A
Asphalt – A waterproofing chemical applied to roofing materials during manufacturing.
ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials. An organization concerned with developing standards in specifications.
B
Base Flashing – Flashing used to direct waterflow away from any deck or wall and unto the roof covering.
Battens – Strips of wood where roof tiles are fastened.
Buckling – Wrinkles that form across shingles.
Butt – The lower edge of a shingle.
C
Chalk Line – Lines created by a chalk-laden string. Used for alignment.
Class “A” – Highest fire rating.
Class “B” – Moderate fire rating.
Class “C” – Lite fire rating.
Closed-Cut Valley – A valley where one of the shingles is allowed to extend across the valley, while the opposite shingle is cut 2” from the valley centerline. Valley flashings are not exposed.
Course – A horizontal row of roofing materials.
Cutout – The sections on a shingle that are open between the tabs.
D
Deck – The wood surface on which the roofing sysmtem is applied. Also known as sheathing.
Dormer – A sheet metal unit used to provide ventilation.
Downspout – Drainage pipe for gutters.
Drip Edge – Metal used along the eaves and rakes to allow water to run-off to drip clear of building.
E
Eaves – The lower edge of a sloped roof that’s horizontal.
F
Felt – Organic fibered mat with asphalt. Variations also called underlayement or basesheet.
Flashing – Metal pieces that prevent water flow into buildings around any roof penetrations and intersections. Such as walls, pipes, and chimneys.
G
Gable – The rake side of a roof with equal sloping planes on each side.
Granules – Crushed rock that is coated and colored. It is applied to exposed surfaces of asphalt.
Gutter – Channels on the eaves to direct water to downspouts.
H
Hip – Linear sections connected to the ridge and eave created by two sloping planes on a roof.
Hip Shingles – Shingles used to cover linear sections called hips, also known as hip & ridge shingles.
HUD/FHA Ventilation – Prescribed ventilation that determines the minimum amount of ventilation a roof requires.
L
Laminated Shingles – Newer style shingles that adds a dimensional look to the shingle. They are thicker than older 3-tab shingles.
Low–slope Application – Any installation from 2/12 and 4/12 is considered low slope.
M
Mastic – Asphalt roofing cement.
O
Open Valley – Valley installation method where shingles are cut along a chalk line near the valley. Valley flashing is exposed.
OSB – Non-veneered oriented strand board. Common board used to construct roof deck.
Overhang – Roof portion that extends beyond the exteriors walls of the building.
R
Rafter – Framing support beneath the deck going from the ridge to the eave.
Rake – The sloped slides of a roof, in contrast with the eave.
Ridge – The highest horizontal line created by two sloped roof planes.
Ridge Shingles – Specific shingles used to cover the ridge and hips.
S
Scuffing – Shingle damage caused by foot traffic or objects.
Sheathing – Roof deck material that must meet exterior grade.
Slope – The inclination of a roof. Also known as pitch.
Soffit – The underside of the eaves. Can be finished with numerous types of woods & paintings.
Soffit Vents – Vents located under the eaves to provide ventilation.
Square – Unit of measurement that equals 100 square feet.
Starter Strip – Strip of shingles used to provide protection underneath the first course nearest the eave.
Step Flashing – Flashing material used where a vertical wall meets a sloping section of the roof.
T
Telegraphing – Shingle distortion that may come about when a new shingles are applied over an uneven surface.
U
Underlayment – Asphalt felt used beneath cover material to provide additional protection to the deck.
V
Valley – The internal angle formed by the intersections of two sloping roof planes.
Vent – An outlet that must be made waterproof and is required for ventilation.
W
Woven Valley – Valleys where shingles from both sides of the the valley extend across the valley overlapping alternate courses as they are applied. Valley flashing is not exposed.
