As a
homeowner, you can’t expect to know everything about your home, how to repair
it, or maintain it. And we can’t expect you to either!
At GHG
Exteriors we strive to be as informative as possible. If you’re scheduled to meet
with us for a free estimate, or would like to brush up on need-to-knows before
scheduling that free estimate with GHG Exteriors, then read on. We’ve compiled
a list of contractor lingo to help you, our customers, better understand your
home and its needed repairs.
Algae Discoloration: Algae discoloration is a type of fungus
growth on the shingles of a roof resulting in a discoloration of the roofing
system caused by algae.
Architectural Shingle: An architectural shingle is a
laminated three dimensional shingle that contains more than one layer of
shingle tabs. Architectural shingles are made of a fiberglass mat and asphalt
with a textured appearance creating a three dimensional effect.
Blisters: Blisters is a term used to
describe bubble-like damage on the surface of a roof.
Bundle: A bundle is a package of shingles.
Depending on the shingle type and brand, it takes 3 – 5 bundles to cover one
square of roofing surface area.
Chalk Line: A chalk line is used by roof
installers to guarantee correct alignment of the shingles. A chalk line is made
by snapping a chalk string across the roof surface between two points.
Concealed Nail Method: The concealed nail method is used
when installing a new roof system. All the nails are driven into the underlying
course of shingles and covered by an overlapping course preventing exposure of
the nails to weather.
Course: A course is a row of shingles which
run the length of the roof. Courses are used when installing a new roof system
by applying the first course at the eave and running overlapping courses up to
the ridges. The course method of laying shingles is the preferred method.
Cricket: A cricket is a wood-framed
structure that re-directs water away from vertical roof projections such as the
chimney, walls, and vents.
Deck or Decking:Decking is the OSB material secured to the supportive
framing to which all roofing materials are applied.
Dormer: A dormer is a framed decorative window
unit on the sloping plane of a roof. Dormers often serve no other function
except as a decoration and can be easily added or removed.
Downspout: A downspout, also called a leader,
is a pipe for draining water from roof gutters running down the side of a home.
Downspouts are strategically placed for maximum drainage, and are often located
at the corners of the home directing water away from the foundation.
Drip Edge: A drip-edge is typically made from
steel flashing material, or other non-corrosive material. It is used at the
eaves and rakes at a 90º angle to direct the flow of water into the gutter
system to drop clear of underlying doorways, walkways, fascia, and other construction
elements.
F-Channel: The F-channel refers to a piece of
trim designed to take a piece of siding at a 90º angle to the fastening
structure.
Face Nailing: Face nailing is never recommended
and is the process of securing siding by nailing siding through the visible
portion of the panel instead of the nailing strip.
Fascia:Fascia boards are located along the perimeter
of the roof below the roof level and are often identified as the boards behind
the gutters. The purpose of fascia boards is to cover the rafter tails at the
eaves.
Felt:Felt, also known as underlayment, is used
when installing a new roof system is made of interwoven fibers
saturated with asphalt. Felt is applied directly to the decking and is used as
a protective layer between shingles and decking. A minimum 2” overlay is
required for maximum protection.
Flange: The flange is the area of a siding
panel or piece of trim where the fastening holes are located.
Flashing:Flashing is a flexible metal
material used to assist in sealing a roof to prevent leaks around pipes,
chimneys, dormers, valleys or adjoining walls which a part of or project
through the roof.
Flat or Low Slope Roof: A flat or low slope roof is
qualified as such because it has a pitch of less than 3’ rise per 12’ run and
requires a specific sealed system installation.
Gable Roof: A gable roof is a type of roof with
sloping sides of the same pitch on either side of the ridge containing a gable
at each end.
Gambrel Roof: A gambrel roof is a type of roof with
two sloping sides of different pitch on either side of the ridge. The lower side
has a steeper slope than the upper and contains a gable at each end.
Gutter: The gutter is an aluminum trough
that directs water from the eaves to the downspouts and helps in the protection
of the foundation and siding from water damage and splash.
Head Flashing: Head flashing describes a piece of
trim used to direct water away from the top of vertical siding in order to
prevent water from intruding behind the siding. Head flashing can also be
referred to as a drip edge since it is also used over windows and doors to
deflect water run-off.
Hip:The hip describes the outer inclined angle at the
intersection of two sloping roof sides and runs from the ridge (top) to the
eaves (bottom).
Hip Roof: A hip roof is a type of roof with
sloping sides of the same pitch on four sides and contains no gables.
Hip shingles: Shingles used to cover the
inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
J-Channel: A J-channel is the most common
trim piece used when installing a new siding system. A J-channel is used around
windows, doors, eaves, and soffits to provide a groove for the end of a siding
panel or soffit panel.
Laminated Shingles: Laminated shingles, also known as
three dimensional or architectural shingles, contain more than one layer of shingle
tabs. Laminated shingles are made of a fiberglass mat and asphalt. The textured
appearance along with the multi-layer of tabs creates the three dimensional
effect.
Lap: Lap is used to describe an overlap
of panel or trim on a previous panel or trim. This is considered to be lap
joint.
Leak Barrier: A leak barrier is a membrane that
is applied to the roof deck often in the roof valleys. The leak barrier is designed
to protect against water leaks caused by ice buildup or wind-driven rain.
Lock: The lock is the portion of a
siding panel that accepts the locking leg from the next course of panels or
from the starter strip.
Locking Leg: The locking leg is the portion of a
siding panel that slips into the lock from the previous course of panels.
Mineral Stabilizers: Mineral stabilizers are made from
finely ground limestone, slate, and other materials which are added to asphalt
coatings to increase durability and resistance to fire and erosion.
Mineral Surface Roofing: Mineral surface roofing refers to
asphalt shingles and roll roofing that is covered with granules.
Miter: A miter refers to the joint of two
panels, usually at a 90º angle where each panel is cut at a 45º angle. Soffit
material may also be installed in this manner to provide a more aesthetically
pleasing appearance.
Nailing Hem: The nailing hem is the area on a
siding panel or piece of trim where the fastening holes are located.
Nail Hole Punch: The nail hole punch is a tool used
in siding installation that creates an oval hole in vinyl siding for nail
placement. This tool is critical in order to allow expansion and contraction of
the vinyl siding
OpenValley: Open valley describes the method
of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are
trimmed along a chalk line and do not extend across the valley exposing the
valley flashing or leak barrier.
Overhang: The overhang is the portion of a
roof that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building at the eaves.
Pipe Collar: A pipe collar, or pipe jack, is placed
over a vent pipe to seal the roof around a vent pipe opening.
Pitch Change:Pitch change describes the variation in degree of the roof
incline, and is calculated in feet by the ratio of rise to span.
Ply: Ply refers to the number of layers
of roofing: i.e. one-ply, two-ply.
Plumbing Boot:A plumbing boot serves the same purpose as a pipe
collar and is used to seal the intersection of the roof and a plumbing
penetration to prevent leaks.
Racking: Racking is a roofing installation
technique in which shingle courses are applied vertically to the roof from the
eave to the ridge rather than horizontally from rake to rake. Racking is not a
recommended procedure and should be discussed prior to roof installation.
Rafter:A rafter is a sloped structural member of a home
designed to support the decking and roof system components and extends from the
ridge or hip to the eave.
Rake:The rake is the inclined edge of a sloped roof over a
wall from the eave to the ridge, and usually perpendicular to the eave and
ridge.
Ridge:The horizontal external angle formed at the top of a
roof by the intersection of sloping roof sides.
Ridge Vent:A ridge vent is a type of exhaust vent for a roof that
ventilates the attic. Ridge vents are located along the ridge line at the top
of the roof. The roof deck is cut back to allow for the ridge vent which works
in combination with soffit vents under the eaves.
Roof Ventilation: Roof ventilation describes the static,
wind- or power-operated ventilation system that removes hot air and moisture
from under the roof. Recommended roof ventilation systems require the
installation of ridge vents.
Shed Roof:A shed roof is also known as a half gable roof and contains
only one sloping side. A shed roof is a single-pitch roof with no hips, ridges,
valleys, or gables.
Soffit: A soffit is the finished underside
of the eaves, or overhang, which is either enclosed or exposed.
Soffit Vent: A soffit vent is an intake vent which
covers the soffit and provides venting and air circulation in the attic. Soffit
vents must be used in combination with other forms of venting such as ridge vents
or roof vents.
Strapping: Strapping, also known as furring
strip, refers to a piece of wood or metal that is secured to the outer surface
of the home providing a surface to fasten siding to. Strapping is can also be used
to straighten or correct surfaces that are not flat, and is commonly used over
brick, stucco, or previously installed siding.
Starter Shingle: A starter shingle is a type of
half shingle applied to the perimeter of the roof over the felt prior to laying
the first course of asphalt shingles. The adhesive strip at the top of the starter
shingle adheres to the overlaying asphalt shingles providing the maximum wind
coverage.
Starter Strip: In siding, a starter strip
describes the horizontal strip fastened to the lowest point of thesiding installation and is used to
connect the first course of siding to the home.
T-Channel:A T-channel is used in siding and is trim used in joining the ends
of two panels. T-channels are most common used when horizontal siding on a wall
meets vertical siding on a roof gable.
Underlayment: Underlayment is used to describe
any type of material that is used under siding between the exterior wall surface
and the back of the panel, or the felt material applied to the decking of a
roof under the shingles.
