Planning to have roof work done? Whether it’s a repair job or a whole new roof, It’s a good idea to have a basic familiarity with roofing vocabulary to help you better understand the details of your project.
You’re likely to come across some unfamiliar terms while doing research or talking to a roofing contractor. With that in mind, here’s a list of some of the most common roofing terms and their definitions.
Basic Roofing Terms You Should Know
Shingles – Small individual overlapping sheets of waterproof roofing material, typically asphalt and fiberglass, installed to cover the roof deck to prevent water from entering the structure.
Underlayment – An asphalt-coated felt covering applied over the wood roof deck and underneath the shingles to provide extra protection from moisture.
Slope – The degree of angle that the surface of the roof inclines (also called the pitch). Expressed as a ratio of inches of vertical rise over inches of measured horizontal distance, for instance, a 4-inch vertical rise over 12 inches of horizontal distance would be a slope of 4:12.
Valley – The intersection where two downward slopes come together to form a V-shaped section of the roof.
Flashing – A waterproof barrier, typically aluminum sheeting, installed around structures penetrating through the roof such as chimneys and vents, and also along the roof perimeter and in valleys, intended to prevent moisture from seeping under the edges of the roofing materials.
Eave – The section of roof that extends out over the outside wall of a structure.
Drip edge – A metal strip installed on the edges of the eaves between the shingles and the deck to redirect water flow away from the underlying materials.
Dormer – A raised structure protruding from the slope of the roof usually built to frame a window and having its own small section of roofing.
Fascia – Wood trim nailed to the rafter and truss ends along the perimeter of the roof just under the eaves and used as an attachment base for the gutters.
Soffit – The area underneath the overhang or eave of the roof edge, usually covered with a protective finishing material.
Ridge vent – An opening cut into the top of the roof and covered with a vent to allow air circulation in the interior space while keeping out the elements.
Gable – A triangular section of wall underneath the area where two roof slopes intersect.
Contact Adams & Coe Roofing Specialists for answers to all your roofing questions or concerns in upstate South Carolina.