Let’s start with the types of Roofing Shingles used in single-family homes. Residential roofing products are usually designed for steep slopes. Asphalt roofing shingles are the most commonly used shingles for homes.
There are three major categories of Roofing Shingles:
- Strip Shingles: These are the most basic of residential roofing products available in the market. They are single layered roofing shingles that are generally designed to look like slate.
- Dimensional Roofing Shingles: Typically, these are a heavier weight than strip roofing shingles. They are manufactured as dual-layered products or multi-layered.
- Premium Roofing Shingles: These shingles are laminated to provide enhanced a custom look.
Decking: The decking (sometimes called Sheathing) is plywood that covers the rafters. It’s the base to which roofing materials are attached
Dormer: The dormer is a structure that surrounds a window that projects from a sloped roof.
Drip Edge: This is added to the edges of the roof to help allow water to run-off and drip clear of underlying construction.
Fascia Trim: It covers the rafter end of the eaves. Fascia trim is often used where gutters are attached to the house.
Gable: A gable is the triangular shaped wall created by a sloping roof. Gable refers to the wall, not the roof.
Hip: The hip is a high angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Hip and Ridge Shingles: These are accessory shingles used to finish the hips and ridges of the roof. Ridge shingles provides ventilation of the structure through the highest point at the ridge of the home.
Valley: The valley is the angle formed when by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. This is the intersection of a cross hip or cross gable roof.
Gable: A gable is the triangular shaped wall created by a sloping roof. Gable refers to the wall, not the roof.
Flashing: These pieces of metal are installed to prevent water seepage around any intersection or projection of the roof (i.e. vent pipes, chimneys and valleys).
Ridge Vent: “Ridge” refers to the uppermost point of the roof that runs along the length of the roof. The ridge vent is added for ventilation of the structure through the highest point of the roof.
Roof Truss and Rafters: This is a framework of beams that support the roof—the “skeleton” of a roof. Rafters are the beams of a roof truss that run from the top of the roof to the bottom.
Soffit: This is the finished underside of the eaves, and covers the area between the end of the eaves and the house.
Starter Strip: Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves for protection from the elements. by filling in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first course of shingles.
Hip and Ridge Shingles: These are accessory shingles used to finish the hips and ridges of the roof. Ridge shingles provides ventilation of the structure through the highest point at the ridge of the home. There are a number of options designed to coordinate with the roofing shingles. They enhance the roof’s appearance but still provide the same level of protection and durability.
Underlayment: Underlayment is installed under a roof deck before the shingles are installed. The underlayment serves as a water-resistant layer beneath roofing shingles. Underlayment choices include utility grade felt, fiberglass-reinforced felt and synthetic.
Waterproofing shingle underlayment prevents leaks from ice dams and damage from heavy rain—a must for New England homes!
Valley: The valley is the angle formed when by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. The valley is at the intersection of a cross hip or cross gable roof.