Roofing Glossary

At Kuykendall Roofing, we believe that an informed customer is an empowered customer. Understanding roofing terminology helps you make better decisions for your home or business. Below is a comprehensive, alphabetized glossary of roofing terms to familiarize yourself with the language of the industry. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Roofing Terms (A-Z)

A

• Aggregate: Crushed stone or gravel used on built-up roofing systems.
• Alligatoring: Cracking on a roof’s surface resembling an alligator’s skin, often caused by aging or UV exposure.
• Asphalt: A waterproofing agent used in shingles and other roofing materials.
• Apron Flashing: Flashing used at the juncture where a sloped roof meets a vertical wall or chimney.

B

• Blistering: Bubbles in shingles caused by moisture trapped inside or beneath the material.
• Blow-offs: Shingles that are removed from the roof by strong winds.
• Built-up Roof (BUR): A roofing system with multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets for durability.

C

• Cricket: A small, raised area of the roof used to divert water from chimneys or other roof projections.
• Counter-Flashing: Flashing installed to cover and protect base flashing at walls and chimneys.
• Cupping: When shingles curl at the edges due to improper installation or aging.

D

• Deck: The foundation of the roof, typically made from plywood or wood planks, to which roofing materials are applied.
• Dormer: A roof feature that protrudes from the main roof, often housing a window.
• Dry Rot: Wood decay caused by fungi, often due to excess moisture from roof leaks.

E

• Eaves: The lower edge of the roof that extends beyond the exterior wall.
• End Lap: The overlap area between two adjacent rolls of roofing material.
• Exposure: The portion of a roofing material that remains exposed to the elements.

F

• Fascia: The vertical board at the roof’s edge that often supports gutters.
• Flashing: Metal or other materials used to prevent water penetration at roof intersections or projections.
• Flood Coat: An extra layer of bitumen on a roof, often followed by a layer of gravel for protection.

G

• Granules: Small, ceramic-coated rocks embedded in shingles for UV protection and durability.
• Gutter: A channel along the roof’s edge used to collect and direct rainwater away from the building.
• Gable Roof: A traditional roof style with two sloping planes meeting at a ridge.

H

• Hip Roof: A roof with slopes on all sides, meeting at a ridge or point.
• Hot-Mop: Application of hot asphalt during a built-up roof installation.

L

• Low-Slope Roof: A roof with a gentle pitch, typically 2:12 or less, requiring special materials to ensure proper drainage.
• Laminated Shingles: Also known as architectural shingles, these provide a multi-dimensional appearance and enhanced durability.

M

• Mansard Roof: A roof with two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being much steeper.
• Modified Bitumen: A roofing material made from asphalt and polymers, offering durability and flexibility.
• Membrane: A continuous roofing layer that provides waterproofing protection.

R

• Racking: A method of shingle installation that involves placing rows vertically, rather than horizontally.
• Ridge: The uppermost horizontal intersection where two roof planes meet.
• Roof Vent: A device installed to allow for proper attic ventilation.

S

• Soffit: The underside of a roof overhang.
• Starter Strip: The first row of shingles installed along the eaves to prevent wind uplift.
• Step Flashing: Metal flashing used at roof-to-wall transitions to prevent water leaks.

T

• Tear-Off: The process of removing old roofing materials before a new roof is installed.
• TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): A single-ply roofing membrane known for durability and energy efficiency.
• Torch-Down: A method of applying a modified bitumen roof using heat to adhere the membrane.

U

• Underlayment: A protective layer installed between the roof deck and shingles to prevent water infiltration.
• Uplift: The force caused by wind blowing under roofing materials, potentially lifting them off the roof deck.

V

• Valley: The V-shaped area where two sloping roof planes meet, often requiring special flashing to prevent leaks.
• Vent Pipe: A pipe that allows air to escape from plumbing systems, typically sealed with a rubber or metal boot.

W

• Warranty: A written guarantee from the manufacturer or contractor that outlines responsibilities in case of defects or issues.
• Wind Uplift: A situation where strong winds lift roofing materials off the deck.

Contact Kuykendall Roofing

Understanding roofing terms is just the first step to ensuring your roof is well-maintained and long-lasting. When you need roofing services—whether it’s repairs, inspections, or full roof replacements—trust the experts at Kuykendall Roofing.

Kuykendall Roofing—trusted by homeowners and businesses across Charlotte, Lee, Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee Counties. Call us today to discuss your roofing needs or schedule a consultation!