Roofing Terms You Should Know

dormer window master shake metal roofing

Like any industry, roofing has its own terminology that can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the jargon. Below, we’ll explore some common roofing terms so that when you are thinking about getting a new roof, you’ll be in the know.

COMMON ROOFING TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Flashing

Flashing is the metal material you see around openings and holes like vents and chimneys. Often made of sheet metal, it is designed to keep out the elements, including snow, ice and rain.

Eave

The eave is the overhanging horizontal edge of a sloped roof that extends beyond the building. It serves as the attachment point for gutters.

Soffit

Soffit is the material installed on the underside of an eave. While adding aesthetic value, soffit helps to ventilate your roof, while keeping mold from growing and critters outside.

Gutters

Most people know what gutters are, but the term is still worth defining. Gutters are troughs positioned below the roof’s edge, meant to collect rainwater and melting snow and safely divert it from your home’s foundation to prevent water damage.

Dormer

A dormer can be one of the most beautiful parts of your metal roof. It usually contains a window that projects out from the plane or slope of your roof, and it is often used to create more space in your attic so it can be turned into usable living area. There are many types of dormers, usually named for the shape of the metal roof. For example, there are hip roof dormers, shed dormers and link dormers. They most definitely add beauty to any building.

Fascia

Fascia is directly above the soffit. It is usually an exposed board that is on the front of your roof’s overhang, offering a solid backing for gutter installation. Fascia also plays a role in aesthetics since it is a decorative element that creates a finished look for the edge of the roof.

WHY CHOOSE MASTERSHAKE?

The Mastershake roofing system is a proprietary metal roofing system designed for efficiency and performance. Steel roofs are some of the strongest roofs in the industry, known for their longevity, durability and ability to handle tough weather. Our attractive metal roofing system is mold resistant, environmentally friendly and has a 50-year warranty guarantee.

Contact us today.