Roofing Terminology Every Homeowner Should Know

Roofing Terminology Every Homeowner Should Know

If you're not a roofing professional, then terms like "decking" and "flashing" might sound confusing. And at the end of the day, roofing terminology may seem like jargon—but as a homeowner, it's important to know them.

This is where Northpoint Roofing Systems comes in. Our team is committed to a standard of going above and beyond for our customers, which is why we're happy to provide you with this helpful roofing terminology guide.

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A to Z of Roofing Terms to Know

Our roofing terminology guide is designed to cover the most common terms you may hear during a roofing project. From decking to underlayment, these are the roofing terms every homeowner should know.

Decking

Commonly made from ½-inch plywood, decking is one of the most important structural features of your home. Decking encloses the structure of the roof, reinforcing its strength and providing a solid nail bed for shingles. When it comes to decking, it's important to understand water and excess moisture must be kept away. If the decking becomes wet, it'll rot and require replacement.

Drip Edge

A drip edge is the metal molding designed to direct rainwater away from potentially infiltrating the roof. The drip edge is built in an L-shape and is attached to the edge of the roof. This allows for water to be blocked from getting underneath the roof's structure while also keeping the fitting intact.

Eaves & Rakes

Eaves are the horizontal edges where your roof and gutters meet. They prevent leaks and damages related to water buildup. Underneath the eave itself is the membrane. The membrane goes under either all or most of the roof's shingles to further prevent water infiltration due to ice dams during the winter.

While eaves are the horizontal edges of a roof, rakes are the angled edges. To differentiate the two, remember rakes are set at an angle while eaves are horizontal. Additionally, if an edge isn't parallel to the ground, it's a rake.

Roofing terminology to know
A to Z of Roofing Terms to Know

Flashing

There are various types of flashing but the one thing they have in common is mold resistance. Flashing is made of aluminum, plastic, or galvanized steel and can be flexible or rigid depending on the application. Flashing is typically found within the valleys of a roof, around roof vents, or at the base of a chimney. For areas on an incline, step flashing is used. Step flashing gets its name because it's installed with individual pieces in a step pattern going up a vertical surface.

Fascia

Fascia are long, straight boards that run along the underside of the roofline. Fascia supports the bottom row of shingles or tiles and prevents moisture from entering. Since the fascia is fixed to the roof's lower trusses, it can carry the additional weight from a gutter system.

Fascia boards come in a variety of materials such as wood, aluminum, vinyl, and plastic. These long, straight boards also create a smooth appearance along the roof's edges, giving your home an aesthetic boost.

Hips & Valleys

Hips are down-sloped ridges that meet between two sloping roof planes, but they aren't found on every roof, such as flat roofing. Common styles include:

  • Hip and Valley
  • Overlaid Hip
  • Cross Hipped
  • Pyramid Hipped

Valleys are identifiable by their V-cut angle that's formed along two slopes of a roof. Valleys dip inward, which is the opposite of hips. Valleys are often reinforced with a special underlayment membrane to protect from water damage.

Another addition of valley flashing can be made to divert rainwater away from the valley and into the gutter system. Valley flashing is particularly helpful for homeowners who live in an area with lots of cold weather and have to worry about ice dams.

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Roof Pitch

Roof pitch refers to the steepness of the roof. A roof's pitch is referenced as "X/12." X is the rise and 12 is the run. If a roof pitch is 6/12, the rise is 6 feet for every 12 feet in length.

Roof Vents

Roof vents play a pivotal role in a home's ventilation. Soffit vents are located at the base of the roof to regulate temperatures and prevent moisture accumulation. Vents also have fins made of plastic or metal with four open sides to capture wind from any direction. This creates a suction effect, pulling the air through the system.

Looking for increased sustainability? Solar vents can help you lower your power bill.

Soffits

Soffits are the enclosed underside of an overhanging eave. Soffits provide an aesthetic and functional purpose for the roof. From an aesthetic standpoint, they cover the eaves of the room making the home look much more tightened up. When it comes to functionality, soffits allow air to be captured and circulated through the roofing system and into the attic. This improves circulation, improves temperatures, and prevents damage related to moisture.

Soffts
Soffits

Starter Shingles

Starter shingles are a pre-cut roofing material installed at the eaves and rakes of the roof before shingles are installed. Starter shingles also come with an adhesive so the first row of shingles is sealed for proper resistance against strong winds.

Interested in the types of shingles we offer? Check out our helpful guide.

Underlayment

Located between the roof deck and the outer layer of the roof, underlayment is an asphalt-saturated felt or synthetic fabric sheet. This roofing component is applied to all other roofing materials as an added layer of weather protection that sheds water. Because of this, it's common for manufacturer warranties to require a professional installation.

Have More Questions About the Different Roofing Terms? Call Northpoint Roofing!

While we haven't covered every roofing term in the book, you'll now have a solid foundation of knowledge in your roofing journey. Whether you need roof repair or replacement, Northpoint Roofing Systems is the company you can trust. Plus, if you ever have questions about further roofing terminology, we're more than happy to answer your call.

Contact us for all of your roofing needs in locations across Georgia to New Hampshire.