Roofing Glossary

  • Asphalt Shingles: (Back to previous page)
    Roofing material that consists of a base material, which is coated with asphalt and granulated minerals.
  • Eave: (Back to previous page)
    A roof edge that extends past the exterior wall line.
  • Hip: (Back to previous page)
    The external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes; from the ridge to the eaves.
  • Hot Tar: (Back to previous page)
    Oil-based material applied first by heating to melting point in order to saturate individual ply of felt. Used on low slope or flat roofs. Can be covered with gravel in order to protect from harmful ultraviolet rays of sun.
  • Pitch: (Back to previous page)
    The degree of roof incline, expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span.
  • Rafter: (Back to previous page)
    The structural member supporting the deck and roof system components, extending from the downslope perimeter to the ridge or hip.
  • Ridge: (Back to previous page)
    The uppermost, horizontal external angle on a roof formed by the intersection of two slopes.
  • Roll Roofing: (Back to previous page)
    Asphalt roofing material manufactured in roll form; usually set aside for flat roofing or placed in valleys.
  • Roof Shingles: (Back to previous page)
    Asphalt Shingles, Laminated Shingles & Three-Tab Shingle (links)
  • Roof Ventilation: (Back to previous page)
    A static, wind- or power-operated system for removing hot air and moisture from the air under your roof. Includes ridge vents.
  • Saturated Felt: (Back to previous page)
    An asphalt-impregnated felt used as an underlayment between the deck and the roofing material.
  • Sheathing: (Back to previous page)
    Exterior grade plywood or boards used as roof deck material.
  • Slope: (Back to previous page)
    The degree of roof incline expressed as a ratio of the rise in inches to the run of roof.
  • Tar Paper / Underlayment: (Back to previous page)
    A layer of asphalt saturated which is installed over deck before shingles are installed, which provides additional protection for water intrusion.
  • Three-tab shingle {3-tab}: (Back to previous page)
    The most economical type of asphalt shingle.
  • Truss: (Back to previous page)
    A structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight slender members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes Trusses are typically used in parallel to form roofs.