The roofing industry has a lot of jargon, which can confuse even generally construction-savvy customers at times. In this post, we want to break down some of the more common roofing terms so you know what your Salem roofing contractors are trying to tell you, and so you know what to ask questions about.
- Algae – It is a rooftop fungus that can discolor your roof and accelerate aging if left to its own devices. Learn what to do about algae on your roof.
- Cricket – A built-in slope designed to direct water to the roof’s drains rather than allow it to pool.
- Deck – This would be the base of your roof that your roofing material is on. This is usually plywood. If your decking is rotten or has other signs of water damage, it will need to be replaced, find resources from Danny Deck.
- Dormers – Dormers are a part of your building that comes up from the normal slope of the roof. If you have windows in rooms that lead to your roof, chances are you have a dormer.
- Eaves – The part of your roof that goes past the outer walls of your home. It generally extends three feet beyond your home’s walls.
- Fasteners – Staples, screws, or nails used to hold your roofing material to your decking.
- Felt – A protective underlayment, which is placed beneath your shingles or metal roof if those are the roofing options you choose.
- Flashing – Generally metal or PVC pieces of material made to fit around pipes, vents, skylights, chimneys, and other protruding objects on your roofs.
- Ridge – The center point of a sloped roof, where the two sides meet.
- Rafter – The structural wooden beams that hold your decking and roof up. They support the weight of the roof.
- Square – A roofing measurement, which is actually equivalent to 100 square feet.
- Tear-Off – The stage of a roofing project when the existing roof is stripped off.
- Valley – The point on a downward slope where two roof planes meet. These are generally fortified with metal and ice barriers.
This list is not exhaustive, and as such, we would love for you to pick up the phone and call us with any other roofing questions you might have! We specialize in providing high-quality and dependable roofing in Salem, Oregon and surrounding areas, and that is why home and business owners in the area have trusted us to protect their most valuable assets for 24 years!
