Roofing glossary

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3-tab shingle

A flat, single-layer asphalt shingle cut into three tabs. Thinner and lighter than an architectural shingle, and no longer what most homes get. Read more

Adjuster

The person your insurance company sends to inspect storm damage and write up what the claim covers. The coverage decision is the insurer's. Read more

Algae streaks

The dark streaks common on humid Arkansas roofs, caused by algae feeding on the shingle surface. Many shingles now carry an algae-resistant treatment. Read more

Architectural shingle

A thicker asphalt shingle made of two or more laminated layers, which gives the roof a dimensional look. Also called a dimensional or laminated shingle. Read more

Class 4 impact rating

The highest impact rating under the UL 2218 test, in which steel balls up to 2 inches across are dropped on the shingle and it must not crack. Our Guardian package uses a Class 4 shingle. Read more

Class A fire rating

The highest fire-resistance rating a roof covering can carry. Read more

Cosmetic hail damage

Hail marks that change how a roof looks but not how it works, such as dents in metal. Many policies treat it differently from functional damage. Read more

Counter flashing

Metal set into a wall or chimney that laps over the flashing below it, so water cannot run behind it. Read more

Deck (decking)

The wood boards or sheets the roof is nailed to. Also called sheathing. Rotted decking has to be replaced before a new roof goes on. Read more

Deductible

The part of a covered claim you pay. Some policies carry a separate wind or hail deductible, often a percentage of the home's insured value. Read more

Downspout

The pipe that carries water from the gutter to the ground. It should empty well away from the foundation. Read more

Drip edge

Metal along the roof edge that steers water into the gutter instead of behind it, into the fascia. Read more

Eave

The lower edge of the roof, where it overhangs the wall and the gutter hangs. Read more

Fascia

The board along the eave that the gutter is fastened to. Read more

Flashing

Metal or rubber that seals the joints of a roof: walls, chimneys, pipes and valleys. Most leaks start at flashing. Read more

Functional hail damage

Hail damage that hurts how the roof works, such as bruised or cracked shingles or lost granules that expose the mat. Read more

Gable

A roof end shaped like a triangle, where two slopes meet at the ridge. Read more

Granules

The colored mineral grit on top of an asphalt shingle. It shields the shingle from the sun. Heavy granule loss is a sign of age or hail. Read more

Gutter guard

A cover or screen over the gutter that keeps leaves and debris out while letting water in. Read more

Hip

The sloped edge where two roof planes meet on the outside corner of a hip roof. Read more

Hip and ridge cap

The shingles that cover the hips and the ridge, bent over the peak. Read more

Ice and water shield

A self-sealing membrane under the shingles at the spots where water collects or the roof is cut open: valleys, eaves and around pipes and vents. Read more

Ice dam

A ridge of ice at the roof edge that holds melting snow back, so water can push up under the shingles. Read more

Intake vent

Vents low on the roof, usually in the soffit, that let air into the attic. Read more

Luxury shingle

A heavier, thicker asphalt shingle made to look like slate or wood shake. Also called a designer shingle. Read more

Manufacturer warranty

The shingle maker's warranty on its materials. It is separate from a roofer's workmanship guarantee, which covers the installation. Read more

PBR panel

Purlin bearing rib: a ribbed steel roof panel fastened through the face. Our Armor package uses a 26-gauge PBR steel panel. Read more

Penetration

Anything that passes through the roof: plumbing pipes, vents, skylights or a chimney. Each one needs flashing. Read more

Pipe boot

The rubber collar that seals around a plumbing vent pipe. Sun breaks the rubber down over time, and a cracked boot is a common leak. Read more

Pitch

How steep a roof is, written as rise over 12 inches of run. A 6/12 roof rises 6 inches for every 12 inches across. Read more

Rake

The sloped edge of a roof at a gable end. Read more

Ridge

The horizontal peak where two roof slopes meet. Read more

Ridge vent

A vent along the peak that lets hot, damp attic air out. It works with intake vents at the eaves. Read more

Rolled roofing

Asphalt roofing sold in long rolls. Cheap and fast, and suited to sheds and outbuildings rather than homes. Read more

Roof-over

Laying new shingles over the old ones instead of tearing them off. We do not do roof-overs; every Patriot replacement is a full tear-off. Read more

Soffit

The panel under the eave overhang, often vented to let air into the attic. Read more

Square

A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet. Roofers measure and price roofs in squares. Read more

Starter strip

The first course of shingles along the eaves and rakes. Its sealant holds the bottom row down against wind. Read more

Step flashing

Small L-shaped pieces of metal woven in with each course of shingles where a roof meets a wall. Read more

Synthetic underlayment

A woven plastic underlayment that is lighter, stronger and more tear-resistant than the older felt paper. Read more

Tarping

A temporary tarp fastened over storm damage to stop more water getting in until the repair. Read more

Tear-off

Removing the old roof down to the deck before the new roof goes on, so the deck and openings can be checked and fixed. Read more

Underlayment

The water-shedding layer between the deck and the shingles, the backup if water ever gets under the roof covering. Read more

Valley

The inside angle where two roof slopes meet. Valleys carry the most water on a roof. Read more

Workmanship guarantee

A roofer's own written promise on the installation. Ours is the Patriot Leak Free Guarantee, with its term set by the package. Read more

Have a word on your estimate that is not here? Call 501.441.2900 and we will explain it, or see the Learning Center.