Glossary of Common Terms Used by Roofing Companies

Most roofing companies employ experienced professionals who use industry-specific jargon on a daily basis.

Think back to your last interaction with a roofer. Most roofing companies employ experienced professionals who use industry-specific jargon on a daily basis. You were likely inundated by a breadth of roofing vocabulary terms when speaking to one of these professionals. You might have nodded your head in agreement to speed up the conversation. Maybe you asked a few questions. Take a look at our glossary of roofing terms, and your next interaction with a professional roofer will prove to be much clearer and more useful.

Glossary of Common Terms Used by Roofing Companies

Asphalt Shingle: A shingle produced by coating a fibrous or felt glass mat with asphalt. Mineral granules are placed on the side exposed to the elements.

Blistering: A reference to the bubbles in roofing materials. Blistering is commonly caused by the existence of moisture below or inside these materials.

Blow-offs: Strong winds that force shingles off the roof deck.

Buckling: The wrinkles that affect shingles and/or underlying materials.

Caulking: The sealing of a juncture or joint. Can also refer to using a sealant to weather-tight joints, voids, or seams between neighboring surfaces.

Closed Valley: A valley in which shingles cover flashing.

Counter Flashing: The siding or metal positioned above the roof’s base flashing.

Deck/sheathing: Oriental strand board or plywood upon which roofing materials are placed.

Dormer: A diminutive structure that projects from a sloped roof. It usually has a window.

Drip Edge: A strip in the shape of an “L” placed on the edges of the roof for water to run off and drip away from the siding, eaves, and deck.

Eave: A sloped roof’s lower edge that stretches sideways.

Fascia: A flat band, board, or face positioned at the outer edge of the cornice.

Felt/underlayment: An asphalt sheet that functions as a secondary source of roof deck protection.

Fire Rating: A means of distinguishing materials’ fire resistance. Ratings include Class A, B, and C. Class C has the lowest resistance to fire that originates outside the structure.

Flashing: Metal that prevents water from seeping into projections and intersections (valleys, chimneys, vent pipes) within the roof system.

Hip Roof: A roof that rises with the support of inclined planes on each of the building’s four sides. The hip is the line where the roof’s adjacent sloping sides meet.

Louvers: Slatted devices implemented within soffit or gable to promote airflow and the equalization of temperature/moisture in the space beneath the roof deck.

Nail-pop: Nails that rest atop the roof deck after not being completely driven inward.

Open Valley: A valley in which flashing is exposed to the elements.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB): Four-foot by eight-foot roof deck panels formed with small pieces of wood. OSB is installed crosswise and lengthwise in a layered fashion. It is held intact with resin glue. OSB is commonly used in place of plywood sheets.

Overdriven: Fasteners that are driven forcefully into the roof can induce breaks. Such fasteners are referred to as overdriven.

Penetrations: Structures such as vents and pipes that penetrate roof decks.

Rafters: The supportive framework upon which a roof deck is connected.

Rake: A roof’s inclined edge positioned above a wall.

Ridge: The upper edge of two intersecting sloping portions of the roof.

Ridge Cap: Shake, shingles or tile that cover a building’s ridge. The best roofing companies use ridge cap products that are specially designed.

Ridge Vent: The ventilation system is placed atop a cut slot within the ridge line, which permits air to flow out of the attic.

Sheathing: The sheet materials or boards connected to rafters to cover a building or house.

Slope: The angle of a roof surface rise measured in inches for every 12 inches worth of horizontal run. For example, a roof with a 5-in-12 slope rises five inches for each foot of horizontal distance.

Soffit: A sheet or board that reaches from the fascia to the siding. It conceals the lower portion of the overhang. Elite roofing companies offer the option of installing soffit with ventilation slots if appropriate for particular types of attic venting systems.

Starter Course: The initial course of shingles placed on the roof.

Step Flashing: Metal shingles placed in a starter-strip fashion beneath regular shingles. Roofing companies use step flashing in instances when a chimney or wall is above the roof line.

Square: The unit of measurement for the roof area. A single square equals 100 square feet (10 ft. x 10 ft.).

Truss: A specially designed set of components to improve rafter support in newer structures.

Underlayment: Sheet material that separates the roof system and the roof deck.

Valley: The angle created at the intersection of two sloping portions of the roof.

Vapor Retarder: Restricts the movement of water vapor across the roof system or a wall.

Vent: An outlet that allows for the passage of air.

Craftsman Exteriors is a Madison, WI based Roofing and Exterior Home Solution Company committed to providing unparalleled service to homeowners. We provide distinguished expertise, free roof inspections and quality roofing repair & replacement services. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your roof call (608) 975-5747.