Top 10 Roofing Terms you Should Know
When looking into a new roof, you may feel like a fish out of water with all the different roofing terms being thrown at you. Of course, you may always ask your roofer about anything you are unclear about, but here we have compiled a list of 10 top roofing terms used.
Definitions/Examples
Drip Edge
- This is used along the eaves to allow water run-off to drip clear of any underlying construction
Eaves
- This is the portion of your roof that either meets or goes beyond the wall of your building. Its purpose is to keep water off the side of your building. As a result, it makes it more difficult for water to enter the building.
Fascia
- The fascia is a long board along the edge of a roof. Often the fascia and soffit get mixed up, but you can refer to the image on the right for a visual.
Flashings
- These are pieces of sheet metal or other materials used to cover and protect areas where the roof meets a penetration or wall. To learn more about flashings check out this article.
Valley
- The roof valley is the area where two sloping roof sections meet. Water runs off the roof through valleys, making them critical areas prone to leaks when they are installed incorrectly.
Ridge
- A ridge is the highest, external point where the two sides of the roof meet. There is a certain type of shingle known as ridge shingles that are specifically used on this area of the roof.
Soffit
- A soffit is located under the rafters and can be seen in the first image. This also shows where the fascia is located since they are next to one another.
Tear Off
- The process to remove an existingroofing system down to the structural deck. Afterwards, the new construction of the structural deck and a new roofing system takes place.
Overlay
- An overlay is the process of installing new roof material over the existing roof. There can be an underlayment between the roofs or as is usually the case with the shingle overlays, the second roof is installed directly over the first. Your roofing contractor should know what roof systems should be overlaid and when it is not a good idea.
Underlayment
- This is the layer of materials between the shingles and the roof deck. To find out more about an underlayment and how it protects your roof, take a look at this article.
Whether you are needing repairs or a roof replacement give us a call at 800-303-8392. We will make sure you understand all the roofing terms we use and can provide you with a free estimate.
