Need some roof work done? Are you overwhelmed and confused with all the roofing industry lingo being thrown at you?
If you’re about to start a roofing project, doing research, or already talking to a roofing contractor, you’ll be seeing and/or hearing terms you’ve probably never heard before. The problem is that most roofers don’t use homeowner-friendly language when explaining the complexities.
This only leads to more confusion, or worse, getting taken advantage of by a bad roofer. I want to make it a lot easier for you and other homeowners to quickly get up to speed on roofing lingo.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in helping all homeowners, even if they’re not in a potential customer Nashville, TN. So, let’s break down the most common roofing terms and definitions you need to know in one glossary.
As you’re going through the article, click the hyperlinks to dive deeper into each term.
A roofing square is a unit of measurement referring to a hundred square feet of roof area. It’s used when describing size, material amounts, and other things that affect a roofing project.
Roof pitch is simply the steepness of a roof. It's formatted in an X/12 fashion where X equals the rise, and 12 is the run. For example, a 4/12 pitch will rise 4 feet for every 12 feet of length.
Caulk is a sealant used to fix common and simple roof leaks. If a roof is caulked correctly, it should last a couple of years.
A bundle in roofing terms is a packaging unit for shingles, with the amount of shingles per bundle depending on the manufacturer. Bundles are the standard way shingles are described when transported, stored, priced, and installed.
Granules are little pieces of asphalt embedded in asphalt shingles for fire resistance, color, and UV ray protection. They are crucial to an asphalt shingle’s longevity, and losing them is a sign that it’s for a replacement.
The roofing material is the top layer of your roof system, and what most people think of when hearing the word “roof”. The type of roofing material you choose determines warranties, lifespan, pricing, color and everything else when getting a replacement.
Roof decking is the wooden foundation that all your other roofing components are nailed onto. There are two types of roof decking: sheet decking and plank decking. Sheet decking comes in either OSB or plywood, and plank decking comes in wooden planks.
The main thing with roof decking (roof sheathing) is that you don't want it to get wet because it will rot, and you'll have to replace it.
Drip edge is a metal component that's installed on the edges of your roof required per building codes. It's to keep the water running off of your roof from wicking back and getting your decking wet.
Starter shingles are a pre-cut row of roofing material installed at the eaves and rakes before the first course of shingles are installed over them. They also have an adhesive to ensure the first row of shingles are sealed to improve a roof’s resistance to strong winds.
Roof underlayment is a synthetic or felt material that's installed directly over your roof decking or sheathing. It adds an extra layer of protection for your roof decking if water gets underneath your shingles.
Ice and water shield is a waterproof membrane (granular, smooth, or high heat) used to protect your roof from ice and water damage. It must be installed on/around vulnerable areas of your roof, like valleys, around penetrations, and on low slope roofs.
Roof flashing is a thin metal material that roofers install to direct water away from certain areas (walls, chimneys, roof valleys) of your roof. There are three different types of roof flashing (apron, counter, and step flashing), and you’ll have three different metals to choose from (aluminum, steel, and copper).
Roof vents sit on your roof to ensure your attic ventilation system is working properly. They work by pulling fresh air through intake vents and pushing the trapped air out through roof vents.
Hip and ridge capping is a pre-bent roofing accessory installed where two roof slopes meet at the top (ridge) or form an exterior angle (hip). Capping will match the main roofing material you choose (asphalt, metal, etc.).
Rafters are the structural framing for your roof that runs from the ridge (peak) down to the walls. Rafters form the slope and shape of a roof, which makes them a key part of what holds the entire roofing system up with solid decking.
Roof facets refer to the different sections or the sides of a roof. The more complex your roof is, the more facets it will have.
A low slope roof is any facet or roof with a pitch below a 2:12. Low slope roofs don't have enough pitch for water to drain normally, so anything considered low slope needs a specific type of roofing material.
Roof valleys are when two roof facets meet at a slope to form an interior angle. Valleys allow water to flow properly down a roof, but they must be kept clear to avoid leaks.
A roof hip is when two roof facets meet to form an exterior angle. The slopes run downward and usually form the outside corners of a roof.
A gable is a triangular section underneath where two roof facets overhang a wall. It's commonly used to refer to a popular ventilation spot, the gable end vent.
Rakes and eaves refer to the edges of your roof. Rakes are the edge of a roof that runs at a slope. Eaves are the edge of a roof that runs horizontally; think of it as the gutter line.
Fascia is located right below the rakes and the eaves of your roofline. It serves a decorative purpose, but it can also serve a practical purpose with your drip edge.
A soffit is installed right underneath the fascia, where a roof overhangs a wall. It's common for roofers to install an intake vent right where a soffit is located.
A dormer is a section of roof, usually a window, that juts out and forms its own little small section of mini roof. They are more common on complex roofs, and can actually be made of metal.
A roof cricket is a sloped, double triangular structure that diverts water around chimneys and walls. As water comes down a roof, it hits the roof cricket and splits down each side of the chimney instead of hitting a flat wall.
A roof ridge is where two roof slopes meet and come together to form a peak at the top of your roof. It’s simply the peak of your roof or roof facets.
A workmanship warranty is provided by your roofing contractor to cover errors made during the roof installation process. Simply put, the roofer is on the hook to fix any issues or problems caused by improper installation during the warranty period.
A roofing material warranty is provided by a manufacturer that covers defective materials and other things, such as algae-resistance, wind rating, etc. However, what’s actually covered and for how long depends on the manufacturer and specific roofing material.
An enhanced roofing material warranty (also called extended) covers the entire roof system by getting everything from one manufacturer and installed by a certified roofer. This warranty ensures they’ll replace the entire roof instead of just the defective area.
A prorated material warranty means it loses value each year as it gets older, while a non-prorated material warranty means the material keeps the same value as it ages. This is especially important to consider when choosing your new roof and roofer.
Now you know some of the most common roofing terms. While this article doesn’t cover every single term you’ll hear, it’s a great starting point for your roofing journey.
While we’ve covered them briefly, the next thing you need to learn about is the different layers that make up your roof, what they do, and why they’re important. After all, if just one is missing, you’ll be looking at serious problems.
I want you to have all the information you need to get a roof that lasts for decades. So, I wrote another article breaking down all the different layers of your roof system.
Check out The Different Layers of a Roof (& What You Need to Know About Them) to continue your learning journey about all things roofing.