Top roofing terms & definitions

• Asphalt: a dark substance found in a natural state or left as a residue after evaporating or processing crude oil or petroleum.
• Asphalt Emulsion: a mixture of asphalt particles combined by using a chemical or a clay emulsifying agent, mixing or blending machinery.
• Asphalt Felt: an asphalt-saturated and/or an asphalt-coated felt.
• Asphalt Roof Cement: a spreadable mixture of solvent-based bitumen, mineral stabilizers, other fibers and fillers.
• Asphalt shingle: this type of roof shingle is made of a base mat that is saturated with asphalt and coated with ceramic coated mineral granules. Asphalt shingles provide excellent structure protection and waterproofing, and a variety of colors and styles are available.
• Back nailing: the process used to fasten a ply or layer of roofing felt or other roofing system material so that fasteners are covered by the next sequential ply.
• Base Ply: the bottom layer of roofing in a roof membrane or roof system.
• Bitumen: a generic term used to denote any material composed principally of bitumen, typically asphalt or coal tar.
• Blister: this damage appears on asphalt shingles due to excess heat and moisture exposure, poor ventilation or improper installation.
• Building Code: Often determined by geographic location, these published regulations and ordinances prescribe design loads, procedures, and construction details for structures. Building codes control design, construction, and quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures within the area for which the code has been adopted.
• Built-Up Roof Membrane: a continuous, semi-flexible, multi-ply roof membrane, consisting layers of coated felt and bitumen.
• Cap sheet: often made from tar-coated layers of fiberglass or asphalt, the cap sheet protects all roofing material layers below it and extends roof life.
• Caulking: Roof caulk and sealants are used to seal around the base of a chimney, around vents, along walls and in other spaces where water may penetrate the roofing system.
• Coating: roof coatings protect from the effects of environmental impacts such as excessive water, wind and UV light. Coatings are usually made of high-quality resin and are very elastic.
• Counterflashing: formed sheet metal secured on or in a wall or other surface to cover and protect the upper edge of the membrane base flashing or underlying metal flashing and associated fasteners from exposure to the weather.
• Cricket: also called a saddle, this triangular ridge structure is designed to direct water around a chimney or provide transition from one roof area to another.
• Dimensional Shingle: shingle that is laminated to provide a dimensional appearance.
• Drip Edge: metal flashing with an outward projecting lower edge intended to control the direction of dripping water and help protect underlying building components.
• Eave: the eaves of a structure overhang the edge of the roof and protect the sides of the building. Eaves not only help divert water away from walls, they also can provide a decorate element to a structure.
• EPDM: EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer membrane, a durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane that is commonly used on low-slope buildings. Ethylene and propylene are derived from oil and natural gas.
• Fascia: a vertical or steeply sloped roof or trim located at the perimeter of a building.
• Fasteners: Roofing fasteners attach roofing material to the roofing deck. Different types of fasteners are used depending upon the kind of roof system installed.
• Flashing: components used to weatherproof or seal the roof system edges at perimeters, penetrations, walls, expansion joints, valley, drains, and other places where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated.
• Gable: more common in colder climates, gable roofs feature two sections sloping away from each other. The highest edges of these slopes form the roof ridge. Gable roofs can be constructed in a variety of ways to endure various weather events and water impact.
• Galvalume: a coating that contains silicon, zinc and aluminum, galvalume is designed to protect metal roofing components oxidization and corrosion.
• Gooseneck vent: crafted from galvanized steel, gooseneck roof vents are used to cover exhaust pipes that extend through the roof, preventing small animal entry and allowing for correct venting.
• Granule: shingle granules are usually made from minerals or mineral fibers. They serve to protect asphalt shingles from prolonged sun exposure and provide fire resistance. Granules also give shingles their color and distinctive appearance.
• Hat metal: also called a hat channel, these light gauge steel pieces are used for roof support and for retrofitting over existing metal roofs.
• High Velocity Hurricane Zone – The High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) in Florida encompasses only Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. A special section of the Florida Building Code outlines specific, specialized building codes that apply to these counties.
• Hip: a hip roof or hipped roof is one where all sides slope down toward the structure’s walls. A hipped roof has no gables or other vertical sections. This popular design is incredibly durable.
• Hot Mopping: the application of hot bitumen with a roofer’s mop or mechanical applicator to the substrate or to felts of a bituminous membrane.
• Mansard: also called a gambrel roof or French roof, mansard roofs have four sloping sides, each of which become steeper about halfway down.
• Modified asphalt underlayment: this synthetic underlayment includes fiberglass for tear-resistance and strength and features a base mat saturated in asphalt for superior stability.
• Nailer: roofing nailers are designed to quickly place roofing nails into fiberglass, asphalt or other roofing materials. Pneumatic nail guns hold coils of roofing fasteners for quick application, which make this job more efficient.
• Parapet wall: these barrier walls extend above the edge of a roof surface, preventing the spread of fire and acting as a roof railing system.
• Pitch pan: used to seal, support and protect irregular roof penetrations, pitch pans are trays or boxes that fit around the area to be sealed. Pans are filled with a pourable sealant that provides a custom seal for the unusual shapes in the space.
• Ply: a layer of felt in a roof membrane or roof system.
• PVC: this thick, white polyester reinforced roofing single ply roofing membrane is long-lasting, energy efficient, UV resistant and durable and can be used in residential or commercial settings.
• Ridge: the peak or highest point on a roof. Also refers to the beam or board that is used to build the ridge.
• Ridge vent: installed at the peak of a sloped roof, a ridge vent provides structure ventilation, allowing warm or damp air to escape from attic space. Ridge vents can increase the life of your roof and are very energy efficient.
• Scupper: an outlet on the side of a building for draining water, scuppers are most often found in parapet walls as part of a flat roofing system.
• Self-adhered underlayment: this self-sealing product can be used under a variety of roofing systems and offers waterproofing for the entire roof system or extra protection at vulnerable water collection points such as eaves or valleys.
• Shingle: an individual unit of prepared roofing material designed for installation with similar units in overlapping rows.
• Single-ply: this roofing material category includes a several types of plastic-derived materials that are used to cover and protect flat and low-slope resident and business structures. Single-ply roofing is affordable, flexible, weather resistant and durable.
• Slate: a hard, brittle rock consisting of clay minerals that is used extensively as dimensional stone for steep roofing.
• Slope: also called roof pitch, this refers to the amount of rise a roof has compared to its horizontal measurement (called the run). Roof pitch can vary based on climate, culture, structure style and available materials.
• Soffit: a covering that fits between the edge of a roof and the walls of a structure. This area sometimes features air intake vents and serves to insulate and protect attic space and rafter components.
• Standing steam: the most popular metal roofing design, standing seam metal roofing features panels with raised seams and concealed fasteners.
• TPO: TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a single-ply roofing membrane that covers the surface of the roof. TPO reflects sunlight and heat and is puncture resistant.
• Underlayment: an asphalt-permeated felt or other sheet material installed between the roof deck and the roof system. Underlayment is used to separate the roof covering from the roof deck to shed water and to provide weather protection.
• Valley: an area where two roof slopes meet, a valley collects water that then flows off the roof. Proper installation is critical, because these areas are prone to leaks.
• Valley flashing: when properly installed with roofing cement and careful fitting, metal roof valley flashing provides an additional layer of leak-proof protection in an area prone to leaks.