Algae discoloration: A type of roof discoloration caused by algae.
Built-up roof: A flat or low-sloped roof consisting of multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets.
Bundle: A package of shingles.
Caulk: To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.
Collar: Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening.
Counter flashing: The portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.
Course: A row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof.
Cricket: A peaked construction at the back of a chimney to prevent accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water around the chimney.
Deck: The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.
Dormer: A framed window unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof.
Drip edge: A non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction.
Eaves: The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.
Felt: Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper.
Flashing: Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys.
Gable: The upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.
Gable roof: A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each side of the ridge. Contains a gable at each end.
Granules: Ceramic-coated colored crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.
Hip: The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.
Hip roof: A type of roof containing sloping planes of the same pitch on each of four sides. Contains no gables.
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.
Laminated shingles: Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create extra thickness. Also called three-dimensional shingles.
Mansard roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each of four sides. The lower plane has a much steeper pitch than the upper, often approaching vertical. Contains no gables.
Overhang: That portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.
Pitch: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span, in feet.
Rafter: The supporting framing member immediately beneath the deck, sloping from the ridge to the wall plate.
Rake: The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall from the eave to the ridge.
Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Roll roofing: Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form.
Sheathing: Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.
Square: A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet.
Starter strip: Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provides protection by filling in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first course of shingles.
Three-tab shingle: The most popular type of asphalt shingle usually 12" x 36" in size with three tabs.
Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes to provide water runoff.
Woven Valley: Method of valley construction in which shingles from both sides of the valley extend across the valley and are woven together by overlapping alternate courses as they are applied. The valley flashing is not exposed.
Beading: A decorative variation of the traditional style with a half-round molding-like effect cut into the bottom of the siding panel.
D4 Profile: Two four-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of siding.
D5 Profile: Two five-inch wide horizontal traditional planks per single panel of siding.
Dutchlap or Shiplap: A more decorative variation on the clapboard style where the face (or width) of the board is beveled for added dimension.
Grain: A pattern that has been pressed into the vinyl to simulate wood grain or a special finish.
Fascia: The front facing surface of trim on a house above the soffit but below the roof line.
Inside Corner Post: Provides a means of joining at inside corners where siding meets both sides.
Insulated Siding: Available with factory-laminated polystyrene backing. In addition, separate drop-in backer board is available which can be combined with the siding panels at the time of installation.
J-Channel: Used for receiving siding on all sides of windows and doors, at rake edges of gables and in other miscellaneous situations.
Nail Hem: The top portion of a vinyl siding panel. It has oblong horizontal slits into which the installer nails the siding.
Outside Corner Post: Provides neat appearance outside corners for vertical and horizontal sidings. Receives siding from both sides.
Profiles: The actual siding panels are called profiles. Some commonly sized profiles are D4, D5 and Dutchlap.
Soffit: Vinyl or aluminum material used on the underside of eaves between the exterior wall and overhanging edge of the roof rafters.
Starter Strip: Baseline accessory which secures the first course of siding to the wall.
Trim Coil: Painted aluminum and steel material commonly used to case around windows.
Weep Hole: A small hole in the bottom butt edge of the vinyl siding panel, allowing condensation to escape.
