A
Architectural Shingles
See the definition of Laminated Shingles
ARMA
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, a trade association for North American manufacturers of asphalt roofing.
B
Blisters
Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation due to moisture “cooking” out of the asphalt.
Butt edge
The lower edge of the shingle tabs.
C
Collar
Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.
Condensation
The change of water from vapor to liquid when warm, moisture-laden air comes in contact with a cold surface.
D
Dormer
A framed unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof.
E
Eave
The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.
Eave Flashing/Drip Edge
Lengths of roofing material (usually metal or copper) applied at the eaves to help prevent damage from wind-driven rain water back-up
F
Flashing
Pieces of metal/copper (in steep slope applications) to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys. Other types of flashings can be used in low slope roofing.
G
Gable Roof
A simple two-sided roof above a gable.
Gambrel Roof
A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Often contains a gable at each end.
Gutter
The trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts.
H
Hexagonal Shingles
Shingles that have the appearance of a hexagon after installation.
Hip Roof
A roof where all four sides slope downwards from the peak. Contains no gables.
L
Laminated Shingles
Shingles created by mating two layers of shingles together to create a more robust and pleasant visual. Also called dimensional or architectural shingles.
O
Overhang
That portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.
P
Pipe Boot
A flashing mechanism used to provide a water tight seal around roof pipes that can be tied into the field roof service.
R
Racking
Roofing application method in which shingle courses are applied vertically up the roof.
Rafter
The supporting framing member immediately beneath the deck, sloping from the ridge to the wall plate.
Reroofing
The process of removing existing roof coverings and replacing with a new roofing system.
Ridge
The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Rise
The vertical distance from the eave line to the ridge.
Roof Slope
The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, often in inches, to the run, in inches. For example, a roof slope of 4/12 has a 4 inch rise every 12 inches run.
S
Shingle Overhang
The distance between the bottom of the first shingle course and the start of the fascia or decking over which it hangs.
SBS
Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene, which is a synthetic polymer that is mixed with asphalt in some products to increase the flexibility and other attributes of the products.
Shed Roof
A roof containing only one sloping plane. A shed roof has no hips, ridges, valleys or gables.
Soffit
The finished underside of the eaves.
Span
The horizontal distance from eave to eave.
V
Vapor Retarder
Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor.
Vent Sleeve
See Collar definition.