Roofing Terms

Deck:

The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.

Drip Edge:

A non-corrosive, non-straining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow runoff to drip clear of underlying construction.

Eave:

The overhanging lower edge of your roof.

Felt:

Fibrous material saturated with asphalt (often called tar paper or underlayment) and used as a secondary layer of protection for the roof deck.

Flashing:

Pieces of metal used to prevent the seepage of water around any intersection or projection in a roof system, such as vent pipes, chimneys, valleys, and joints at vertical walls.

Gable:

The upper portion of a side wall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloped roof.

Gable Roof:

A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at the end.

Hip:

The peak of your roof line going downward.

Rake Edge:

The side of your roof’s slope.

Ridge:

The peak of your roof line along it’s top.

Ridge Vent:

Ventilation that is applied underneath your roof’s ridge.

Slope:

Measured by rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal run: A roof with a 4-in-12 slope rises 4 inches for every foot of horizontal distance (also known as roof pitch).

Square:

The common measurement for roof area. One square is 100 square feet (10 by 10 feet).

Starter Course:

The first row of shingles applied to the base of your roof.

Undereave Vent:

An opening for passage of air through your roof.

Valley:

The portion of your roof where two slopes of intersect.

Waterproofing Underlayment:

Waterproofing protection beneath your roof’s deck and shingles.