Roofing Terms & Definitions

Roof blisters are bubbles that may form on the surface of an asphalt roof after installation.

A buckle in a roofing system is a displacement of a roof membrane that has continued to occur over insulation or deck joints. A roof buckling may be a result of the roof deck shifting or the underlayment wrinkled.

The amount of weather protection provided by the specific roofing material. This depends on the number of layers of material used between the exposed surface and the roofing deck resulting in single coverage, double coverage, etc.

Vertical pipes connected to your roof’s gutters that direct rainfall from the gutters to the ground.

Metal flashing located on the edges of a roof, designed to keep water away from the fascia & other roof components.

Are the underside of your roof that overhangs and helps to protect your home’s siding and foundation. There are 3 common types of eaves:

1. Closed eaves

   Overhang that is closed with a soffit

2. Open eaves

   Overhang that is not equipped with a soffit, i.e. you can directly see the rafters

3. Boxed eaves

   Overhang that is enclosed by soffits and molding and conceals the rafters

Boards found on a roof’s overhang that help hold up your gutters and support your shingles.

A layer of waterproof material on your roof that prevents water leaks by directing the flow down the roof and into your gutter system. There are several different types of flashing, including:

• Counter flashing
• Base flashing
• Step flashing
• Continuous flashing

A trough that’s placed on the perimeter of a roof and works to collect and discharge rainwater from your roof to the ground.

Gutter guards are gutter coverings that are designed to catch debris on your roof.

A ridge of ice typically found on the edge of your roof that occurs when snow keeps thawing and refreezing, preventing melting snow from properly draining off the roof. Can lead to damaged gutters, walls, insulation, etc.

Are long wood boards used to frame a roof.

The outer part of a gable roof and covers a roof’s top edge, it refers to the sloped sides at the end of a gable.

Also called roof sheathing, roof decking are the wooden boards that make up the foundation of your roofing system. It is what all roofing components are secured to.

A calculation to determine the steepness of a roof.

The surface a roofing system is applied on is called a roof substrate. It can include the roof deck, insulation system, or a pre-existing roof system. The type of substrate used for a roofing system depends on the type of construction and unique needs of the building.

Is installed directly on your roof deck and acts as a barrier to protect your roof from the elements. There are three main types: felt, self-adhered, and synthetic.

Soffits are the exposed siding beneath a roof’s overhang (eaves) that help with your home’s ventilation between the roof and the attic.

Any device used to allow air to escape from the underside of the roof deck. A vent usually protrudes through the roof deck like a pipe or stack.