Roofing Terminology

Here are some commonly used terms in our industry.

Cricket: A small, elevated area used to divert water from a horizontal intersection of the roof with a chimney, wall, expansion joint or other projection

Deck/Sheathing: The base material, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), that we attach roofing components to

Dormer: A small structure jutting out from a sloped roof, usually with a window

Drip-Edge: An L-shaped strip, usually metal, installed along the edge of a roof. This allows water to run to the end of a roof, instead of dripping onto a deck or siding

Eave(s): The lower border of the roof that runs parallel to the ground and hangs over the wall

Fascia: A board, or “face,” at the edge of an eave

Felt/Underlayment: Often called “tar paper,” this is placed between the sheathing and shingles to provide extra protection for the deck

Flashing: Waterproof pieces that redirect water and protect various openings and intersections in a roof, such as chimneys, vents or pipes. 

Gable: Triangular section of the outer wall at the peak of the roof. Similar to a Dormer, but Gables normally have vents instead of windows

Hip: The intersection of 2 roof planes that meet to form a ridge that slopes from the peak to the eave

Ice and Water Barrier: Waterproofing membrane used along eaves and valleys to protect these sensitive areas against ice damage and wind-driven rain

Pipe Boot: A specific piece of flashing designed to fit a round pipe

Rafters: The roof support system, or “frame,” to which the roof deck is attached

Rake: The inclined edge of the roof over a wall

Square: The common measurement for roof area. One square is 100 square feet (10’x10’)

Soffit: The exposed undersurface of an eave overhanging a wall

Truss: Specially built components that supplement rafters. Trusses are built for specific applications and cannot be altered