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Term
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Definition
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Algae Discoloration
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Dark streaks caused by algae growth, common in humid climates; mostly cosmetic.
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ARMA
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Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association; sets industry standards and guidance.
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Architectural Shingles
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Thicker, layered asphalt shingles that add dimension and better wind resistance.
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Asphalt
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Petroleum-based material used in shingles, underlayment, and roof cement for waterproofing.
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Asphalt Primer
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Liquid coating applied before asphalt products to improve adhesion.
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Asphalt Roof Cement
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Thick adhesive used to seal flashing, shingles, and small repairs.
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Asphalt Shingle
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Most common residential shingle made of asphalt-coated mat with granules.
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ASTM
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Organization that sets material testing standards used in roofing specs.
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Attic Vent
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Opening or device that allows heat and moisture to escape the attic.
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Back Surfacing
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Sand or mineral coating on the back of shingles to prevent sticking.
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Base Flashing
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Flashing installed first at walls or chimneys to direct water away.
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Base Sheet
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Bottom layer in multi-ply or modified bitumen systems.
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Base-Ply Sheet
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First ply installed in built-up or modified bitumen roofing.
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Blend
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Mix of colors or shingles to create a uniform roof look.
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Blisters
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Raised bubbles in shingles caused by trapped moisture or heat.
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Bridging
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Shingles failing to lie flat due to uneven decking or improper nailing.
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Building Components
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All structural and exterior parts that make up the roof system.
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Built-Up Roof
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Multi-layer roof system made of bitumen and reinforcing fabric.
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Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
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Same as built-up roof; often called tar and gravel roofing.
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Bundle
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Pack of shingles; typically three bundles equal one roofing square.
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Butt Edge
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Bottom edge of a shingle that overlaps the course below.
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Cant Strip
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Angled strip that helps roofing transition smoothly to vertical surfaces.
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Cap Flashing
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Protective flashing installed over base flashing.
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Cap Sheet
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Top layer of a modified bitumen or BUR system.
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Caulk
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Flexible sealant used to close small gaps and joints.
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Cement
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General term for adhesives used in roofing (often asphalt-based).
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Chalk Line
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String coated with chalk used to mark straight lines during installation.
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Class A Fire Resistance
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Highest fire resistance rating for roofing materials.
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Class B Fire Resistance
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Moderate fire resistance rating.
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Class C Fire Resistance
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Basic fire resistance rating.
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Class 4 Impact Resistance
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Highest impact rating for shingles, tested against hail damage.
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Closed Cut Valley
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Valley style where shingles are cut in a straight line over flashing.
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Closed Valley
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Valley covered by shingles rather than exposed metal.
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Coating
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Liquid layer applied to protect or extend roof life.
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Collar
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Ring or seal around roof penetrations like pipes.
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Collars
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Plural of collar; seals around multiple penetrations.
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Concealed Nail Method
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Nails are hidden under shingles for better water protection.
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Condensation
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Moisture buildup from warm air meeting cold surfaces.
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Cool Roof Shingle
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Reflective shingle designed to reduce heat absorption.
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Counter Flashing
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Secondary flashing layered over base flashing, often in masonry.
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Course
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A single horizontal row of shingles.
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Coverage
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Area a roofing material covers, usually per square or bundle.
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Cricket
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Raised structure that diverts water around chimneys.
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Cupola
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Decorative roof feature that can also provide ventilation.
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Cutout
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Notches in older shingle designs that create tab shapes.
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Dead Level
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Perfectly horizontal with no slope.
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Deck / Decking
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Flat surface attached to rafters or trusses that supports roofing materials.
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Designer Shingle
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Premium shingle designed to mimic slate, wood, or tile.
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Dormer
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Roof extension with a window that adds space and light.
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Double Coverage
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Two layers of material for added protection, often at eaves.
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Downspout
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Vertical pipe carrying water from gutters to ground level.
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Drip Course
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Course designed to help shed water away from edges.
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Drip Edge
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Metal edging that directs water into gutters.
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Eave
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Lower edge of the roof that overhangs walls.
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Eave Flashing
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Extra protection installed along eaves to prevent leaks.
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Emissivity
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Ability of a surface to release absorbed heat.
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Exposed Nail Method
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Nails are visible; more common on low-slope or roll roofing.
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Exposure
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Portion of shingle visible after installation.
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Fascia
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Vertical board at roof edge where gutters attach.
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Felt
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Traditional paper-based underlayment under shingles.
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Fiberglass Mat
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Reinforcing base used in modern asphalt shingles.
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Flashing
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Metal pieces that seal joints and transitions.
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Flashing Cement
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Adhesive used to seal flashing edges.
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Gable
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Triangular wall section under sloped roof edges.
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Gable Roof
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Roof with two sloping sides forming a ridge.
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Gambrel Roof
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Two slopes per side, commonly seen on barns.
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Granules
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Mineral coating on shingles that protects from UV rays.
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Gravel Stop
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Metal edge that holds gravel in place on flat roofs.
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Gutter
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Channel that collects rainwater from the roof.
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Head Lap
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Amount one shingle overlaps another vertically.
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Hexagonal Shingles
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Decorative shingles shaped like hexagons.
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High Nailing
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Nails placed too high, reducing shingle wind resistance.
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Hip
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External angle where two roof slopes meet.
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Hip Roof
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Roof sloping on all sides with hips instead of gables.
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Hip Shingles
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Special shingles used to cover hips and ridges.
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Ice Dam
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Ice buildup that blocks water flow and causes leaks.
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Ice Dam Protection
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Waterproof membrane installed at eaves to prevent ice damage.
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Impact Resistant Shingles
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Shingles designed to withstand hail impact.
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Interlocking Shingles
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Shingles that lock together for added wind resistance.
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Laminated Shingles
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Multi-layer shingles; another name for architectural shingles.
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Lap
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Overlapping of roofing materials.
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Lap Cement
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Cement used to seal overlaps in roofing materials.
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Leaks
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Water intrusion caused by failed materials or installation.
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Lock Shingles
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Shingles designed to mechanically lock together.
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Low Slope Application
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Roofing installation on roofs with minimal pitch.
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Mansard Roof
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Four-sided roof with steep lower slopes.
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Mastic
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Thick adhesive used for sealing and repairs.
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Mid-Ply Sheet
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Middle layer in multi-ply roofing systems.
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Mineral Stabilizers
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Fillers added to asphalt for strength and durability.
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Mineral-Surfaced Roofing
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Roofing with mineral granule surface for protection.
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Modified Bitumen
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Asphalt-based roofing reinforced with polymers.
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Nailing Pattern
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Required layout of nails for proper shingle performance.
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Nails
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Metal fasteners securing shingles and materials.
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Nesting
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Using different shingle patterns to reduce waste.
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No-Cutout Shingles
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Solid shingles without tabs or cutouts.
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Non-Veneer Panel
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Structural panel not used as decorative veneer.
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Open Valley
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Valley where metal flashing remains visible.
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Organic Felt
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Traditional felt made from cellulose fibers.
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Organic Shingles
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Older shingle type made with organic mat (less common today).
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Overhang
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Portion of roof extending beyond walls.
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Overlayment / Recovering
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Installing new roofing over existing materials.
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Pallets
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Platforms used to transport roofing materials.
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Penetration
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Any object passing through the roof (vents, pipes).
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Pitch
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Steepness of the roof.
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Ply
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Single layer in a multi-layer roofing system.
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Ponding
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Standing water remaining after 48 hours.
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Primer
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Pre-coating that improves adhesion.
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Racking
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Vertical shingle alignment that can look uneven.
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Rafter / Rafters
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Sloped beams supporting the roof deck.
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Rake
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Sloped edge along gable ends.
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Random-Tab Shingles
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Shingles with varied tab sizes for texture.
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Release Tape
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Plastic strip removed to activate sealing strip.
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Reroofing
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Installing a new roof over an existing one.
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Ridge
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Peak where roof slopes meet.
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Ridge Cap Shingles
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Shingles designed to cover ridges and hips.
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Ridge Shingles
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Same as ridge cap shingles.
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Rise
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Vertical height of roof slope.
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Roll Roofing
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Asphalt roofing sold in rolls for low-slope roofs.
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Roof Deck Protection
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Protective layer installed over decking.
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Roof Ridge Vent
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Vent installed along ridge for attic airflow.
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Roofing Tape
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Adhesive tape used to seal seams and repairs.
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Run
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Horizontal length in roof slope calculations.
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Saturant
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Asphalt that saturates felt or mats.
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Saturated Felt
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Felt infused with asphalt for waterproofing.
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SBS
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Rubber modifier that adds flexibility.
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Seal Down
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Process of shingles bonding via heat.
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Self-Adhering Membrane
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Peel-and-stick waterproof membrane.
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Self-Adhering Shingle Underlayment
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Adhesive underlayment installed under shingles.
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Self-Sealing Shingles
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Shingles with built-in adhesive strips.
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Self-Sealing Strip or Spot
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Adhesive area that bonds shingles together.
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Selvage
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Edge area of roll roofing for overlap.
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Shading
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Color variation from lighting or granule distribution.
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Sheathing
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Another term for roof decking.
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Shed Roof
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Single-slope roof design.
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Shiner
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Exposed nail head left uncovered.
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Shingle Starter Strip
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First course installed at eaves for sealing.
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Shingles
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Individual overlapping roof covering units.
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Side Lap
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Horizontal overlap between roofing materials.
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Skirt Flashing
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Flashing used around roof-mounted structures.
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Slope
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Angle of the roof surface.
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Smooth-Surfaced Roofing
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Roofing without mineral granules.
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Soffit
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Underside of roof overhang.
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Soffit Vent
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Vent installed in soffit for airflow.
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Soil Stack
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Vent pipe for plumbing system.
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Solar Panels
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Panels installed on roofs to generate electricity.
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Span
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Distance between structural supports.
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Spire
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Tall pointed roof element, often decorative.
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Square
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100 square feet of roofing area.
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Square-Tab Shingles
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Another term for 3-tab shingles.
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Standard Slope Application
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Roofing installation on typical pitched roofs.
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Steep Slope Application
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Roofing installation on steep roofs requiring extra safety.
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Step Flashing
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Individual flashing pieces layered with shingles.
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Strip Shingles
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Continuous asphalt shingles with cut tabs.
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Synthetic Underlayment
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Plastic-based underlayment with higher durability.
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Tab
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Individual section of a 3-tab shingle.
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Talc
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Powder used to prevent sticking during manufacturing.
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Tear Off / Tear-Off
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Removing old roofing before installing new.
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Telegraphing
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Deck imperfections showing through shingles.
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Three-Dimensional Shingles
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Architectural shingles with layered depth.
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Top Lap
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Upper overlap of roofing materials.
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Truss
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Factory-built roof framing unit.
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UL
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Underwriters Laboratories; tests safety and fire ratings.
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UL Label
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Mark showing UL certification.
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Underlayment
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Protective layer between decking and roofing material.
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Valley
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Area where two roof slopes meet.
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Vapor Barrier
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Layer that blocks moisture movement.
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Vapor Diffusion Retarder
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Slows moisture transfer rather than fully blocking it.
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Vent
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Opening that allows air movement.
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Vent Pipe
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Pipe that vents plumbing gases through the roof.
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Vent Sleeve
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Protective cover around vent pipes.
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Ventilation
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System that controls airflow and moisture.
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Woven Valley
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Valley formed by weaving shingles from both sides.
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