What does that mean?
Talking about Kansas City roofs can seem like a completely different language. It is very confusing if you don’t understand all the terms that Kansas City roofers use. Here is a quick glossary of common roofing terms to help you get up to speed on all things roofing-related.
And remember, Olathe roofing expert Chris Hosch always has you covered. Call Chris at 913-381-2940 for a free roofing consultation or contact us via our online form. The Roofing Man is always more than happy to explain roofing terms so you’re not left wondering what on earth we are talking about!
Common Roofing Terms* (*Source: GAF)
Apron Flashing. Metal flashing used at chimney fronts.
Asphalt. A bituminous waterproofing agent used in various types of roofing materials.
ASTM. The American Society for Testing and Materials. Organization that sets standards for a wide variety of materials, including roofing.
Blistering. Bubbles or pimples in roofing materials. Usually moisture related. In shingles blisters are caused by either moisture under the material or moisture trapped inside the material.
Blow-Offs. When shingles are subjected to high winds, and are forced off a roof deck.
Buckling. When a wrinkle or ripple affects shingles or their underlayments.
Counter Flashing. The metal or siding material that is installed over roof-top base flashing systems.
Crickets. A peaked water diverter installed behind chimneys and other large roof projections. Effectively diverts water around projections.
Cupping. When shingles are improperly installed over an existing roof or are over-exposed, they may form a curl or cup. May also be due to a manufacturing defect.
Deck. The substrate over which roofing is applied. Usually plywood, wood boards, or planks.
Dormer. A raised roof extending out of a larger roof plane.
Drip Edge. An installed lip that keeps shingles up off the deck at edges, and extends shingles out over eaves and gutters.
Eaves. The roof edge from the fascia to the structure’s outside wall. In general terms, the first three feet across a roof is termed the eave.
Flange. Metal pan extending up or down a roof slope around flashing pieces. Usually at chimneys and plumbing vents
Flashing. Materials used to waterproof a roof around any projections
Gable Roof. Traditional roof style; two peaked roof planes meeting at a ridge line of equal size.
Granules. Crushed rock that is coated with a ceramic coating and fired, used as top surface on shingles.
Hip Roof. A roof with four roof planes coming together at a peak and four separate hip legs.
Ice Dam. When a snow load melts on a roof and re-freezes at the eave areas. Ice dams force water to “back-up” under shingles and cause leakage.
Low Slopes. Roof pitches less than 4/12 are considered low sloped roofs. Special installation practices must be used on roofs sloped 2/12-4/12. Shingles can not be installed at slopes less than 2/12.
Mansard. A roof design with a nearly vertical roof plane that ties into a roof plane of less slope at its peak.
Rigid Vent. Hard plastic ridge vent material.
Roof Louvers. Rooftop rectangular shaped roof vents. Also called box vents, mushroom vents, airhawks, soldier vents.
Roof Plane. A roofing area defined by having four separate edges. One side of a gable, hip or mansard roof.
Side Walls. Where a vertical roof plane meets a vertical wall. The sides of dormers etc.
Soffit Ventilation. Intake ventilation installed under the eaves, or at the roof edge.
Steep Slope Roofing. Generally all slopes higher than 4/12 are considered steep slopes.
Tear-Off. Removal of existing roofing materials down to the roof deck.
Telegraphing. When shingles reflect the uneven surface beneath them. Ex: Shingles installed over buckled shingles may show some buckles.
Transitions. When a roof plane ties into another roof plane that has a different pitch or slope.
Underlayments. Asphalt based rolled materials designed to be installed under main roofing material to serve as added protection.
Valleys. Area where two adjoining sloped roof planes intersect on a roof creating a “V” shaped depression.
Vapor. Term used to describe moisture laden air.
Warm Wall. The finished wall inside of a structure, used in roofing to determine how far up the deck to install waterproof underlayments at eaves.
Waterproof Underlayments. Modified bitumen based roofing underlayments. Designed to seal to wood decks and waterproof critical leak areas.
To learn more about Kansas City roofing or to receive a free quote, contact the Roofing Man via our online contact form, or call use 913-381-2940 for a free consultation.