Roofing Resources
The MCMaster roofing glossary.
Roofing has its own language. We believe in transparency and education, so here's a plain-English guide to the terms you'll hear during your roof project. Search or browse below — and if a term you're curious about isn't here, just ask.
Showing 37 of 37 terms
- Asphalt
- An organic compound that forms the base of many shingles.
- ASTM
- A renowned organization that sets standards for material testing and specifications.
- Base Flashing
- Flashing attached to the roof deck, playing a vital part in waterproofing.
- Blind Nailing
- A technique that hides nail heads under subsequent roofing layers.
- Blisters
- Occasional bubbles that form on asphalt roofing surfaces.
- Bonding Cement
- Ensures roofing materials adhere to one another; also known as asphalt roofing cement.
- Bridging
- A roofing method where new shingles contour to old ones; removal of the old roof is often preferable.
- Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
- Layered roofing designed for flat or low-slope roofs.
- Cant Strip
- Used at intersections between the roof and vertical surfaces to create an angle break.
- Cap Flashing
- Overlaps the base flashing to prevent water from getting behind it.
- Caulk
- A sealant that fills voids or joints.
- Class "A" Rating
- Represents the highest level of fire resistance for roofing.
- Closed Valley
- A roof intersection (valley) covered by roofing materials. MCMaster primarily uses this approach.
- Collars
- Flanges placed over vent pipes, typically made of lead or rubber.
- Course
- A single row of roofing running horizontally.
- Deck
- The surface that supports the shingles, typically made from OSB or plywood.
- Dormer
- A window structure that projects through the slope of a roof.
- Drip Edge
- A strip, usually metal, that guides water runoff away from the roof edge.
- Eave
- The horizontal lower edge of a roof that extends beyond the wall.
- Laminated Shingles
- Multilayered shingles built for additional thickness and durability.
- Low-Slope Application
- Shingle application for roof slopes between 2 and 4 inches of rise per foot.
- Modified Bitumen
- A durable, roller-applied roofing membrane.
- Open Valley
- A valley that uses exposed metal and doesn't cover the entire valley area the way a closed valley does.
- Seal Down
- A factory-applied asphalt strip that bonds shingles together and provides wind resistance.
- Sheathing
- Exterior boards used to form the roof deck.
- Shingle Blend
- A mixture of colored granules that gives shingles their unique look.
- Shingle Butt
- The portion of a shingle exposed to the weather; also called the "tab."
- Slope
- A measure of a roof's incline.
- Soffit
- The underside of an eave.
- Square
- A roofing term for an area of 100 square feet.
- Starter Course
- The first row of shingles, concealed beneath the first exposed row.
- Step Flashing
- Flashing used alongside roofing materials where the roof meets walls or chimneys.
- Tab
- The part of a strip shingle that appears to be individually applied when installed.
- Underlayments
- Protective layers installed beneath the roofing material; quality varies by product.
- Valley
- The angle formed where two roof slopes meet.
- Vent
- An opening that allows air to flow out of the attic or roof system.
- Weathering
- Changes in roofing caused by ongoing exposure to the elements.
Still have a roofing question?
Never hesitate to ask. We're happy to explain anything about your roof in plain English — no pressure, no jargon.
Call 806-698-4653