Glossary of Roofing Terms

The roofing terms below will help you better understand the roofing construction and roofing repair process and will allow you to better communicate with your local roofing company.

aggregate roofing
Aggregate roofing is used as surfacing or ballasting for a roof system. Aggregate can be stone, rock, crushed stone, gravel, crushed lava rock or marble chips.

Also known as: aggregate shingles, built-up roof, built-up aggregate roof, roofing aggregates, aggregate rood systems

base flashing
Base flashing is the roof flashing that is created by the upturned edges of a roof membrane. Base flashing is usually attached to or resting on the roof deck and directs water onto the roof.

Also known as: roof flashing, base flashing detail, composition base flashing, copper base flashing, concealed base flashing, exposed base flashing, metal flashing, lead base flashing

built-up roof
A built-up roof is constructed with several layers of felt and asphalt. Each layer is topped with hot tar or asphalt. The topmost layer is covered with mineral or rock.

Also known as: builtup roofing, BUR roofing, built-up roofing membranes, built-up roofing systems, asphalt built-up roofs, gravel and tar roofing

corrugated roofing
Corrugated roofing is generally sheet metal roofing that has been folded into ridges. Corrugated roof panels are easy to install and easy to maintain.

Also known as: corrugated roof panels, corrugated roofs, clear corrugated roofing, corrugated metal roofing, corrugated rub roof, corrugated fiberglass roofing, corrugated plastic roofing

counter flashing
Flashing attached to a vertical surface that prevents water from seeping into the roof is known as counter flashing. Counter flashing is often used to waterproof the roofing around chimneys and pipes.

Also known as: counterflashing, chimney counter flashing, counter flashing detail, roof flashing

eaves flashing
Eaves flashing is an additional layer of roofing material installed at the roof eaves to prevent water damage from rain seepage.

Also known as: roof flashing, dormer flashing, ice flashing, water damage flashing, ice dam flashing, eave flashing, roof eave flashing, roof ice dam barrier

EPDM roofing
EPDM roofing is a synthetic rubber roof product made of ethylene propylene diene monomer. EPDM roofing is primarily a commercial roof covering that can withstand weathering, abrasion and extreme temperatures.

Also known as: ethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM rubber roofing, rubber roof, rubber roofing

fascia
Horizontal trim at the eaves that covers the rafter ends is called fascia. Roof fascia runs horizontally across the ends of the roof rafters to form the edge of the roof. Fascia is placed above the soffit and below the roofline.

Also known as: roofing fascia, roof fascia, fascia board, house fascia, fascia trim

flashing
Roof flashing, usually made of metal sheeting or roll roofing, is installed to prevent rainwater from leaking into a building around joints or vents, pipes, chimneys, walls, dormers and roof valleys. Most roof flashing is made of galvanized steel.

Also known as: roof vent flashing, flat roof flashing, lead roof flashing, corrugated roof flashing, roofing flashing, roof detail flashing, vent pipe flashing

gable
The upper part of a wall that comes to a point at the ridge of a sloping roof. The roof ends and walls create a V-shaped feature.

Also known as: gable roof, hip gable roof, gable roof dormer, dormer, cross gable roof, gambrel roof gable, reverse gable roof, gable roof style, gable roof truss

gable roof
Gable roofs are peaked, sloping roofs that form a gable at both ends.

Also known as: hip gable roof, gable roof dormer, dormer, cross gable roof, gambrel roof gable, reverse gable roof, gable roof style, gable roof truss

gambrel roof
Gambrel roofs have two sloping planes of different pitches on either side of the roof ridge. The lower plane of a gambrel roof has a steeper slope than the upper slope. Gambrel roofs have a gable at each end.

Also known as: gambrel angle roof, gambrel roof style

hip roof
A four-sided roof with sloping sides and ends is known as a hip roof.

Also known as: hipped roof, hip roof style, hipped roof style

interlocking shingles
Interlocking shingles are individual shingles that mechanically fasten together to provide stronger wind resistance.

Also known as: interlocked roofing, interlocking shingle systems, interlocking aluminum shingles, interlocking asphalt shingles, interlocking metal shingles, interlocking composite shingles, interlock shingles

laminated shingles
Strip shingles with more than one layer of tabs that create extra thickness are called laminated shingles.

Also known as: three-dimensional shingles, architectural shingles, laminated asphalt shingles, laminate shingles, laminated shingle, laminated roof shingles

mansard roof
A hip roof with two slopes on each side is referred to as a mansard roof. This type of roof contains two sloping planes with different pitches on each of the four sides. The lower sloping roof plane has such a steep pitch, it may appear vertical. Mansard roofs have no gables.

Also known as: French roof, straight mansard roof, flared mansard roof, double-slope roof

metal roofs
Metal roofs are found on commercial and residential buildings. Metal roofs are made from metal pieces, metal tiles or metal slabs. Metal roofs are resistant to weather and temperature changes and are known for their longevity.

Also known as: metal roofing, standing seam metal roofing, steel roofing, copper roofing, corrugated metal roofing, metal roofing panels, tin roof, metal roof shingles, metal fabrication roof, residential metal roofing, sheet metal roofing

overlay
Installing a new roof system over an existing roof without removing the existing roof is referred to as roof overlay. Roofing overlay is generally a more cost-effective way to install a new roof, since it doesn’t include costs of roof removal.

Also known as: roof recover, roof re-cover, vinyl roof overlay, metal roof overlay, roof-over

re-roofing
Constructing a roof on an existing building is referred to as re-roofing.

Also known as: reroofing, roof replacement, shingle replacement, residential re-roofing, reshingling, re-shingling, tear-off roof replacement

roll roofing
Roll roofing is a composition asphalt roofing and felt product manufactured in roll form. Roofing contractors install roll roofing by laying it in overlapping strips over the surface of the roof.

Also known as: rolled roofing, asphalt roll roofing, rubber roll roofing, rolled roof, smooth surface roll roofing, coated felt roofing

roof decking
Roof decking is thick lumber installed over the roof trusses and under the roof shingles or roof system. Roof deck provides the strength of the roof.

Also known as: roof deck, roof decking, tongue and groove roof decking, wood roof decking, metal roof decking, steel roof decking, roof decking tiles

roof vents
Roof vents provide air flow into a home’s attic or space beneath the roof. Roof vent caps are useful to keep debris and water out of the roof vents.

Also known as: attic vents, roofing vents, air vents, soffit vents, fascia vents, attic ventilation, roof exhaust vents, solar roof vents, ridge vents, gable vents, turbine roof vents, powered roof vents, roof air vents

self-sealing shingles
Self sealing shingles are made with thermal sealing cement that firmly seals the shingles together automatically after they have been set properly and warmed by the sun. In warm seasons, the self-seal will be set in a few days. In colder seasons, sealing time depends on the air temperature and the heat of the direct sunlight hitting the shingles. Many roofing contractors manually seal self-sealing shingle roofs that are constructed in winter to assure a firm seal.

Also known as: self-sealing roofing, pre-sealed shingles, sealing tab shingles

shingles
Roof shingles are overlapping pieces set on a roof to protect it from the elements. Roof shingles are commonly made of wood, slate, asbestos cement, bitumen, asphalt or ceramic material.

Also known as: roof shingles, roofing shingles, asphalt roof shingles, metal roof shingles, solar roof shingles, slate roof shingles, rubber roofing shingles, wood roof shingles, fiberglass roofing shingles

slate roofing
Roofing tiles and shingles made of slate rock are known as slate roofing. Slate roofs are durable, fireproof, weather resistant and unique. Synthetic slate roofing materials are also available. These synthetic slate shingles are lighter, easier to install and less expensive than genuine slate roofing.

Also known as: slate roof tiles, slate roof panels, natural slate roofing, flagstone slate roofing, synthetic slate roofing, faux slate roofing, composite slate roofing shingles

soffit
The exposed, finished underside of overhanging roof eaves. The soffit bridges the space between the siding and the roofline. Soffit can be vented to cool the attic space.

Also known as: aluminum soffit, vinyl soffit, soffit and fascia, soffit detail

solar roof
Roof panels, tiles and shingles with photovoltaic cells built in generate electricity much like traditional solar panels. Some solar roof shingles look just like asphalt shingles and are nailed directly onto the roof surface.

Also known as: solar roof tiles, solar roof panels, solar roof shingles, solar electric roofing, photovoltaic roofing, PV roofing

standing seam roof
Standing seam metal roofing is a method of installing metal roof panels vertically and side-by-side. On standing seam roofs, the roofing panels are attached at the sides with the overlapping area forming a seam between the roof panels. Standing seam roof panels are most commonly installed on commercial and industrial buildings, and are used to bring a modern look to residential roofing.

Also known as: metal standing seam roofing, standing seam metal roofing

TPO roofing
TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin roofing is a single-ply roofing membrane that is a heat-reflective and energy efficient roofing system.

Also known as: thermoplastic single-ply roofing, thermoplastic polyolefin roofing

truss
Roof trusses are used in roof construction. They support the weight of the roof framing and roof deck.

Also known as: roof rafters, wooden roof trusses, roof supports, steel roof trusses, prefabricated roof trusses, prefab roof trusses, roofing trusses

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