Article Advise

submitted: Aug 26th 2008 | by: TomBurrell | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 556 | |

We don't really think about the roofs on our homes until they have a problem. When they do, we call a roofer. Then comes the problem of actually speaking with the roofer. Why? Well, they have a language all their own. Here are some common roofing terms.

Aggregate: A surfacing or ballast for a roof system. Aggregate can be rock, stone, crushed stone or slag, water-worn gravel, crushed lava rock or marble chips.

Thermal Bridging: A condition where heat or cold can be conducted through a metal fastener or opening from the underside of the roof assembly to the outside of a roof surface.

Cleat: A continuous metal strip used to secure two or more metal roof components together. Commonly used along with coping or gravel stop on tall buildings.

Pitch: The degree of roof inclined expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span, in feet.

Horizontal Siding: Provides style and functionality. Available in various materials, colors, textures and designs.

Dormer: A framed window unit projecting through the sloping side of the roof.

Vertical Panel Siding: Plain, patterned, or grooved panels of plywood or hardboard that provide style and functionality.

Bundle: A package of shingles. There are three, four or five bundles per square.

Back-Nailing: The method of fastening the back or upper side of a ply of roofing felt or other component in a roof system so that the fasteners are covered by the following ply.

Gambrel roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Contains a gable at each end.

Sheathing: The boards or sheet materials that are fastened to rafters to cover a house or building.

Telegraphing: Shingle distortion that may arise when a new roof is applied over an uneven surface.

Flat Seam: Is a term used to describe when two metal panels are joined in a shingle fashion. The two panels can either be overlapped and fastened or folded and interlocked.

Drip Edge: A narrow strip of non-corrosive, non-staining, finishing material installed along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction. On eaves where gutters are present, this material is commonly called gutter apron.

Bitumen: Any of various flammable mixtures of hydrocarbons and other substances, occurring naturally or obtained by distillation from coal or petroleum, that are a component of asphalt and tar and are used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing.

Elongation: The ability of a membrane to be stretched and lengthened by force to accommodate movement. Roofing membranes have forces exerted on them from the building movement and the membrane must be able to accommodate these movements.

Steep Slope: Roof that pitches more than 45 degrees.

Low Temperature Flexibility: The ability of a membrane to remain flexible and resist cracking after it has been exposed to low temperatures.

Base Ply: An asphalt-saturated and/or coated felt installed as the first ply with 4 inch laps in a built-up roof system under the following felts which can be installed in a shingle like fashion.

Self-sealing Strip: Factory applied adhesive that bonds shingle courses together when exposed to the heat of the sun after application.

As with any service, understanding the basic vocabulary involved will help you avoid communication problems. This, of course, helps avoid mistakes where you end up getting a bigger repair than you really ever needed.

About the Author

Tom Burrell is with 866FixMyRoof.com, a licensed, insured, bonded and certified roofing contractor providing you with Beaumont roof repairs.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.