Roofing 101
Coating
A layer of material spread over a surface for protection or decoration. Coatings for SPF are generally liquids, semi-liquids, or mastics; spray, roller, or brush applied; and cured to an elastomeric consistency.
Counter Flashing
Decking
The section of the roof onto which everything else is placed, Usually plywood.
Downspout
A conduit used to carry runoff water from the gutter of a building to a lower roof level, or to the ground or storm water runoff system.
Drip Edge
The strip of metal extending out beyond the eaves or rakes to prevent rainwater from rolling around the shingles back onto the wooden portion (fascia) of the house.
Eave
The lower edge of a roof (usually overhanging beyond the edge of the house).
Fascia
Trim board behind the gutter and eaves.
Flashing
Sheet metal or other material used at junctions of different planes on a roof to prevent leakage.
Gable
The triangular upper part of a wall closing the end of a ridged roof.
Gutters
A channeled component installed along the down-slope perimeter of a roof to convey runoff water from the roof to the downspouts.
Hip
The external angle at the junction of two sides of a roof whose supporting walls adjoin.
Modified bitumen
An asphalt roll (resembling shingles) designed for low sloped roofs.
Rake
The slanting edge of a gabled roof extending beyond the end wall of the house.
Ridge
The horizontal line at the top edge of two sloping roof planes.
Ridge Vent
A ventilator located at the ridge that allows the escape of warm and/or moist air from the attic area or rafter cavity.
Roof Penetrations
Any object passing through the roof.
Roofing Tune Up
A regular roof tune-up is similar to getting a car tune-up, includes a roof inspection and sealant applied to any exposed fasteners throughout the roof field. Routine maintenance extends the roof life (should be completed every 2 years.)
R-panel Metal Roof
R-panel sheets are 3’ wide with major ribs 12’ on center and panels are installed with fasteners that penetrate the panel and attached to the substrate or structural members below.
Shingle
Usually made of asphalt, shingles are small, rectangular, and are overlapped when installed to keep water out.
Slope
The number of inched of vertical rise in a roof per 12-inches of horizontal distance. Also referred to as pitch.
Soffit
The boards that enclose the underside of that portion of the roof which extends out beyond the sidewalls of the house.
Roofing Square
One roofing square is equal to one hundred square feet.
Standing Seam
Metal Roof
A metal roof system that consists of an overlapping or interlocking seam that occurs at an upturned rib. The standing seam may be made by turning up the edges of two adjacent metal panels and overlapping them, then folding or interlocking them in a variety of ways.
Step Flashing
Individual pieces of sheet metal material used to flash walls, around chimneys, dormers and such projections along the slope of a roof.
Underlayment
The material (usually roofing felt) laid on top of sheathing before shingles are applied.
Valley
The less-than 180-degree angle where two sloping roof sections come together.
Valley Metal
Flashing that is placed in a valley to create an impermeable seal under shingles.
Vent
An opening designed to convey air, heat, water vapor or other gas from inside a building or a building component to the atmosphere.
Pipe Boots
A type of roof flashing used around plumbing exhaust pipes that exit through the roof.
