Essential Roofing Terminology to Know Before Installing a New Roof

Installing a new roof is a delicate process that you must not get wrong. Otherwise, it may cost you more than you imagine in the future. Let me remind you that if your roof starts having issues, it may affect other aspects of your home. But you need to learn some elementary roofing terminology to be able to hire the right contractor.
 
There’s nothing as frustrating as a roofer bombarding you with roofing terminology that you don’t understand. This may sound strange to you, but a few of my clients have undergone such a situation before. Trust me; it is not a pleasant experience.

I had seen situations when roofers confused homeowners with roofing terminology to get the contract. But they ended up being unprofessional. So, any homeowner planning to install a new roof will find this article very handy.
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Sorry to disappoint you… But if you aren’t familiar with roofing terminology, you may spend more on your roof installation. Just imagine spending over a thousand dollars on a roof without knowing what you are getting. It is annoying, right? Well, this is why you should learn some roofing slang before hiring a roofer.
 
Some Common Roofing Terminology Every Homeowner Should Learn
 
Underlayment
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 Contractors like using the term underlayment a lot. It’s a black paper that the roofer places over the plywood sheeting. The essence of using underlayment is to seal and protect the top of the roof from sun, ice, snow, and rain.
 
Every underlayment you see on roofs has three functions; Sweat absorber, waterproof barrier, and vapor sheet.
 
Flashing

Every homeowner must have heard of flashing a couple of times. It is a metal piece that redirects and prevents water from reaching your roof hips and valleys.
 
Since flashing is a common roofing terminology, we will spend more time explaining it.
Generally, flashings are of four different types, there are;
 
Drip Edge Flashing

This is the flashing that contractors install at the edge of the roof where you mount the gutter
 
Base Flashing

This is another common type of flashing that you can apply directly to the roof. Some roofers may call it step flashing.
 
Cap Flashing

Commonly called counter flashing, it’s used around chimney or walls.
 
Valley Flashing

As the name implies, contractors use them at the valley of the roof.
 
Decking

Decking is another confusing roofing terminology homeowners should know. It serves as an essential structure of your roof. It usually holds your roof’s structure against the upper room’s walls. One of the main functions of the deck is the balancing of roofing materials weights.
 
Eaves

The eave is another familiar roofing terminology homeowners should be aware of. It refers to the roof’s edge that hangs over the perimeter wall of your house.
 
Eave Flashing

The eave flashing helps to protect your roof from water back-up. It’s usually connected to the eaves.
 
Gutters

Gutters are often installed at eaves’ edges. It helps to channel water from the eaves to the downspouts.
 
Ridges

Ridges are at the highest peak on your roof. It refers to the point where two lines meet on the roof. Ordinarily, ridge vents ought to be at edges; this will pave the way for hot air to escape from upper roof space.
 
Roof Valley

A roof valley is usually at the point where two rooftop slant meet. Once your roof starts failing, it begins from the roof valley.
 
Ventilation

A sound ventilation system elongates your roof service life. Ventilation refers to the flow of air through your attic system. With this airflow, hot air and moisture can escape through your roof.

Interestingly, a sound ventilation system will make your roof deck very cold and your home more comfortable.
 
Hip

The hip of a roof is the high point where two connecting segments of a rooftop meeting. Whenever two slants meet to make a ridge, there’s a hip. Most times, the hip of your roof is vulnerable to leakage. But you can use hip tiles to cover leaks from the hip zone.
 
Pitch

Pitch is the steepness or slope of a roof. It may interest you to know that a rooftop slant is proportional to the rise in its feet and the span.

Drip Edges

Drip edges are non-corrosive materials used along your roof’s eaves and lakes. They function to create a pathway for water run-off.
 
Gables

Do you know the triangular bits you see at the end of your roof? They often reach out from eaves to the roof’s peak.
 
Rake Edge

Rake Edge is the perimeter edge of a roof that is installed along the eaves. It usually runs through the ridge and perpendicular to the eaves and ridges.
 
Soil Stack

Soil stack is any pipe that runs through the top of a roof and vents out the plumbing of a building.
 
Dormer

Any protruded segment from your rooftop is called dormer. Contractors install them on your roof for better lighting to your attic.
 
Rafters

Rafters are wooden pillars that give skeleton to the top of your roof. Most times, it serves as a base for insulation, tiles, or slates.
 
Fascias

Fascias are a vertical trim on the edge of your building. It’s the panel wood between the roof and the wall where you installed your gutters.
 
Square

Square refers to a rooftop measurement unit that covers 100 square feet. You will hear about this roofing terminology more often during your new roof installation.
 
Cricket

Cricket is a saddle that helps to predict and catch snow and ice. It’s often installed at the back of your roof’s chimney. Cricket also prevents water from entering the smokestack. Once installed on your roof, it manages runoff water that usually occurs between two roof peaks.
 
Conclusion

There are some of the common roofing terminologies you will often hear when installing a new roof. But there are more advanced ones you are likely to encounter. Don’t hesitate to ask your roofer question if he’s using any roofing terminology you aren’t familiar with. That will help you learn better.

If you need a professional roofer to help you install your new roof, Suburban roofing is a force to reckon with it.