If you don’t know much about roofing, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most homeowners don’t give much thought about the roof over their heads until they need to replace or repair it. It helps to have a basic understanding of your roof and what goes into protecting your home from the elements, however, just in case you ever need to hire someone to fix or replace it. Understanding these terms will help you to better ask informed questions and find the right contractor for you.
1. Squares
Roofs are measured in “squares.” A square simply means 100 square feet. For example, if you are told that your roof is 15 squares, this means that your roof is 1500 square feet.
2. Deck
This is the surface that your roofing will be applied to. It is usually made of either plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). The deck is attached to the rafters in your home.
3. Underlayment
This material is rolled out and laid on top of the deck before the shingles are installed. The underlayment provides extra resistance to water.
4. Slope
This is the incline of your roof. The slope is a ratio that is calculated (in inches per foot) by how high the roof rises to how far across it runs horizontally. For example, if your roof has a slope of “8 in 12,” that means your roof rises 8 inches for every 12 inches it runs across.
5. Low-Slope
A low-slope is a roof with little incline. Low-slopes are usually “4 in 12” or less. They may need special products to protect from ice and water, as they are more prone to buildup from both.
6. Penetration
A penetration is anything that sticks up out of your roof, like a chimney or skylight. Penetrations are the areas most at risk for leaks, because water runoff can get under shingles easier in these areas.
7. Flashing
This is a piece of metal material that is applied around penetrations to keep water from running under your shingles and causing leaks. Making sure your flashing is in good repair is critical to preventing leaks.
8. Dormer
This is a window that comes up out of the slope in a roof. Dormers have their own roofs and are usually built to give homeowners extra storage.
Contact Us
Whether you’re remodeling, replacing your roof, or you are in need of roof repairs, Chappell Roofing can help. We offer services for residential and commercial projects in the Permian Basin. For more information on Chappell Roofing and why you should choose us, contact ustoday!