Roofing contractor glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a roofing contractor provider in Greater Hartford.

What are 3-tab shingles?: 3-tab shingles are flat asphalt shingles with three evenly spaced tab cutouts, creating the appearance of six separate shingles when installed; they are the most basic and economical asphalt shingle style.
What are architectural shingles?: Architectural shingles are multi-layer asphalt shingles with varying thicknesses and textures that create depth and a more upscale appearance than flat 3-tab shingles.
What is a fascia board?: The horizontal board that runs along the lower edge of a roof, to which gutters are attached; it protects the rafter tails and roof structure from weather exposure.
What is a gutter guard?: A gutter guard is a protective screen or mesh cover installed over gutters to block leaves and debris while allowing rainwater to flow freely into downspouts.
What is a low-slope roof?: A low-slope roof has a pitch of less than 3:12 (under 3 inches of rise per 12 inches of run) and uses sheet membrane materials like TPO, EPDM, or modified bitumen instead of shingles.
What is a ridge vent?: A ridge vent is a continuous opening or slotted strip installed along the peak of a roof that allows hot, humid air to escape from the attic.
What is a roof square?: A roof square is a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet of roof area, used by contractors to estimate roofing materials and labor.
What is a roof valley?: A roof valley is the internal angle where two sloping roof planes meet and channel water toward the gutters and downspouts.
What is a soffit vent?: Soffit vents are intake openings installed in the soffit (underside of a roof overhang) that allow cool outside air to enter the attic space.
What is a soffit?: A soffit is the exposed underside board or panel that runs along a roof overhang between the fascia and the exterior wall, typically made of vinyl, aluminum, or wood.
What is a standing seam roof?: A standing seam roof is a metal roofing system where large flat panels connect along raised vertical seams that interlock to shed water and resist wind uplift.
What is an ice dam?: An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof when heat escapes from the attic and melts snow, which then refreezes as it runs toward the cold eaves.
What is attic ventilation?: Attic ventilation is a system of intake vents (soffit or eaves) and exhaust vents (ridge, gable, or turbine) that circulates air through the attic to manage heat and moisture buildup.
What is built-up roofing (BUR)?: Built-up roofing (BUR) is a traditional flat roof system made of multiple layers of tar-saturated felt alternated with bitumen, topped with gravel for protection and UV reflection.
What is drip edge?: Drip edge is a bent metal flashing strip installed along the eaves and gable edges of a roof to direct rainwater into gutters and shield the fascia from water infiltration.
What is EPDM roofing?: EPDM is a synthetic rubber single-ply roofing membrane commonly applied to flat and low-slope commercial buildings, known for its durability and weather resistance.
What is flashing?: Flashing is metal material installed where the roof meets chimneys, vents, valleys, and other protrusions to seal joints and prevent water intrusion.
What is ice and water shield?: A self-adhering, rubberized waterproof membrane installed beneath roof shingles at eaves and valleys to block water and ice melt from entering the structure.
What is roof decking?: Roof decking is the structural sheathing (typically plywood or OSB) that forms the base layer of a roof, to which underlayment and shingles attach.
What is roof pitch?: Roof pitch is the angle or steepness of a roof, measured as the ratio of vertical rise per 12 inches of horizontal run (e.g., 6/12 means 6 inches of rise per 12 inches of run).
What is step flashing?: Step flashing consists of L-shaped metal segments installed in a stair-step pattern where a roof meets a vertical wall or chimney, with each piece overlapping the shingle course below it to direct water down and off the roof.
What is TPO roofing?: TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a synthetic rubber membrane installed as a single-ply layer on flat commercial roofs, known for its bright white finish that reflects heat.
What is underlayment?: Underlayment is a water-resistant barrier material installed directly on the roof deck beneath shingles to prevent water infiltration and protect the structure underneath.
What is valley flashing?: Valley flashing is metal or membrane material installed in the valley where two sloped roof sections meet to direct water runoff downward and prevent leaks at the seam.