A-G Roofing Glossary

A

Algae- Rooftop fungus that can leave dark stains on roofing. 

Angled fasteners- Roofing nails and staples driven into decks at angles not parallel to the deck. 

APA- American Plywood Association. Tests and sets standards for all varieties of plywoods used in the U.S. 

Apron flashing- Metal flashing used at chimney fronts. 

ARMA- Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association. Organization of roofing manufacturers. 

Asphalt- A bituminous waterproofing agent used in various types of roofing materials. 

Asphalt concrete primer- Asphalt based primer used to prepare concrete and metal for asphalt sealant. 

Asphalt plastic cement- Asphalt based sealant material, meeting ASTM D4586 Type I or II. Used to seal and adhere roofing materials. Also called mastic, blackjack, roof tar, bull.

ASTM-The American Society for Testing and Materials. Organization that sets standards for a wide variety of materials, including roofing.

B

Back-surfacing- Granular material added to shingle’s back to assist in keeping separate during delivery and storage. 

Blistering- Bubbles or pimples in roofing materials. Usually moisture related. In shingles blisters are either moisture under the material or moisture trapped inside the material. 

Blow-offs- When shingles are subjected to high winds, and are forced off a roof deck. 

Buckling- When a wrinkle or ripple affects shingles or their underlayments.

C

Closed-cut valley- A shingle valley installation method where one roof plane’s shingles completely cover the other’s. The top layer is cut to match the valley lines. 

Cobra® - GAFMC’s respected brand name for ventilation products.

Corrosion- When rust, rot or age negatively affect roofing metals.

Counter-flashing-The metal or siding material that is installed over roof-top base flashing systems. 

Country Mansion® & Country Estates™-GAFMC’s limited lifetime  warranty shingle. 

Crickets- A peaked water diverter installed behind chimneys and other large roof projections. Effectively diverts water around projections. 

Cupping- When shingles are improperly installed over an existing roof or are  over-exposed, they form a curl or cup.

D

Deck- The substrate over which roofing is applied. Usually plywood, wood boards, or planks. 

Dormer- A raised roof extending out of a larger roof plane.

Drip-edge- An installed lip that keeps shingles up off of the deck at edges, and extends shingles out over eaves and gutters, and prevents water from backing up under shingles.

Dubl-Coverage® Mineral Guard- Roll roofing material with 19" selvage edge for double coverage over roof deck.

E

Eaves- The roof edge from the fascia to the structure’s outside wall. In general terms, the first three feet across a roof is termed the eave.

End-laps- When installing rolled products in roofing, the area where a roll ends on a roof, and is overlapped by the next section of rolled material. (underlayments, rolled roofing) 

Exposure- The area on any roofing material that is left exposed to the elements.

F

Fasteners- Nails or staples used in securing roofing to the deck. Felt-Organic or paper-based rolled material saturated with asphalt to serve as roofing underlayment.

FHA-The Federal Housing Authority. Sets construction standards throughout the U.S. 

Fiberglass mat- fibers condensed into strong, resilient mats for use in roofing materials. 

Flange-Metal pan extending up or down a roof slope around flashing pieces. Usually at chimneys and plumbing vents 

Flashing- Materials used to waterproof a roof around any projections through the roof deck. 

Flashing cement- Sealant designed for use around flashing areas, typically thicker than plastic cement.

G

Gable roof- Traditional roof style; two peaked roof planes meeting at a ridge line of equal size. 

GAFCant®- GAFMC cant strips for deflecting water away from flashing areas. Typically used on low slope roofs. 

Golden Pledge®- GAFMC’s strongest limited warranty for shingles. America’s strongest steep slope warranty. 

Grand Sequoia®- GAFMC shingle with wood shake appearance. 

Grand Slate™- GAFMC shingle with slate appearance. 

Granules- Crushed rock that is coated with a ceramic coating and fired, used as top surface on shingles.

If you are looking for an Erie roofing contractor, please call us today at 814-898-HOME (4663) or complete our online request form