You need a new roof. Maybe you have a leak, maybe you can see that the shingles are looking worn and starting to curl, or maybe you simply know that the roof is over 30 years old and you want to deal with it before any issues start.
But you don’t know anything about roofs.
Here is a handy reference of the standard aspects of roofing:
Ridge: The horizontal line running across the length of the roof where two roof planes meet. This will be the highest point on the roof and is often called the peak of the roof.
Ridge Cap: The row of shingles that ‘cap’ the ridge of the roof, where two roof planes meet. This offers protection over this intersection point, as well as adding a stylistic finished look to your roof.
Hips: Hips are the ridges that slope downwards and outward from the intersection point of two roof planes. For a visual, imagine a pyramid. Place it onto a house and you have a pyramid hip roof. The ridges on the downward slopes are the hips.
A house may have many hips in its design, or in the case of a flat or gabled roof, have no hips at all.
Valley: The valley of a roof is the internal angle formed by two sloping roof planes. Due to its lower slope, water run off and debris tend to accumulate here which can accelerate shingle erosion. There are two kinds of valleys: open and closed. Open metal valleys are the industry standard and are recommended by major shingle supplier such as IKO.
Eaves: An eave is the lower horizontal border of the roof that overhangs the wall. Its main function is to keep rainwater or melting snow off the side of a house.
Rake: Rakes are the angled edges of your roof. Like eaves, they overhang the wall of the house. Unlike eaves, which are always horizontal, rakes are always set at an angle and can be found on the side of the house that is topped by a gable roof.
Fascia Board: Long straight boards that run along the entire lower edge of the roof. Fascia boards support the home’s gutter system, and prevent water from leaking into the roof deck.
Roof Deck: This is the structural foundation base for the roof system and is usually made of wood or plywood.
Flashing: A thin material usually made of galvanized steel, used to direct water away from critical areas of the roof. Flashing is installed around roof features such as chimneys, vents and skylights. Water runs down the side of the flashing and is directed down the shingles and away from the roof deck.
Asphalt Shingles: A composition shingle with a layer of fiberglass mat that is surfaced with an asphalt coating for waterproofing. Fibreglass asphalt shingles are cost-effective and versatile.
Underlayment: Roofing underlayment is what lies between the shingles and the roof deck. It is installed directly on roof deck and provides a secondary layer of protection from the elements.
Soffit: The enclosed underside of a roof eave. Soffits are often fitted with vents that allow for proper air circulation through the roof system and attic. Soffits can also provide a finished look to a home.
Roof vent: Exhaust vents on a roof provide an unobstructed exit route for heat, hot air, odour and moisture trapped in your attic. Proper ventilation is vital for your roof and your home.
Attic: The space between your roof and the rest of your home. This is another area where proper insulation and ventilation are important to the health of the roof and the home.
Torch On: A style of low pitch roofing that involves heat welding 2 layers of modified bitumen together, creating a watertight membrane. This type of roof is often seen on commercial buildings, although it can also be used on residential buildings.
Cedar conversion: A term often used by roofers. This is the replacing of ageing cedar shakes (the common term for cedar ‘shingles’) with another type of shingle such as asphalt shingles. This is usually recommended due to the much higher cost and greater maintenance of original cedar shakes.
Now that you are familiar with some of the common roofing terms, give Surlang Roofing a call at 604-533-8322 to request your free estimate. We will be pleased to go over your options and find the best roof for you!
