Roofing Glossary

Authoritative definitions for 33+ roofing terms — from architectural shingles to wind uplift. Whether you're filing an insurance claim or comparing estimates, understanding the lingo helps you make smarter decisions.

Architectural Shingles: Multi-layered asphalt shingles (also called dimensional or laminate shingles) that mimic the look of wood shake or slate. Heavier and longer-lasting than 3-tab shingles, with typical 30-50 year warranties.
Built-Up Roofing (BUR): A commercial flat roof system made of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics, finished with a gravel or coated cap. Lifespan of 15-30 years.
Decking (Roof Deck): The structural wood surface (typically OSB or plywood) attached to roof rafters. All other roofing materials are installed on top of the decking.
Drip Edge: An L-shaped metal flashing installed along the edges of a roof to direct water away from the fascia and into the gutters. Required by most building codes.
EPDM Roofing: Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer — a single-ply rubber membrane used on commercial flat roofs. Highly durable, with a lifespan of 25-30 years.
Fascia: The vertical board attached to the ends of roof rafters at the eaves. Supports the gutter system and gives the roofline a finished appearance.
Felt (Underlayment): A water-resistant or waterproof barrier installed directly on the roof deck before shingles. Modern synthetic underlayments have largely replaced traditional asphalt-saturated felt.
Flashing: Thin metal pieces installed to direct water away from critical areas — chimneys, vents, valleys, and walls. Faulty flashing is the #1 cause of roof leaks.
GAF Master Elite: An elite certification held by less than 3% of US roofing contractors. Master Elite contractors can offer GAF's strongest warranties, including the Golden Pledge.
Gable: The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof slopes. A gable roof is the most common residential roof style in Oklahoma.
Granules: The colored ceramic-coated mineral particles embedded on the surface of asphalt shingles. They protect the asphalt from UV damage and provide color. Granule loss after a hailstorm is a key indicator of damage.
HAAG Certified Inspector: A roofing inspector trained and certified by HAAG Engineering to identify hail, wind, and storm damage. HAAG certification is widely recognized by insurance carriers.
Hail Damage: Impact damage to a roof caused by hailstones. Indicators include circular bruising, granule loss, exposed mat, and cracked shingles. According to NOAA, Oklahoma averages 4-7 significant hail events per year.
Ice and Water Shield: A self-adhering waterproof underlayment installed at vulnerable areas like eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. Required in many storm-prone areas including parts of Oklahoma and Kansas.
Impact-Resistant Shingles: Class 4 (UL 2218) rated shingles engineered to withstand hail impact. Many Oklahoma homeowners qualify for insurance discounts of 10-30% when installing Class 4 shingles.
Master Service Agreement (MSA): A free annual commercial inspection program with documented reporting. Property owners pay only for approved repairs. Provides a no-cost roof health record for budgeting and insurance purposes.
Modified Bitumen: An asphalt-based commercial flat roof system reinforced with polymers. Installed in rolls using torch-down, cold-adhesive, or self-adhered methods.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board): An engineered wood panel commonly used as roof decking. Less expensive than plywood and equally code-compliant in most jurisdictions.
Pitch (Roof Slope): The steepness of a roof, expressed as rise over run (e.g., 6/12 means the roof rises 6 inches for every 12 horizontal inches). Most Oklahoma residential roofs have pitches between 4/12 and 9/12.
Preventative Maintenance Agreement (PMA): A scheduled commercial roof maintenance program covering inspections, debris removal, drain cleaning, and minor repairs. Extends average commercial roof lifespan by 30-50%.
Rake: The slanted edge of a gable roof, running from eave to ridge. Rake edges are typically finished with rake boards and drip edge flashing.
Ridge: The horizontal peak where two roof slopes meet at the top. Ridge caps are specialized shingles that protect this seam.
Ridge Vent: A continuous vent installed along the ridge of a roof, allowing hot air to escape from the attic. Combined with soffit vents, it creates a balanced ventilation system.
Soffit: The exposed underside of the roof eaves. Soffit vents bring cool air into the attic to balance ridge vent exhaust.
SPF Foam Roofing: Spray Polyurethane Foam — a seamless commercial roof system applied as a liquid that expands into a rigid insulating layer. Excellent for irregular roofs and offers superior R-value.
Square (Roofing Square): A unit of roof measurement equal to 100 square feet (10' x 10'). The average Oklahoma home has a 22-30 square roof. Materials and labor are typically priced per square.
Standing Seam Metal: A premium metal roof system with raised vertical seams that interlock without exposed fasteners. Lifespan of 50+ years and excellent for both residential and commercial applications.
Storm Damage: Roof damage caused by hail, high winds, or wind-driven debris. In Oklahoma and Kansas, most storm damage qualifies for an insurance claim under standard homeowner policies.
Tear-Off: The complete removal of all existing roofing materials down to the deck before installing a new roof. Recommended over a roof-over for warranty validity and proper inspection of the deck.
TPO Roofing: Thermoplastic Polyolefin — a single-ply white reflective membrane for commercial flat roofs. Energy-efficient, weldable seams, and 20-30 year lifespan.
Underlayment: The protective layer installed between the roof deck and the roofing material. Modern synthetic underlayments are stronger, lighter, and more water-resistant than traditional felt.
Valley: The internal angle where two roof slopes meet, channeling water down to the gutter. Valleys are high-leak risk areas and require specialized flashing or weave techniques.
Wind Uplift: The force of wind pushing up under shingles, which can lift and tear them off. Most modern shingles are rated for 110-130 mph winds when properly installed with starter strips and sealed correctly.

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