Roofing Terminology

You’ve heard the term, but don’t yet fully understand what it is? Here’s the one place to learn all the terminology and terms you can think of when it comes to talking roofs. Click through each item to get detailed information, photos, videos, and more!

Commonly Used Roofing Materials

Asphalt Shingles
Modified Bitumen (Mod-Bit)
EPDM (Rubber)
PVC
TPO
Synthetic Roof Underlayment
Roofing Felt
Starter
Wood Shake
Slate
Spanish Tile
Metal Shingles
Standing Seam Metal Panel
Industrial Metal Panel
Structural Metal Panel
OSB
CDX
1x or “1-By”
Fiberboard
ISO Board
GeoCell
Ice & Water Shield / Ice Barrier

Roof Anatomy Terms

Soffit
Fascia
Slope
Facet
Flashing
Cricket
Pitch
Sidewall
Endwall
Overhang
Eave
Rake
Valley
Pitch Transition
Ridge
Hip
Gable

Types of Roofing Tools

Nail Gun
Roof Jacks
Roofer’s Knife
Roofer’s Hatchet
Slope Gauge
Tape
Keg
Microscope
Laser
Flashlight
Shingle Gauge
Metal Gauge
Calipers
Hail Gauge
Roof Snake
Caulk Gun
Roofer’s Hammer
Roller Magnet
Leaf Blower
Fall Arrest System
Roofing Harness
Ladder Jack

Roofing Lingo

Chuck in a Truck
Roof Rat
Pull a Tape
The Bones
Tarpaper
Tabs
Caps
Eve’s Belly
Peak
Pins
Ice Berm
Stripping
Turtle
Channel
Stickers

Roof Measurement Terms

Square
Lineal Foot
Square Foot
Rise
Run
Pitch / Slope

Roof Shape Terms

Gable Roof
Shed Roof
Hipped Roof
Mansard Roof
Flat Roof
Gable Extension
Dormer
Turret
Low-Slope Roof

Roofing Material Brands / Manufacturers

GAF
CertainTeed
Owens Corning
ELK
Malarkey
IKO
Tamko
Celotex
Atlas