If you’re just starting out in the roofing industry, getting up to speed on everything you need to know can be overwhelming. This is especially true when it comes to learning different roofing terms and phrases, which you may not have heard before.
As the #1 roofing software, AccuLynx has experience helping contractors navigate the roofing industry with the tools they need to succeed. We’ve put together this glossary of the most common roofing terms to help you better understand industry lingo and get off to a great start.
In this blog, you’ll learn:
- The importance of understanding roofing terms
- Roof structure terms
- Roof measurement terms
- Roof material terms
- Roofing trade terms
- Roofing technology terms
- Why you should partner with AccuLynx
The importance of understanding roofing terms
Whether you’re sharing instructions with crews, pointing out damage to an adjuster, or guiding a homeowner through the claims process, you need to be able to effectively communicate. Part of that means understanding the language and being able to use the right terms as you explain everything to the customer.
Roof structure terms
Roof structure terms encompass essential components that provide structural support and enhance the roof’s aesthetics. Failing to understand these terms could result in miscommunication that impacts the structural integrity of a roof or the quality of work that your team performs.
Cricket: Peaked structure placed at the back of a chimney to help divert water and reduce ice formation.
Dormer: Window that projects vertically from the plane of a pitched roof, requiring extra roofing material to cover it.
Eave: Portion of the roof that hangs over the home, typically where gutters are installed.
Fascia: Long, straight boards that run below the roof level and are attached to the lower roof trusses. Fascia are used to block moisture, support the gutters, and create a smooth appearance along the roofline.
Gable: Triangular area of a building’s end wall that is located directly beneath the sloping roof and above the eave line.
Head lap: Overlapping portion of shingles above a lower course to prevent water penetration.
Hip: Where 3 to 4 sloped surfaces meet together. On a “hip roof,” the edges of the roof are enclosed.
Ice dam: Buildup of ice at the eaves of a roof, preventing proper drainage and potentially causing leaks.
Ice dam protection: Techniques and materials, like ice and water shield underlayment, proper attic insulation and ventilation, and heated cables, designed to prevent ice dams that can lead to roof damage and interior leaks by managing roof temperature and water flow.
Nesting: Arrangement of shingles in a manner that minimizes waste and maximizes coverage.
Overhang: Part of the roof that extends beyond the walls of the building.
Rafter: Load-bearing structural beam that is located beneath the deck and spans from the ridge to the wall plate.
Rake: Angled, exposed edge of a pitched roof slope.
Ridge: Peak where two sections of roof slopes intersect.
Soffit: Covering on the underside of the roof overhang, directly below the eaves. Soffits hide visible rafters, as well as helping facilitate air circulation throughout the roofing system.
Valley: Line formed where two sloped roof surfaces meet.
Vent: Enclosed structure that helps move air through the roofing system to regulate the temperature and reduce moisture accumulation.
Roof measurement terms
Whether you’re measuring by hand or using a third party to obtain the roofing measurements you need to complete a job, you’ll need a strong understanding of each term listed to do so accurately. Without them, you could end up making costly errors when creating estimates and ordering materials.
Coverage: Area that a certain quantity of roofing material will cover, often measured in squares.
Pitch: Steepness of a roof, calculated by dividing the rise by the span. For example, a roof with a rise of 12 feet and a span of 24 feet has a pitch of 1/2.
Slope: Ratio of the rise to the run. For example, a roof that rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of run has a slope of 6:12. While pitch and slope are sometimes used interchangeably, they are designed to convey different information about the incline of a roof.
Span: Horizontal distance from one eave to another.
Square: Measurement of 100 square feet, commonly referred to in roofing jobs as “squares.”
Rise: Vertical distance from the eave line to the ridge.
Run: Half of the span, measured from one of the eaves to the ridge.
Roof material terms
Roofing materials come in many different types, shapes, sizes, and colors. You may have to follow specific HOA regulations or educate homeowners about the latest residential roofing trends, and you will need to understand these terms in order to do so.
ARMA: Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, an organization representing manufacturers of asphalt roofing materials.
ASTM International: An international standards organization that develops and publishes technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services.
Asphalt: Black, sticky substance made from petroleum used in roofing materials for waterproofing and durability.
Asphalt primer: Liquid adhesive used to prepare surfaces for the application of asphalt roofing materials.
Back surfacing: Coating applied to the back of shingles to prevent sticking during storage.
Bundle: Packaging unit for roofing shingles, typically containing a specific number of shingles.
Caulk: Flexible sealing compound used to fill gaps and seams to prevent water intrusion.
Closed cut valley: Roofing installation technique where shingles are cut and laid over a valley, minimizing exposed edges.
Decking: Wooden material that serves as the foundation for the rest of the roofing materials, which are nailed on top of it. It is typically made of plywood, oriented strand board, or wooden planks. Decking is sometimes also referred to as “sheathing.”
Downspout: Pipe that directs rainwater from a gutter to the ground or drainage system.
Drip edge: Flashing attached to the edge of the roof to direct water away from the building.
Felt: Material made from wool, fiberglass, or other fibers used as an underlayment for roofing.
Fiberglass mat: Base material used in roofing products that provides strength and durability.
Flashing: Metal molding which prevents water from seeping into the roof. Flashing is typically found at intersection points such as chimneys, vent pipes, or adjoining walls. Common flashing materials include aluminum, steel, and copper.
Granules: Small, colored stones embedded in shingles for UV protection and aesthetics.
Gutter: Channel installed along the roof edge to collect and direct rainwater away from the building.
Layer: Single sheet of roofing material.
Mastic: Thick adhesive used for sealing roofing joints and seams.
Membrane: Flexible material used to waterproof the roof. Roof membranes can be made of a single material or several materials laminated together.
Mineral-surfaced roofing: Roofing products with a surface layer of mineral granules for protection and aesthetics.
Shingle: Roof’s primary covering. Roofers commonly install asphalt-fiberglass shingles, although other materials exist. Common varieties of shingles include three-tab, architectural/dimensional, and designer.
Solar shingle: New type of shingle made of photovoltaic material, which absorbs sunlight and converts it to electricity. Solar shingles are increasingly being used as an alternative to installing solar panels on a roof.
Underlayment: Synthetic or felt sheet installed directly above the roof decking to provide additional protection from water and weather damage.
Roofing trade terms
Understanding roofing trade terms is necessary for contractors to be able to communicate with homeowners and third parties. These terms play a critical role in making informed decisions and give you the ability to navigate projects with confidence based on the goals and budget.
Algae discoloration: Stains on roofing materials caused by algae growth, often seen as dark streaks.
Blisters: Bubbles that form under roofing materials, often due to moisture or heat.
Bridging: When roofing materials do not adhere properly, creating visible ridges.
Class “A, B, C” fire resistance: Highest, middle, or lowest rating for fire resistance in roofing materials, indicating minimal flame spread.
Cool roofing: Roofing system designed to reduce the surface temperature of the roof and increase the energy efficiency of the building. Cool roofing materials are certified by the Cool Roof Rating Council as having a minimum solar reflectance of at least 0.70 and a minimum thermal emittance of at least 0.75.
Double coverage: Installation technique where each shingle is covered by another, providing extra protection.
Green roofing: Roofing system that includes living plant material and a growing medium (such as soil), placed above a waterproofing membrane. Green roofs are increasingly popular as a way to reduce the ecological impact of a building, absorb rainwater, and add more greenery to urban areas.
Insurance restoration roofing: Type of roofing work where contractors are paid by homeowners’ insurance companies rather than the homeowners themselves. Insurance restoration contractors typically work to repair and replace roofs after hurricanes, hailstorms and other severe weather events.
Low-slope roofing: Term for roofing jobs where the roof has a slope ratio of less than 2:12.
Ponding: Accumulation of water on a flat roof, which can lead to leaks and structural damage.
Racking: Method of shingle installation where they are installed in a vertical pattern rather than staggered.
Reroofing: Process of replacing a roof by completely removing the old materials and installing a new roofing system.
Roll roofing: Roofing material sold in large rolls, typically used for low-slope roofs.
Roofing tape: Adhesive tape used to seal seams and joints in roofing
Solar roofing: Solar panels or solar shingles, either on an existing roof or as part of a roof replacement. Customers may request solar roofing if they are looking to save money on their electricity bill or create a more sustainable structure.
Steep slope roofing: Roofing jobs where the roof has a slope ratio of greater than or equal to 2:12.
Roofing technology terms
Roofing software helps you get organized and save valuable time by quickly capturing measurements, creating estimates, managing jobs, and more. The terms below will help you get familiar with the tech you could be using to grow your company and beat out competition.
Aerial measurements: Roof measurements generated from images of roofs captured by planes or drones. Aerial measurements are generally more accurate than measuring a roof by hand, as well as being faster and safer to obtain. Three commonly used aerial measurement providers are EagleView, GAF QuickMeasure, and Hover.
Business management software: Set of programs, or a single system, that allows roofing contractors to run, improve, and automate their processes.
CRM: Short for “customer relationship management.” CRM technology helps manage relationships and interactions with leads and customers.
KPI: Short for “key performance indicator.” KPIs are data points related to the most important aspects of a roofing company’s business performance, such as sales, production and profits.
Roofing app: Roofing apps are designed to help roofing businesses and crews work more efficiently from the field, enabling them to use mobile devices to complete daily tasks. Roofing apps can include canvassing and sales apps, photo apps, design apps, mobile crew apps, and all-in-one software solutions.
Why you should partner with AccuLynx
Succeeding in the roofing industry requires more than just knowledge—you also need the right tools for the job. AccuLynx is designed to help your business work smarter, increase productivity, and grow profits.
To learn more about how our unique insights and powerful technology can give your roofing business the tools you need to succeed, schedule a custom demo today.
