Roofing terms, defined
Plain definitions of the roofing words that come up on estimates, inspections and supplier calls, written for roofers. Each term says where it matters on the job and links the Koira calculator, cost guide or template that goes with it.
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RoofingArchitectural shingleAn architectural shingle is an asphalt shingle built from bonded layers, giving a thicker, shadowed look than a flat three-tab.Shared with InsulationAttic baffleAn attic baffle is a foam or cardboard chute stapled between rafters at the eaves.RoofingAttic ventilationAttic ventilation is the planned flow of outside air through an attic, in at the soffits and out near the ridge, to carry off heat and moisture.
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Shared with General ContractorChange orderA change order is a signed document that changes the scope, price or schedule of a contract after work has started.RoofingCollar tieA collar tie is a horizontal board that connects opposing rafters in the upper part of the roof, near the ridge.RoofingCounter flashingCounter flashing is the upper piece of a paired flashing.RoofingCricketA cricket is a small peaked roof built on the uphill side of a chimney or other wide roof penetration.
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RoofingDormerA dormer is a small structure that projects out of a sloped roof, with its own roof and usually a window.RoofingDrip edgeDrip edge is the bent metal strip installed along the eaves and rakes of a roof.RoofingDry-inDry-in is the point where the roof deck is covered with underlayment, or the building with roof and wrap, so rain can no longer get in, even though the finish roofing is not on yet.Shared with Junk RemovalDumpster rentalA dumpster rental is a roll-off container dropped at a site for a set period and hauled away full.
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RoofingGable roofA gable roof has two slopes meeting at a ridge, with a triangle of wall, the gable, at each end.RoofingGambrel roofA gambrel roof has two slopes on each side, a steep lower one and a shallower upper one, with gable ends.Shared with GutterGutter apronGutter apron is a bent metal flashing that tucks under the first course of shingles and hangs down into the back of the gutter, so water cannot slip behind the gutter.
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RoofingIce barrierAn ice barrier is a self-adhering rubberized membrane, or doubled underlayment, run up from the eaves.Shared with InsulationIce damAn ice dam is a ridge of ice at the roof edge that forms when heat from the house melts snow higher up, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves.Shared with RestorationInsurance supplementA supplement is a request to an insurance company to add items or quantities to an approved claim after hidden damage or missed items are found.
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RoofingRafterA rafter is one of the sloped framing members that run from the wall plate up to the ridge and carry the roof deck.RoofingRake edgeThe rake is the sloped edge of a roof at a gable end, running from the eave up to the ridge.RoofingRidgeThe ridge is the level top line of a roof where two slopes meet.RoofingRidge boardA ridge board is the horizontal board at the peak that the tops of the rafters frame against.RoofingRidge ventA ridge vent is a low profile vent that runs along the ridge under the cap shingles.RoofingRoof deckingRoof decking is the structural layer of plywood, OSB or boards nailed to the rafters or trusses.RoofingRoof leak repairA roof leak repair is a targeted fix to stop water at one spot, as opposed to replacing the roof.RoofingRoof pitchPitch is how steep a roof is, written as inches of rise for every foot of horizontal run, such as six in twelve.RoofingRoof trussA roof truss is a factory built triangle of lumber joined with metal plates.RoofingRoof underlaymentUnderlayment is the sheet laid over the roof deck before the shingles or metal.RoofingRoof valleyA valley is the inside angle where two roof slopes meet.RoofingRoof-overA roof-over puts new roofing on top of the existing layer instead of tearing it off.RoofingRoofing squareA square is the unit roofers use to measure and price roof area.
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RoofingScupperA scupper is an opening through a parapet wall that lets water run off a flat roof, usually into a collector box and downspout.RoofingShed roofA shed roof is a single sloped plane, high on one wall and low on the other.RoofingSkylightA skylight is a window set into the roof.RoofingSoffitSoffit is the finished underside of the roof overhang, between the fascia and the wall.Shared with Pressure WashingSoft washingSoft washing cleans roofs, siding and other delicate surfaces with low pressure and a cleaning solution, usually diluted sodium hypochlorite, instead of high pressure water.Shared with SolarSolar rackingRacking is the rails, mounts and flashings that hold solar panels to a roof or a ground frame.RoofingStarter stripA starter strip is the first course of shingles, laid along the eaves and often the rakes, with its sealant line at the edge.RoofingStep flashingStep flashing is a run of small bent metal pieces woven in with each course of shingles where a sloped roof meets a sidewall.
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RoofingTear-offA tear-off is stripping the existing roofing down to the deck before new roofing goes on.RoofingThree-tab shingleA three-tab shingle is a flat asphalt strip shingle cut into three tabs along its lower edge, so it reads as a uniform grid on the roof.RoofingTPO roofingTPO is a single ply roofing membrane, usually white, whose seams are welded together with hot air.
More for roofers: free roofing tools, templates and guides and how the trade runs on Koira. Or browse the whole glossary.