Glossary of Roofing Terms
Asphalt Shingle
A shingle manufactured by coating a reinforcing material (felt or fibrous glass mat) with asphalt and having mineral granules on the side exposed to the weather.
Built-up Roof
A flat or low-sloped roof covered with layers of asphalt and roofing felt, then sealed with a layer of gravel.
Counter Flashing
The flashing that is embedded, or attached, and sealed at its top in a wall or other vertical structure and is lapped down over base flashing. Courses Horizontal rows of shingles or tiles.
Deck
The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.
Drip Edge
The strip of metal extending out beyond the eaves or rakes to prevent rainwater from curling around the shingles back into the wooden portion of the house.
Eaves
The lower edge of a roof (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house).
Felt
The bituminous paper used by roofers, usually made of a combination of asphalt and either paper or rags.
Flashing
Sheet metal or other material used at various planes on a roof to prevent water leakage
Rafter
Structural wood, usually slanted, to which sheathing is attached.
Rake
The slanting edge of a gable roof at the end wall of the house.
Re-Roofing
Installing a new roof system on a building that is not new.
Ridge
The horizontal line at the top edge of two sloping roof planes.
Rise
The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge.
Run
The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge.
Sheathing
Boards that are nailed to the rafters and used as a roof deck material.
Shingle Flashing
Flashing that is laid in strips under each shingle and bent up at the edge of a chimney or wall.
Pitch (Slope)
A measurement of how "steep" a roof is; The number of inches of vertical rise in a roof per 12-inches of horizontal distance.
Soffit
The finished area that encloses the underside of the eaves.
Square
A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet of roof.
Underlayment
A layer of roofing felt or tar paper laid on top of sheathing before shingles are applied, providing additional protection.