AGGREGATE - A surfacing or ballast for a roof system. Aggregate can be rock, stone, crushed stone or slag, water-worn gravel, crushed lava rock or marble chips.

ACRYLIC COATING - A coating system with an acrylic resin base.

ACRYLIC RESIN - Polymers of acrylic or methacrylic.

ALLIGATORING - The cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a built-up roof, producing a pattern of cracks that resemble an alligator’s hide.

ARMA - Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association

ASBESTOS - An incombustible fibrous mineral form of magnesium silicate formerly used for fireproofing and sometimes used for the reinforcement of roofing materials.

ASPHALT - an organic bituminous compound, dark brown or black in color, used in the manufacture of asphalt roofing shingles.

ASPHALT EMULSION - A mixture of asphalt particles and an emulsifying agent such as bentonite clay water. 

ASPHALT FELT - An asphalt-saturated and/or an asphalt-coated felt membrane. (See also  Felt.)

ASPHALT PLASTIC CEMENT - An asphalt based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as flashing cement or mastic.

ASPHALT PRIMER - See Primer.

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials. A voluntary organization concerned with development of consensus standards, testing procedures and specifications.

ATTIC - the space immediately under the roof of a house.

BASE FLASHING - that portion of the flashing which is attached to or rests on the roof deck to direct the flow of water on The roof covering.

BARGE OR BARGE BOARD - is also the rake edge of the roof.

BARREL ROOF - A roof configuration with a partial cylindrical shape to it.

BASE SHEET - An asphalt-impregnated, or coated felt used as the first ply in some built-up and modified bitumen roof systems.

BATTEN - A strip of wood usually 1" x  2"   fastened to the structural deck for use in attaching a primary roof system such as tile.

BIRD STOP METAL or CLAY - Used on starter course of some tile roofs, also known as fire block.

BLENDS - mixture of various colors on the surface of Tile, shingles, or mineral surfaced roofing. A blend of colors.

BLIND NAILING - nails driven in such a way that the heads are concealed by succeeding layers of roofing material.

BLISTERS - bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation.

BOND -(see Warranty).

BOND - The force (s) holding two components in positive contact.

BONDING AGENT - A chemical agent used to create a bond between two layers.

BUCKLE - A long, tented displacement of a roof membrane. Can occur over insulation and deck joints.

BUNDLE - An individual package of shingles or shakes.

BUILT-UP ROOFING - a flat or low-sloped roof consisting of multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets.

BUTT - that portion of a shingle exposed to the weather, generally called the tab of the shingle.

BUTT JOINT - Where two separate, adjacent pieces of material abut.

CANOPY - An overhang, usually over entrances or driveways.

CANTILEVER - a self-supporting projection without external bracing in which a beam or series of beams is supported by a downward force behind a fulcrum.

CANT STRIP - A 45 degree beveled wood, fiberboard, or metal strip at the juncture of the roof with vertical surfaces to break the right angle.

CAP FLASHING - that portion of the flashing built into a vertical surface to prevent the flow of water behind the base flashing. The cap flashing overlaps the base flashing.

Cap Sheet - A granule-surfaced membrane often used as the top ply of BUR or modified roof systems.

CAULK - to fill or seal a joint with mastic or cement.

CEMENT - a substance which, by curing between two surfaces to which it adheres, binds them together.

CLIPPED GABLE - a gable cut back at the peak in a hip-roof form.

CLOSED VALLEY - when the roofing material is laced or woven through the valley intersection.

COATING - See also Roof Coatings. a layer of viscous asphalt applied to the base material into which granules or other surfacing is embedded.

CODE, OR BUILDING CODE - legal restrictions of a given locality governing construction of buildings and methods and materials used in construction.

COLD PROCESS BUILT UP ROOF - A roof consisting of multiple plies of roof felts laminated together with adhesives that usually come right out of a can or barrel and require no heating.

COLLARS OR VENT SLEEVES - pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.

COMPOSITION SHINGLES - A type of shingle used in steep-slope roofing and generally comprised of weathering-grade asphalt, a fiber glass reinforcing mat, an adhesive strip, and mineral granules.

CONDENSATION - The conversion of water vapor to liquid state when warm air comes in contact with a cold surface.

CONTACT CEMENTS - Adhesives used to adhere or bond roofing components.

COPING - the piece of material used to cover the top of a wall and protect it from the elements. It can be constructed from metal, masonry, or stone.

COUNTER FLASHING - Formed metal or Elastomeric sheeting secured on or into a wall, curb, pipe, rooftop unit or other surface, to cover and protect the upper edge of a base flashing and its associated fasteners.

COUPED ROOF - constructed without ties, collars, rafters being fixed to the wall plates and ridge pieces.

COUNTER BATTEN - Wood strips installed vertically on sloped roofs over which horizontal battens are secured.

COUNTERFLASHING - Formed metal sheeting secured to walls, curbs, or other surfaces, for use in protecting the top edge of base flashings from exposure to weather.

COURSE - (1) The term used for each application of material that forms the waterproofing system or the flashing. (2) One  layer of a series of materials applied to a surface. (i.e., five course wall flashing is composed of three applications of mastic two ply of felt sandwiched between each layer of mastic a total of two layers felt, web or other material and three layers of mastic).

COVERAGE - term applied to indicate approximately the area of deck surface covered by different roofing materials.

COVERAGE PATTERNS - pattern of application for roofing materials as related to the amount of cover or overlap. Coverage is determined by coverage pattern and design.

CRACK - A separation or fracture occurring in a roof membrane or roof deck, generally caused by thermal induced stress or substrate movement.

CREEP - Movement of roof membrane causing the roof system to be deformed.

CROSS VENTILATION - The effect of air moving through a roof cavity between vents. See also Attic ventilation section.

CRICKET - A roof component used to divert water away from curbs, platforms, chimneys, walls, or other roof penetrations and projections.

CURB - A raised member used to support skylights, AC units, exhaust fans, hatches or other pieces of mechanical equipment above the level of the roof surface. A raised roof perimeter that is relatively low in height.

CURE TIME - The time necessary to effect curing.

CUTBACK - Bitumen thinned by solvents that is used in cold-process roofing adhesives, roof cements, and roof coatings.

CUTOUT - the portion of a strip shingle cut out to produce the tab and give the effect of individual shingles. Often referred to as a SLOT.

DAMPROOFING - Treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.

DEAD LEVEL - a roof without slope.

DEAD LOAD - the total weight of all installed materials and the constant weight of a roof used to compute the strength of all supporting framing members.

DECK - the material installed over the supporting framing members over which the roofing material is applied.

DELAMINATION - Separation of the plies in a roof membrane system or separation of laminated layers of insulation or plywood.

DIMENSIONAL SHINGLE - A shingle that is textured, or laminated to produce a three-dimensional effect. Also known as Laminated and Architectural Shingles. Please be aware that there are also shingles being produced that can be classified as Dimensional but not as Laminated. These shingles are comprised of a single piece of material rather than two different materials laminated together.

DORMER - a window unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof. A roofer term for roof vents through the roof.

DOUBLE COVERAGE - Installing roofing so that there is twice the materials used resulting in a double layer of roofing.

DOWNSPOUT - A conduit for carrying water from a gutter, scupper, drop outlet or other drainage unit from roof to ground level. Also known as a Leader Pipe.

DRAIN - a device used to carry water off of a roof.

DRIP EDGE - A steel flashing bent at a 90º angle that is placed along the outer perimeter of steep sloped buildings; used to help direct runoff water away from the building. Drip Edge has an outwardly-angled bottom edge.

DRY IN - The process of installing the underlayment in steep slope roofing. Making a low-slope roof watertight. Does not always mean getting all of the required plies installed.

DRY ROT - Wood rot caused by certain fungi. Dry rot can result from condensation build-up, roof leaks that go untended, or from other problems. Dry rot will not remain localized. It can spread and damage any lumber touching the affected area.

DOWN SPOUT - a pipe for draining water from the roof collected in the roof gutters leave trough).

DRIP COURSE - the first course of shingles at the eave.

Eave - Horizontal edge of a roof that over hangs the outside wall.

EAVE TROUGH - a gutter along the eave of the roof.

ELASTOMERIC - Properties of a material that will permit it to return to its original shape after being stretched.

ELASTOMERIC COATING - A coating that can be stretched to twice its dimensions and that will return to original when tension is released.

ELL - an extension of a building at a right angle to its length.

EMULSION - The intimate dispersion of an organic material and water achieved by using a chemical or clay emulsifying agent.

END LAP - The extension of one component of material past the end of an adjacent piece of material.

EXPANSION JOINT - to allow for separate movement between 2 separate sections of a building, without damaging the buildings structural components.

EXPOSED NAIL METHOD - All nails/fasteners are visible and exposed to the elements.

EXPOSURE - that portion of a shingle that is exposed to the weather. Exposure is usually measured from the butt of one shingle to the butt of the next overlying shingles.

EYEBROW - A small, shed roof protruding from the main roof or located on the side of a building below the level of the main roof.

FACADE - the face of a building, usually the front.

FACTORY SEAM - A splice/seam made in the roofing material by the manufacturer.

FASCIA - a horizontal band of vertical face, usually below the edge of the roof.

FEATHERING STRIPS - Strips of wood that are placed along the butt ends of wood shingles to form a somewhat smooth surface so that the shingles can be roofed over without removal.

FELT - fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper.

FIBER GLASS MAT - an asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers.

FIBERGLASS INSULATION - Insulation composed of glass fibers used to insulate walls and roofs. It can be rigid board or blanket insulation

FIELD OF THE ROOF - Refers to the central part of a roof away from the perimeter.

FIRE RATING - UL CLASS "A" - the highest fire-resistance rating for roofing. The roofing material is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.
        CLASS "B" - fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing  material is able to withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.
        CLASS "C" - fire-resistance rating that indicates that roofing material  is able to withstand light exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.

FIRE-RATED ASPHALT ROOFING - granule surfaced asphalt shingle roofing which has been tested and rated for fire resistance by Underwriters Laboratories, Incomes fiberglass shingles are rated Class A. The old organic shingles are rated Class C.

FIRE RESISTANT - description of building materials which resist destruction by fire for a definite duration of time.

FIRE BRANDS - flaming pieces of material or burning embers used in UL testing for fire rating.

FISHMOUTH - An opening along the exposed edge of an installed ply of felt caused by shifting the ply during installation. Repair these by making a slice along their entire length and feathering two plies of felt over the fishmouth for a minimum coverage of one foot all the way around.

FLASHING - material used to prevent seepage of wind or water around any intersection or projection in a roof, including vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers, and valleys.

PIPE FLASHING - Used to seal a pipe through the roof. 

FLOOD COAT - The surfacing layer of bitumen into which aggregate is embedded on an aggregate-surfaced built-up roof. A flood coat is applied at an approximate rate of 45 to 60 pounds per square (100 square feet).

GABLE - the upper part of a wall under the ridge of a pitched roof; the end or wing of a building.

GABLE ROOF - A roof configuration that has gable ends.

GALVANIZED - To coat with zinc.

GAMBREL - a double pitched roof which terminates in a small gable at the ridge where the angle of pitch is abruptly changed between ridge and eave.

GLASS FELT - In the manufacturing of roofing materials - a fiberglass mat saturated with asphalt.

GLAZE COAT - The uppermost layer of asphalt on a smooth-surfaced built-up roof membrane, usually a reflective surfacing is installed over it. A thin coat of asphalt is applied to help protect the roof membrane when application of additional plys will take place at a later time.

GRANULES - finely ground or crushed rock that is colored with a permanent pigment, color bonded by a firing process, and used for the exposed surface of roofing products. Granules are available in various sizes and colors.

GRAVEL - Aggregate consisting of rock fragments or pebbles.

GRAVEL STOP - A flanged, sheet metal edge flashing with an upward projection installed along the perimeter of a roof to stop the flow of bitumen over the edge.

GUARANTEE - usually refers to the assurance given by the roofing contractor that the work performed by him is in accordance with specification and is without defects.

Gutter - A channel (usually sheet metal) installed along the downslope perimeter of a roof to convey runoff water from the roof to the drain leaders or downspouts.

HEADLAP - the triple coverage portion of the top of shingles.

HELM ROOF - steeply pitched roof with four faces converging at the top with a gable at the foot Of each.

HEM - The edge created by folding metal back on itself. Metal is hemmed for safety and strength reasons.

HEXAGONAL OR HEX - a strip shingle having a butt or tab which is one-half a hexagon.

HIP ROOF - A roof that rises by inclined planes on all sides of a building. The line where two adjacent sloping sides of a roof meet is called the Hip. A roof with sloped planes instead of vertical ends.

HIP - the line of intersection of two roof planes, the eave lines of which are not parallel.

HIP RAFTER - a rafter used to form the hip of a roof.

HURRICANE CLIP - A clip that slips over the ends of tile, slate and other steep slope roofing materials in order to help prevent wind uplift damage.

HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID ROOF - a special form of double-curved shell, the geometry of which is generated by straight lines. The shape of a continuous plane developing from a parabolic arch in one direction to similar inverted parabola in the other.

ICBO - International Conference of Building Officials, responsible for The Uniform Building Code.

ICE DAM - condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.

INCLINE -The Slope of a roof.

INORGANIC - Being or composed of matter other than hydrocarbons and their derivatives, or matter that is not of plant or animal origin.

INTAKE VENTILATION -The part of a ventilation system used to draw fresh air in. Usually vents installed in the soffit or along the eaves of a building.

INTERLAYMENT - A waterproof material usually installed between adjacent rows of wood shakes to help with the roof’s waterproofing characteristics.

INTERLOCKING SHINGLES - Shingles that lock together to provide wind resistance. See also T-Lock.

JACK RAFTER - any one of the shorter rafters used from plate to hip rafter.

JOIST - Any of the parallel horizontal beams set from wall to wall to support the boards of a floor, ceiling or roof of a building

L METAL - Used as a roof to wall flashing.         

LACING or WEAVING - Interweaving of courses of shingles at an intersection in a roof, e.g., at 90 degrees in a valley.

LAMINATED SHINGLES - Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create thickness. Also called three-dimensional shingles or architectural shingles.

LAP - To overlap the surface of one shingle with another; the length of such overlap.

LAP CEMENT - An asphalt based cement used to adhere overlapping plies of roll roofing.

LEADER HEAD -  A component used to direct water from a through-wall scupper to a downspout. Also known as a Collector Head.

LEADER PIPE -  A conduit for carrying water from a gutter, scupper, drop outlet or other drainage unit from roof to ground level. Also known as Downspout.

LEAN TO ROOF - Has one slope only and is built against a higher wall.

LIVE LOAD - The total weight of all installed equipment and materials and all variable weight (such as snow, ice and people) that will move across a surface. Used to compute the strength of all supporting framing members.

LOCK SHINGLES - Designed with a mechanical locking feature to provide effective wind resistance.

LOW SLOPE APPLICATION - Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 2 and 4 inches per foot.

MANSARD ROOF - A roof having a double slope, the lower of which is longer and steeper.

MASTIC - (see Asphalt Plastic Cement).

MEMBRANE - The portion of the roofing system that serves as the waterproofing material. Can be composed of one material or several materials laminated together.

METAL FLASHING - Roof components made from sheet metal that are used to terminate the roofing membrane or material along roof edges. Metal flashings are also used in the field of the roof around penetrations

MINERAL SURFACED ROOFING - Asphalt shingles and roll roofing that are covered with granules.

MODIFIED BITUMEN - a bitumen modified by one or more polymers such as Atactic Polypropylene (APP), styrene butadiene styrene (SBS).

MOISTURE RELIEF VENT - A vent installed through the roofing membrane to relieve moisture vapor pressure that has been trapped within the roofing system.

MONITOR - A continuous section of roof raised to admit light through a vertical window.

NESTING - A method of re-roofing with new asphalt shingles over old shingles in which the top edge of the new shingle is butted against the bottom edge of the existing shingle tab.

NINETY POUND CAP - Granule-surfaced or fiber glass or organic felt roll roofing that has a mass of approximately 90 pounds per 100 square feet.

NORMAL SLOPE APPLICATION - Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 4 inches and 21 inches per foot.

OPEN VALLEY - Construction in which the roofing material is not laced or woven at the valley intersection, but trimmed so that flashing material is exposed.

OVER HANG - The part of the roof that overhangs the outside wall. The further out from the wall the further from the house the water drips. 

PAN - The concave piece of "Pan and Cover" tile whose rounded surface touches the top side of the roof substrate. The flat part of a roofing panel located between the ribs.

PAN FLASHING - A sheet metal flashing that covers an equipment platform and is designed to counter flash the base flashings surrounding the platform.                                   

PARAPET - That part of any wall entirely above the roof.

PEAKED ROOF - A roof rising either to a point or a ridge.

PENTHOUSE - Enclosed space above the level of a main flat roof as the top of an elevator shaft or an above-roof apartment.

PERLITE - A natural volcanic glass used in lightweight concrete tile.

PHASING - Installing roof system components in separate time intervals. For instance, installing a base sheet, and then two plies of roofing one day, and coming back and installing the remaining two plies one or more days later. It is generally not considered phasing If the surfacing is applied at a later date.

PITCH POCKET OR PITCH PAN - A flanged piece of flashing material placed around irregularly shaped roof penetrations and filled with grout and a pourable sealer to seal around the penetration in order to seal it from against moisture entry. Pitch pockets are a good source of leaks and should be avoided if possible. For an example on how to properly fill a pitch pocket.

PLASTIC CEMENT - A term used to describe asphalt roof cement.

PLY - A layer of felt or other reinforcement material in a roof system.

PONDING - The accumulation of water at low-lying areas on a roof.

POSITIVE DRAINAGE - The drainage condition of a roof where all water is gone from the roof surface within forty-eight hours of precipitation during normal drying conditions.

PRIMER - A material that is applied to a surface in order to increase that surface’s ability to adhere to or work in conjunction with a subsequently applied material.

PRULIN - A horizontal member resting usually on trusses and supporting the roof rafters.

PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride.

RACKING - Roofing application method in which shingle courses are applied vertically up the roof rather than across and up. Not a recommended procedure.

RAFTER - A supporting member immediately beneath the roof deck sloping from the wall plate to the ridge.

RAISED FASCIA - Used to raise first course of tile to proper height.

RAKE - The sloped edge of a roof at the first or last rafter. 

RECOVER - the process of covering an existing roofing system with a new roofing system.

REGLET - A groove in the vertical wall adjacent to a roof surface above the base flashing into which the metal counter flashing is inserted and rigidly held in place; it is either formed in concrete or consists of a metal insert, or a "reglet block" of masonry.

RELEASE TAPE - A plastic or paper strip that is applied to the back of self-sealing shingles. This strip prevents the shingles from sticking together in the bundles, and need not be removed for application.

RIDGE - The top horizontal member of a sloping roof, against which the upper ends of the rafters are fixed.

RIDGE VENT - An exhaust venting device located at the ridge of a roof that works in conjunction with a starter or under eave soffit intake vent and is used to ventilate attics. Ridge vents and their cooperative starter or soffit intake vents should be installed at a 1:1 ratio in order to function properly.

RIDGING - The formation of a Buckle.

ROOF ASSEMBLY - A term used to describe all of the roof components including structural roof deck.

ROOF CEMENT - See Asphalt Roof Cement

ROOF CERTIFICATION - A inspection of the roof for longevity and condition usually for escrow on sale of a home so the buyer has an Idea of the condition of the roof. A Roof Certification usually has a 1 or 2 year leak guarantee along with the Certification.

ROOF COVERING - The outermost reinforced layer of the roof assembly. In BUR it’s the multiple-ply membrane, in Thermoplastic roof systems it’s the thermoplastic sheet, etc

ROOF COATINGS - Elastomeric coatings, white coatings and others are available to protect the roof, on residential and commercial. ( coatings are used more on flat or low sloped roofs) They can be used on new roofing or used on old roofs to extend the life and usability of the old coverings. 

ROOF CURB - A frame used to structurally mount rooftop equipment such as AC units, exhaust fans, skylight, etc.; may be pre-constructed or constructed on site.

ROOF JACK - A steel bracket fastened to the roof that is used to support toe boards.  A term used to describe a Pipe Boot or Flashing Collar.

ROOF OVERHANG - That portion of the roof that extends beyond the exterior wall line of the building.

ROOF SLOPE - The angle made by the roof surface plane with the horizontal plane and expressed as the amount of vertical rise for every twelve inch (12") horizontal run. For instance, a roof that rises four inches (4") for every twelve inch (12") horizontal run, is expressed as having a "four in twelve" slope; often written as 4:12. or 4/12. Expressed as a percentage, the slope would be 33%, which is equal to 4 divided by 12. Also known as the roof Pitch. 

ROOF SYSTEM - Multiple roof components assembled to provide waterproofing (and sometimes insulating) capabilities for a structure.

ROLL ROOFING - Roofing material in roll form, usually in 36" widths, laid and overlapped to form a roof covering.

ROOF - The weatherproofing top covering of a building.

ROOFERS CEMENT - A quick setting asphalt adhesive for use with roofing materials.

ROOF TRUSS - Any type of truss used for roof support.

RUN - The horizontal distance from the eave to a point directly under the ridge of a roof.

SADDLE - The ridge in a small roof deck which divides the roof to divert water to the drain.

SATURANT - Asphalt used to impregnate felt for waterproofing and strength.

SBS - Styrene Butadiene Styrene.

SEAL DOWN OR POSITIVE SEAL DOWN - An asphalt adhesive factory-applied so that when the shingles are installed, the thermo-plastic strip of sealing compound bonds each shingle to the one above, providing wind resistance.

SELF SEALING SHINGLES - Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.

SELF SPACING - Notch or tab at one or both ends or at sides of shingles which when engaged, interlocked or butted together provide uniform spacing.

SELVAGE - That portion of roll roofing overlapped by the succeeding course to obtain double coverage.

SHADING - Slight differences in shingle color that may occur as a result of normal manufacturing operations.

SHEATHING - Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.

SHED ROOF - A roof having only one sloping plane.

SHINGLE - A single piece of prepared roofing material, either asphalt or wood, for use in steep slope roof systems. To install a wood or asphalt shingle roof system.

SHAKES AND WOOD SHINGLES

SIDE LAP - The horizontal distance one shingle overlaps adjacent shingle in the same course; also the horizontal distance one sheet of roofing overlaps adjacent sheet.

SINGLE COVERAGE - Asphalt roofing that provides one layer of roofing material over the deck.

SINGLE PLY SYSTEM - Base sheet and cap between the base and the cap is either cold process adhesive or torch down (melt asphalt on cap with a torch) or modified hot asphalt. The cap sheet is an extra heavy cap and tough.

SKYLIGHT - A glazed opening in the roof permitting light and/or ventilation.

SLATE - A fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin, smooth-surfaced layers used in steep slope roofing applications.

SLOPE - The degree of incline of a roof plane in inches of rise per horizontal foot.

SMOOTH SURFACED ROOFING - Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules.

SOFFIT - The finished underside of an eave.

SOIL STACK - A vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

SPAN - The horizontal measurement from eave to eave.

SPIRE - A tall tower roof, tapering upward to a point - e.g., as on churches.

SPLIT - A membrane tear resulting from tensile strength.

SPUDDING or SPUD OFF - The process of removing the roofing aggregate and most to the bituminous top coating by scraping and chipping. 

SQUARE - A unit of roof measurement covering a 10 ft. by 10 ft. area. 100 square feet.

SQUARE BUTT SHINGLES - Strip shingles which have usually two or three tabs formed by cutouts or slots.

STARTER COURSE - The first course of shingles installed on a roof, starting at the lower edge or eave.

STARTER STRIP - Material applied at eave line before application of shingles.

STEEPLE -(See Spire).

STEP FLASHING - Flashing along a roof slope against a wall or chimney using succeeding courses of flashing material placed in conjunction with layers or courses of roofing materials.

SUBSTRATE - The surface upon which the roofing or waterproofing membrane is applied (i.e., the structural deck or insulation.

TAB - Portion of strip shingles defined by cutouts or slots so that when installed, material appears to be individually applied.

TAPER EDGE STRIP - A tapered insulation strip used to (1) elevate the roof at the perimeter and at curbs that extend through a roof: (2) provide a gradual transition from one layer to insulation to another. Used to fill in the area behind a raised fascia for tile roofing to eliminate the dip, so water accumulated under the tile will run off and not get trapped. 

TAR - A brown or black bituminous material, liquid or semi-solid in consistency, in which the predominating constituents are bitumens obtained as condensates in the process of coal, petroleum, oil-shale, wood, or other organic materials.

TABBING - Method of applying adhesive material to the underside of the shingles to provide additional wind protection.

TEST CUT - A sample of the roof membrane that is cut from a roof membrane to: (a) determine the weight of the average interply bitumen moppings; (b) diagnose the condition of the exiting membrane (e.g. ,to detect leaks or blisters).

THREE COURSE FLASHING - Consists of a layer of mesh or other reinforcing material sandwiched between two layers of roofing cement.

THEE WAY METAL EDGE - Is used to cover over existing shingles and install a new roof over.                             

THROUGH-WALL FLASHING - A water resistant membrane or material assembly extending through a wall and its cavities, positioned to direct water entering the top of the wall to the exterior.

TILE PAN METAL - Is used against a sloped wall to carry water down. Like a gutter on the roof.

TORCH DOWN SYSTEM- See Single Ply System.

UBC - Uniform Building Code.

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORY ( UL ) - An organization that classifies roof assemblies for their fire characteristics and wind uplift resistance.

UNDERLAYMENT - An asphalt saturated felt applied over the roof deck and under the roofing material.

VALLEY - The line of intersection of two roof slopes

VALLEY METAL - Normally 18 to 24 inch Galvanized metal or Copper W Valley.

VENT - An outlet for air; vent pipe in a plumbing system; a ventilating duct.

VENT SLEEVES OR COLLARS - Flange collars placed around vent pipes to seal off the roofing around the vent pipe opening.

WALL PLATE - A timber laid longitudinally on the top of a wall to receive the ends of the rafters.

WARRANTY - A warranty is furnished to the owner, generally by the manufacturer of the roofing materials, against manufacturing defects, to maintain a specified roof in a watertight condition for a specified time. Terms and conditions of individual warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

WATERPROOFING - The treatment of a surface or structure in order to prevent the passage of water under hydrostatic pressure. Normally used as sub grade. A wall or retaining wall waterproofed to stop water from entering a building below ground.

WEATHERING - To undergo changes in color, texture or efficiency brought about by continued exposure to wind, rain, sun, frost, snow and other elements.

WEAVING OR LACING - Interweaving of a course of shingles where there is an intersection in a roof for drainage, e.g., valley.

WEEP HOLES - Small holes used to permit moisture to drain that has gathered inside a building component, installed on tile bird stop.

WIND UPLIFT - The upward displacement of a section of a roof system or component caused by movement of air from a location of higher air pressure, such as inside a building, to an area of lower air pressure, such as the surface of a roof during a windy day. Strong wind across the surface of a roof, especially at corners and along perimeters, creates low air pressure above the surface of the roof. Nature will automatically try to compensate for this by moving air from an area of higher pressure such as inside a building. If all penetrations and perimeters are not properly sealed, then "blow-off" can occur. Displacement or blow-off of shingles or other roofing caused by the wind.

WIRE TIE - A system for attaching heavy steep slope roofing materials such as slate or tile by using wire fasteners in addition to or in place of nails.

WOVEN VALLEY - A valley construction whereby the valley has a woven look which is effected by overlapping alternate courses of shingles from both sides of the valley.

Z Bar - A piece of galvanized metal formed in the shape of a "Z." Standard size for new construction exterior is 2" x 1" x3"