Roofing terms by: Bill Holdren

Architectural, Dimensional or Laminate Shingle: Shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to add dimension and durability.

CDX: Type of plywood used for roof decks.

Counter Flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

Cricket: A peaked saddle construction at the back of a chimney to prevent the accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water away from the chimney.

Deck: The structural base for the roof, usually made of wood or plywood.

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Dormer: The structure containing a window set vertically and projecting through a sloping roof.

Eave:The lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall (See Soffit)

Exposure: The part of each shingle that is exposed to the weather.

Fascia: Horizontal board used to finish rafter tails.

Felt: Slang term for a layer of asphalt-saturated felt (sometimes referred to as tar paper) which is applied to a bare roof deck before the shingles are installed.

Flashing: Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys.

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Gable: The vertical triangular end wall of a building. Also a type of roof.

Hip: An intersection of two roof planes which meet to form a sloping ridge that runs down the roof from the peak to the eave.

Metal Drip Edge: A narrow strip of non-corrosive metal used at the bottom of the eave to facilitate water runoff.

"No-Caulk" Flashing: A pre-formed sleeve made of rubber and a non-corrosive metal (aluminum) that fits around vent pipes extending from a roof to create a water tight seal. Also called pipe flashing, vent sleeve or collar.

Rafter: The supporting framing member directly under the roof deck that runs from the ridge of the roof to the wall plate.

Rake: The outer edge of the roof from the eave to the ridge.

Ridge: The uppermost horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping planes.

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Soffit: The finished underside of the eaves. (See Eaves)

Square: The term used to identify the area of a roof. One square is equal to 100 square feet. Roofing shingles are sold by the square. 3 bundles of 3-tab shingles equals one square. Architectural shingles are four bundles per square.

Three -Tab Shingles: A tab is the exposed part of a shingle that is separated by cut-outs. A single standard shingle will have three 'tabs' per shingle.

Underlayment: Asphalt saturated felt used beneath roofing to provide additional protection for the deck. Also called Felt.

Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping planes.

Vent: Any outlet for air that protrudes through the roof deck such as a pipe or stack. Any device installed on a roof for the purpose of ventilating the underside of a roof deck.

Waterproofing Underlayment: A sticky membrane used under roofing shingles on low pitched areas of a roof to protect the roof deck from ice and snow damming and slow water run off.

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