Common Roofing Terms

Common Roofing Terms

Asphalt based sealant material, used to seal roofing materials and cover exposed nails. Otherwise known as mastic, blackjack, or roof tar.

A length of metal bent to seal and waterproof where a vertical wall meets the roofline.

Bubbles appearing on the roofing materials, usually due to moisture. In shingles blisters are caused by either moisture under the material, or moisture trapped inside of the material.

When shingles are subjected to high winds and are forced off of the roof deck. This is the most common cause for repairs.

Wrinkling or rippling affects in the shingles or their underlayments.

A valley installation method where one course of shingles is completely covered by the opposing course from the other roof face, then the top layer is cut to match the valley lines. This is the most common valley installation.

A length of metal used to seal and waterproof where a transition between a wall and a flat surface. Usually used during skylight installation to seal the top of the curb. (wooden frame)

A peaked water diverter usually installed behind chimneys to divert water away from the back of the projection, as to not allow for standing water.

When shingles are installed and create a cupping, or a curled appearance. Usually due to a product defect but could also be a result of installation error. Also known as fish-mouthing.

A raised roof that extends out over another roofline, that most resembles a standard doghouse, which is also a name for it.

A length of metal bent to seal and waterproof the edge or “eaves” where roofing material is installed. It also aids in directing water into the eaves trough as it extends from the eaves into the gutter.

The roof edge from the fascia to the house (structures) outside wall. The first three feet up from the edge of the roof  is usually considered the Eave.

Nails or staples used to secure the roofing material, underlayment’s, and flashings.

The method of installing shingles on steep slopes, and high wind areas. Asphalt plastic cement is used to adhere the shingles manually, it is also referred to as “hand-tabbing.”

A roof with four sides coming together at a peak and four separate hip legs. Also known as a cottage-style roof.

When a snow load melts and then refreezes on the eave edge. Ice dams force water to back up under the shingles, sometimes resulting in leakage. The major cause of Ice damming is heat loss from inside the home, along with not clearing

This is the most traditional roof style. Two peaked rooflines at meet at a ridge of equal length.

Crushed rocks that are coated in ceramic and placed on the asphalt shingle during manufacturing. They act as both the color, and the UV protect ant for the shingles.

A roof pitch that is lower than a 4/12 (4 inches of decline to every 12 inches of roof face) Special installation instructions must be followed on pitches 2/12-4/12. Asphalt shingles cannot be installed on slopes lower than a 2/12.

A roof face that is almost vertical. Sometimes referred to as a “wall.”

When a nail is not fully driven into the roof deck. Usually from a shingling gun malfunction. Also known as “flashers.”

A valley installation that uses a metal “valley pan” down the center of the valley. The shingles are then cut back from either side of the center of the valley to expose the metal flashing to allow for drainage and to help again blockages (this is mostly prominent in cedar-shake applications.)

When a nail or fastener has been driven through the material, usually from a shingling gun malfunction. Also known as a “Blow through.”

The vertical edge on a gable roof.

The exposed portion of double thickness on the shingle that emulates the cedar shake-like appearance. Also known as dragon teeth.

A manufactured material used as the first course of the roofing system. It lines the eaves and gable ends to act as a sealant and guild line to frame out the perimeter of the roof. This is made from the same material as the shingles.

Sealant installed on the back-side of the shingles that is activated by heat and sunlight to seal the shingles to each other.

The term used to describe the removing of the existing shingles, or roofing materials before the new roof can be installed.

Usually a rolled product comprised of either an asphalt-based, or a synthetic-based material used under the main roof system to act as added protection.

A roof area where two adjoining rooflines of varying pitches or the same pitch, intersect to form a “V” like shape.

The method of installing a valley where shingles from either side of the adjoining sides in the valley overlap each other and are interwoven.

The written promise to the owner of the property for the roofing materials, and any material or installation problems that may arise in the future. The material warranty is to be written by the manufacturer of the product and the labour warranty is from the company that provided the service.

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