from the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Lath: Thin strips of wood that roofing materials are attached to.
Mansard Roof: A roof with two slopes on all four sides, the lower slope is steeper than the upper.
Parapet: Low protective wall along the edge of a roof.
Rake: The sloped edge of a gable roof.
Saddle: A small roof section connecting two larger roof sections.
Tab: Exposed portion of a roofing material, such as a shingle.
Underlayment: A material placed under the main roofing material to provide extra protection.
Valley Flashing: Metal installed in valleys to direct the flow of water.
Weathering: The process of deterioration of a roofing material by exposure to the elements.
Asphalt Roll Roofing: A roofing material composed of asphalt-impregnated felt.
Barge Board: Decorative board covering the projecting edges of a gable roof.
Cricket: A small ridge structure designed to divert water from a roof area.
Dormer Window: A window set vertically in a small projection from a sloping roof.
Eaves Overhang: the extension of the roof beyond the walls of a structure.
Felt Underlayment: Asphalt-saturated felt used as an underlayment for roofing materials.
Gambrel Roof: A roof with two slopes on each side; the upper slope is shallower than the lower.
Ice and Water Shield: A self-adhering membrane that prevents ice dams from occurring.
Lap: That part of a roofing material that overlaps another piece.
Pitch Pocket: Flashed penetration in a roof to accommodate pipes or other elements.
Rafter Tails: The ends of rafters that are exposed beyond exterior walls of a building. Last Updated: 03/08/2024