Roofing is like any other industry in that it has special lingo all its own. Roofing terminology can be pretty confusing to someone who isn’t familiar with the industry, and if you have yet to get any roof work done, then you likely don’t know even the most basic terms. There is no need for embarrassment, however. We’ve encountered many homeowners over the course of time who simply had no idea just what we were talking to them about. If you’re hoping to really give your roof appropriate attention, then it’s a good idea to learn the lingo. Before you sign a contract with any roofer, educate yourself with at least the fundamental terminology roofers often use. This article lists some of the more frequently tossed around terms that roofers across the country use.
Keep reading into the following paragraphs to get familiar with the words you may soon be using and hearing. Learning some or all of these terms can help you be on the same wavelength as your roofer, making it easier to make decisions and voice your choices and concerns.
Asphalt Granules: These are the tiny particles that are on the surfaces of asphalt shingles. They’re typically made from ceramic coated crushed rock. Granules improve how the shingles appear, improve your roof’s fire resistance, and give it protection from sunlight. These granules can also get chipped off when the shingles suffer damage. They also might clog up your gutter, which can result in water damage.
Asphalt Shingle: This particular term probably isn’t that hard to understand. Asphalt is quite a popular material used in shingle manufacturing or construction around the world. In fact, it’s actually the most frequent choice for roofing material in the United States. Homeowners pick asphalt shingles given their comparatively low price, long lifespan, and easy installation.
Dormer: The dormer is specifically installed along the upper edges of your home’s windows that’s actually part of the roof’s projecting slant. It adds another layer of protection to your home.
Eaves: This is that part of the roof that sticks out over the walls of your home.
Fascia: This is a layer of boards fitted on top of your rafters for another layer of protection. Fascia might also get fitted on your home’s walls.
Ridge: This is an angle that is formed where two sloping roof planes wind up intersecting. It’s an external angle.
Roof Flashing: These is made from special materials at transitional points or valleys in your roof so that they stay watertight and airtight. Roof flashing is an integral component of any particular installation process, and without it, your roof would be constantly exposed to potential leaks. Flashing typically happens around sky lights, chimneys, and other roof intersections.
Roof Gutters: Similar to lawn or bathroom gutters, these are here to drain water and prevent it from pooling on top. This is a water channel that rain water can go pouring down. Gutters are likely to get clogged when a roof isn’t maintained, and that can trigger roof water damage.
Truss: In the roofing sense, a truss is a particular piece of material which adds some extra support to rafters.
Underlayment: An underlayment happens under a layer of shingles that offers the roof extra strength and protection.
Valleys: Roof valleys are any dip that is formed when a pair of downward slopes intersect with one another. They usually form a V-shaped area that needs flashing in order to stay watertight.
Vents: Roof vents are like vents that get installed inside your home. The purpose behind a vent is of course ventilation, providing your home fresh air. This can typically happen through the roof deck, but in truth, any extra outlet of air might also serve as a vent.
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