Table of Contents

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 downwards.

Rake Edge

The side of your roof’s slope.

Ridge

The peak of your roof line along its’ 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.

Soffit 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.