If you are new to the world of roofing, then you will hear many terms that you may not have a clue about. It is best to familiarize yourself with the terminology so that you can save yourself a lot of confusion in the future.
While you may hear many different words, most of the words used for the most important roofing terminology remain the same throughout the world. We hope this guide can help you with what you need to know.
Common terms
Below, we’ll explain some of the more common terms you may hear on roofing or roofing contractor websites. This is the terminology that every homeowner should know.
herpes
Shingles are a type of roof covering that consists of a series of overlapping tiles. You will usually notice that the shingles are flat and rectangular and are laid in lines that run vertically up the roof.
Tiles will be managed so that each tile overlaps a tile above and overlaps a tile below. You may often see stone tiles used for homes, but other materials such as wood or metal can also be used.
eve
The eave is the edge of the roof that sticks out the side of the wall of your house. The eave runs horizontally across the bottom of your roof. Eaves are used on roofs to keep water off walls. Eaves can often be a decoration point for homeowners.
Fire resistance
A fire rating is used to determine how resistant a certain material will be to firing. When home fires can be a big concern, it’s very important to understand your home’s fire rating and roofing materials. The materials are classified in fire resistance class A, B or C, with A being the most fire resistant.
asleep
This is a small structure that protrudes from the top of a sloped roof surface. You will often see dormers with windows; you may have one in your attic or on the top floor of your home. These are often used to provide clearance in rooms with low ceilings or as a means of letting in natural light and ventilation.
Beam
A joist sits in series with other joists to help support the roof and any associated weight. Rafters are often called members by roofing professionals, but you’ll see them in your home as a series of joists that extend diagonally up from the outside perimeter of your interior, usually where the roof and walls meet. For most house construction, you will often notice that the beams are made of wood.
Platform
In roofing terminology, the deck is an underlying layer of roofing material over which the roofing is applied. The deck is often made of wooden boards, plywood, or planks. The deck is one of the most important structural pieces that helps hold most of the other structural components together. The term deck roofing should not be confused with the architectural term for the same word, which refers to a flat surface or deck that is usually built outdoors, raised off the ground but connected to the side of a building.
Some more valuable terms
There are dozens of other terms used in roofing, and while you don’t need to understand all of them right away, there are a few more terms that may be helpful to those looking to improve or repair their roof.
Burning
Blistering occurs when bubbles or abnormalities are created in roofing materials. The cause of blister formation is usually related to moisture from rain or accumulated snow. Blisters can be caused by moisture trapped under the material or by moisture trapped within the material. This is seen more often in shingles.
drip edge
A drip edge is a piece of material that is installed along the edge of a roof to prevent water from running into areas that could be damaged, such as the deck or eaves. In most cases, a metal drip edge will be constructed.
Shiny
Flashing is a term that refers to the installation of thin sheets of material on your roof to prevent water from passing into unwanted areas. You will often see shingles or other materials sticking out on or around chimneys. This is a perfect example of flashing – water will hit these materials, preventing moisture from reaching the joints of a house.
Cricket
A cricket is a small ridge structure built into the highest side of a chimney that is designed to prevent water from collecting between the chimney and the roof. Crickets are most often seen on the back of chimneys, but are also used on any other roof overhang. A cricket is also sometimes known as a saddle.
Looking for a reputable roofing contractor to help you with your roofing needs? Contact us now and our associates will talk to you about it.
