Hello World! Welcome Friends! When the time comes to have your roof repaired or replaced, you have a lot of considerations to make. But trying to determine what the right material is, and whether your contract is in order can be difficult if you don’t understand the terminologies behind them.
While every roof may be a little different depending on architectural style and roofing material, there are many terms that you’re like to run across. Make sure you know what’s happening with your roof by understanding the explanations behind them.
Pitch
Pitch refers to the rate at which your roof rises from its edge to the peak. The faster the rate of rise, the higher the pitch. This is measured by how many inches the roof rises per foot. Most roofs have a pitch somewhere between 4 and 12. Higher pitches may be more difficult to roof and may contribute to higher costs in some instances.
Rise
The rise of a roof is the measurement straight up from the eaves or edge of the roof to the ridge or peak.
Span
The span of a roof is the measurement across it from one eave or edge of the roof to the eave on the opposite side. A roof’s measurement is sometimes referred to as a combination of pitch, rise, and span.
Square
Roofs are often measured in squares. A square refers to 100 square feet, and most materials are sold by the square, so a 1,500-square foot roof will take 15 squares of material.
Roof Deck
The roof deck is the structure beneath your roof material. Usually made of plywood, your roof deck is what supports your roof. The underside can usually be seen from within the attic.
Underlayment
Before your shingles can be installed, your roofer will likely lay down an underlayment, which is a waterproof membrane that covers the deck. Underlayments may be made of many materials, including felt, and may be several weights to accommodate different materials.
Ridge Cap
A ridge cap refers to the particular shingles or material used to cover the peak or ridge of your roof. This may be combined with a ridge vent if you are having attic ventilation installed at the same time.
Flashing
Flashing is the material that is used to help seal in intrusions in your roof, such as a chimney or skylight. Flashing will surround the intrusion and be at least partially covered on the edges by the shingles. Flashing may be made of metal or roll roofing.
Eaves
Eaves are the lowest, nearly horizontal area on the roof, extending out beyond the exterior wall of the house below.
Soffit
The underside of the eaves is known as the soffit. Soffits are usually finished, often with a similar material to the house siding, rather than the roof.
Undereave
An undereave is the soffit area that has not been finished.
Drip Edge
A drip edge is installed on the eaves to direct runoff away from the building. It’s typically made of a non-corrosive, non-staining material.
Eaves Flashing
Flashing may be installed along the eaves to help protect this area of the roof from water backup, which may occur from situations such as ice dams.
Gable Roof
Gable roofs have two slopes – one on either side of the ridge. They have a gable, or a triangular point on the end of a ridge, on either side of the roof.
Granules
The gritty material that covers the surface of asphalt and architectural shingles is known as granules. These granules protect the mat of the shingle, and may be made up of crushed rock and ceramic coating. Some granules may also be infused with copper to prevent staining.
Hip Roof
Hipped roofs have no gables, but instead have four sides with the same slope on each one meeting at an intersection.
Ventilation
Ventilation is often recommended with roofs to help extend their lifetime. This usually consists of vents that allow air to pass through the space below the roof to cool it. Ventilation may be passive, or may contain fans to help assist in the air flow.
Ply
Roofs are sometimes made up in layers. Each layer is referred to as a ply, such as a 1-ply or 2-ply roof.
Roofing Cement
Roofing cement is a material used to seal in the edges of shingles and flashing. It may sometimes be used in minor repairs to help stop leaks.
3-Tab Shingles
Asphalt shingles that have three tabs or cutouts on the edges used for installation purposes.
Laminated Shingle
Laminated or architectural shingles are also sometimes known as three-dimensional shingles. They contain more than one layer of tabs to help create a thicker, more durable shingle and a better residential roof design.
Get to Know Your Roof
While roofs are often complicated with many different parts and angles, they don’t have to remain a mystery. Get to know the parts of your roof better so you can make more informed decisions for your home. This infographic below by Severe Weather Roofing will sure be of great help!
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Hurricane Harvey & the New Norm
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
Roof is the most important part of every building project so you cannot take it lightly. Enough funds and resources should be dedicated for roof in every home construction project. You would ensure the safety of residents as well as reduce the future maintenance charges of the home.