Residential Roof Terminology

Roofing terms you should know deck sheathing.

Residential roof terminology.

The terms pitch and slope are simply two different ways of expressing the same measurement. Square hip roofs look like pyramids but hip roofs are also found on rectangular homes. The same roof has a 4 12 or 1 3 pitch. Ice dams occur when melted snow refreezes near the overhang of a roof blocking the path for water run off and building up a heavy wall of ice.

An l shaped strip usually metal installed along roof. Occurs where overlapping materials are seamed sealed or. Pitch this is the slope of the roof. The higher the number the steeper the roof.

An asphalt based roof cement formulated to adhere overlapping plies or asphalt roll roofing. A small structure projecting from a sloped roof usually with a window. Indicates roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building. An area of a roof with a valley on one side and a rake on the other and both come together at a point.

What is an ice dam. Used for alignment purposes. A line made on the roof by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. The surface usually plywood or oriented strand board osb to which roofing materials are applied.

The highest fire resistance rating for roofing as per astm e 108 or ulc s107. A hip roof is a roof in which four separate roof planes all come together at the top. It is the number of inches a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches of travel horizontally.