S-W Roofing Glossary

S

Sawteeth- The exposed section of double thickness on Timberline® Series shingles. Shaped to imitate wood shake look on the roof. 

Self-sealant- Sealant installed on shingles. After installation, heat and sun will activate sealant to seal the shingles to each other. 

Selvage- The non exposed area on rolled roofing. Area without granules. Designed for nail placement and sealant.

Shed roof- Roof design of a single roof plane. Area does not tie into any other roofs.

Shingle-Mate®- GAFMC’s shingle underlayment. Breather type with fiberglass backing to reduce wrinkles and buckles. 

Side-laps- The area on rolled material where one roll overlaps the rolled material beneath it. Also called selvage edge on rolled roofing.

Side-walls- Where a vertical roof plane meets a vertical wall. The sides of dormers etc. 

Soffit ventilation- Intake ventilation installed under the eaves, or at the roof edge. 

Smart Choice® Limited Warranty - GAFMC’s standard shingle limited warranty.

Smart Choice® System Plus Limited Warranty - GAFMC’s next grade of enhanced warranty. Extended coverage for owners.

Starter strip- The first course of roofing installed. Usually trimmed from main roof material.

Steep slope roofing- Generally all slopes higher than 4/12 are considered steep slopes. 

Step-flashing- Metal flashing pieces installed at side-walls and chimneys for weather-proofing.

StormGuard®- GAFMC waterproof underlayment. Film surfaced rolled underlayment, 1.5 squares coverage per roll.

T

Tab- The bottom portion of traditional shingle separated by the shingle cut-outs.

Tear-off- Removal of existing roofing materials down to the roof deck. 

Telegraphing- When shingles reflect the uneven surface beneath them. Shingles installed over buckled shingles may show some buckles. 

Timberline® Series- GAFMC’s trademark name for laminated wood shake style shingles. 

TIMBERTEX®- GAFMC enhanced Hip and Ridge Shingles. 

Transitions- When a roof plane ties into another roof plane that has a different pitch or slope.

U

Under-driven- Term used to describe a fastener not fully driven flush to the shingles surface.

Underlayments- Asphalt based rolled materials designed to be installed under main roofing material, to serve as added protection.

V

Valleys-Area where two adjoining sloped roof planes intersect on a roof creating a "V" shaped depression. 

Vapor- Term used to describe moisture laden air. 

Ventilation- The term used in roofing for the passage of air from an enclosed space.

W

Warm wall- The finished wall inside of a structure, used in roofing to determine how to install waterproof underlayments at eaves. 

Warranty- The written promise to the owner of roofing materials for material related problems.

Waterproof underlayments- Modified bitumen based roofing underlayments. Designed to seal to wood decks and waterproof critical leak areas.

Weather Stopper® Integrated Roofing System™- GAFMC’s complete roofing system and components.

Weather Watch®- GAFMC’s granule surfaced waterproof underlayment. 

Woven Valleys- The method of installing valleys by laying one shingle over the other up the valley center.

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