Below are key metal roofing terms and definitions that will give you the information you need to successfully plan and execute your metal roofing installation.
architectural roofing
This system of roofing is non-weight load bearing so must be installed over solid decking. This is also called a “non-structural system.”…
Below are key metal roofing terms and definitions that will give you the information you need to successfully plan and execute your metal roofing installation.
architectural roofing
This system of roofing is non-weight load bearing so must be installed over solid decking. This is also called a “non-structural system.”
Also known as: roofing materials, roofing material, metal roofing, gaf roofing, gaf shingles, gaf elk shingles, architectural asphalt roof shingles, asphalt shingles, roofing company, roofing companies, roof repair, roofing repair, flat roof repair, roofing contractors, roof contractors, rubber roofing, copper roofing, copper roof
class A, B, and C fire ratings
This is a rating that determines a roofing system’s resistance to fires that originate from sources outside of the building.
Also known as: class c fire rating, class b fire, class b fire extinguisher, class c fire, class b and c fires, class d fire, class d fire extinguisher, classification of fires, fire extinguisher classification, fire safety, fire extinguisher safety, fire and safety, class abc fire extinguisher
clip
This small metal component is used to secure two pieces of metal together. It is also used to secure metal shingles to solid decking.
closed valley
This is the area underneath the cover where the shingles meet at the miter from adjoining roof planes. Called a valley, this area carries hidden channels of water underneath the roof covering. At times debris becomes trapped in the valleys which results in water overflowing underneath the roofing system.
coil coating
In this coating process, paint is continuously applied to both sides of a moving strip of metal. This entails the entire process by cleaning the metal, pre-treating it with chemicals, adding primer, and, finally, a topcoat.
Also known as: coil, coil coatings, industrial coating, metal coating, powder coating metal, metal coatings, aluminum paint, aluminum coating, coil coating process, powder process, metal coaters
cold roof
This type of roof incorporates “above sheathing ventilation” for the purpose of preventing hot spots on the roof which leads to wintertime ice dams.
Also known as: cold roof design, hot roof vs cold roof, flat roof insulation, flat roof ventilation, cold roof ventilation, roof ventilation, roof insulation, hot roof insulation, cold roof system, flat roof systems, flat roofing, warm roof, warm roof vs cold roof, warm roof construction, preventing ice dams, prevent ice dams
condensation
This is a process that occurs when warm, moist air hits a cool surface. This often occurs in poorly designed roofing systems. The keys to avoiding condensation in roof systems are ventilation, vapor barriers, and insulation.
course
This is a row of metal shingles that run the length of the roof.
decking
The surface installed over the supporting framing members on which the roofing is applied is the decking.
dormer
This framed window unit projects through the sloping plane of a roof.
drip edge
This piece of metal is placed on the eave of a roof for the protection of the underlayment and eave of the roof. It also directs water in the proper direction.
eave
This is the very edge of a roof at the bottom of a roof plane.
Also known as: roof eave, roof eaves, eaves roof, eave roof, eave vents, eave vent, eaves definition, under eave lighting, under eaves lighting, soffits and eaves, eaves and soffits, overhang roof, overhanging eaves, eave overhanging, eave ventilation, eaves ventilation, eaves ventilators
flashings
These components are used to help waterproof perimeters and protrusions in a roofing system.
Also known as: metal roof flashing, metal roofing, metal roofs, sheet metal flashing, sheet metal, sheet metal flashings, metal fabrication, metal fabricators, stainless steel roof, steel roofing, custom sheet metal, custom metal
gable
This is the edge of a roof. The gable runs from the eave to the ridge.
Also known as: gabled roof, gable roof, roof gable, gable roofs, gable end decorations, gable attic vent, shed gable vents, gable trim, gable end trim
galvanized steel
This is carbon steel that includes a protective alloy which is comprised mainly of zinc on both sides of the steel. Various grades of galvanized steel are available. G90 is recommended for applications on residential structures.
Also known as: galvanized steel tubing, galvanized steel tube, galvanized steel sheet, painting galvanized steel, paint galvanized steel, galvanized steel pipe, steel piping, galvanized steel prices, hot dipped galvanized steel, stainless steel, galvanized stainless steel
heat tape
Used to alleviate ice damming, this is an electric cable that helps melt snow near the eaves of a roof.
Also known as: heat tape for pipes, pipe heat tape, roof heat tape, heat tape for roof, gutter heat tape, gutter heaters, heat trace, heat trace cable, electrical heat tape, heat cable, heating cable
hip
This inclined external angle runs from the ridge to the eaves. It is formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
hip roof
This roof contains sloping planes on all sides.
Also known as: hip roof framing, how to frame a hip roof, hip roof calculator, hip roof vs gable roof, types of roofs, roof type, hip rafter, rafter length, hip roof house plans, hip roof shingles, roof construction, hip roof construction, hip roof trusses
hot roof
This type of roof has a completely sealed attic that is not vented. The interior is commonly sprayed with closed cell urethane foam insulation.
Also known as: attic foam insulation, spray foam attic, insulating an attic, cold roof, cold roof design, cold roof system
ice and water shield
This self-adhering membrane is specifically designed for use in areas with heavy rain and snow. It helps prevent leaks and is installed on the underlayment and the first three feet of the roof.
Also known as: ice and water shield installation, ice dams, how to remove ice dams, roofing underlayment, residential roofers, ice & water shield, roofing ice and water shield, roof ice shield, roof sheathing
ice dam
This is created when snow melts on the upper section of a roof surface and then freezes again at the eaves due to the roof surface being colder. Because the water backs up, leaks are created in the roofing system. This can be controlled by insulating and ventilating the attic.
Also known as: roof heating coils, heat tape ice dams, preventing ice dams, how to prevent ice dams, roof ice melt, melting ice dams, roof ice melting dams, ice dam cables, ice dams heat cables, ice dams in gutters, gutter heaters, gutter heat tape, ice and water shield, ice shield, ice dam removal, how to remove ice dams
open valley
This valley-design transitions water and debris off of a roof slope by carrying the water on the top of the roofing systems.
pipe jacks
This refers to flashings made of metal and/or neoprene. It is used to seal around round vents, plumbing pipes, conduits, and other roof penetrations.
Also known as: pipe jack stands, pipe stands, rigid pipe stand, pipe flashing, flashing pipe jack, pipe jack flashing, roof jack, roof pipe jack, roofing jacks, lifting jacks
pitch
This is the slope of a roof plane. It is also referred to as the height of rise over length of run.
ridge
This is the very top section of the roof where the two roof slopes come together. It runs the entire length of the roof.
roof framing styles
This is a reference to the different designs and shapes a roof can take. Hip, gable, and barn style roofs are a few examples.
Also known as: timber framing, timber frame, roof trusses, roof truss framing, home styles, a frame style homes, hip roof house plans, hip roof styles, hip roof construction, wood roof framing, wood framing basics, roof construction, roof construction terms, home framing basics, home roof framing basics
sealant
This is commonly used on joints or cracks in order to help prevent leaks. It should also be used for aesthetic reasons.
siliconized polyester coating
This solvent-based system increases resin stability and coating flexibility. This type of coating is often used on agricultural metal roofs.
starter strip
This is used to begin the attachment of many metal roofing systems. It is used on the left hand edge of the roof on many standing seam systems. For metal shingle systems, it is used at the bottom of the roof.
Also known as: shingle starter, starter shingles, starter row shingles, how to install siding, shingle installation, how to put up vinyl siding, vinyl siding, best vinyl siding, starter shingles, cutting shingles, how to cut shingles, cutting roof shingles, shingles roofing materials, roof shingles materials, vinyl shingle, how to install vinyl, vinyl roofing shingles
stone coating
This type of metal roofing is made from aluminum or zinc coated steel. It is then coated with the same granules as composition shingles.
Also known as: stone coated metal roofing, garage flooring, garage floor paint, pebble stone, epoxy floor coating, natural stone coating, natural stone
structural roofing
This is a reference to metal roofing that provides structural integrity to a building. This type of roofing does not require decking for installation.
Also known as: pre engineered metal buildings, roofing materials, steel buildings, corrugated steel building, steel roofing, steel roof structures, structural metal roof decking, aluminum roofing panels, structural roof panels, corrugated roofing, corrugated aluminum roofing
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