As a homeowner, have you ever been confused by construction terminology?

It is commonplace for companies to use terms specific to their field of expertise. However, this terminology sometimes confuses the consumer, and this is especially true when providing a quote. Below is a list of common roofing terms and their definitions to aid in the consumer’s knowledge and understanding of roofing terms.

Downspout: A vertical pipe or conduit that carries rainwater from the scupper, guttering of a building to a lower roof level, drain, ground or storm water runoff system.

Drip Edge: Flashing made of steel or other non-corrosive material, placed along the eaves to let water drop clear of fascia and into the gutters (if gutters are in place).

Eave: A vertical roof edge that extends past the exterior wall line

Fascia: Vertical roof trim located along the perimeter of a building, usually below the roof level, to cover the rafter tails at the eaves. Referred to also as the boards behind the gutter.

Field of Roof System: the central or main portion of a roof, excluding the perimeter and flashing.

Flashing: Metal or other flexible material used to seal the roof and prevent leaks around any projection or intersection, such as pipes, chimneys, dormers, valleys or adjoining walls.

Gable: A triangular portion of the end wall of a building, directly under the sloping roof and above the eave line.

Gutters: A channeled component installed on the downslope perimeter of a roof to convey water runoff from the roof to the drain leaders or downspouts.

Hip: The external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes; from the ridge to the eaves.

Rafter: The structural member supporting the deck and roof system components, extending from the downslope perimeter to the ridge or hip.

Rake: 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 by the intersection of two sloping roof planes, i.e., where the two sides of a roof meet at the highest point.

Sheathing/Deck: A layer of boards, plywood or fiber materials applied to the outer studs, joists, and rafters of a building to strengthen the structure and serve as a base for an exterior waterproof covering.

Soffit: The finished underside of the eaves, or roof overhang, which can be enclosed or exposed.

Underlayment: an asphalt-saturated felt or other sheet material installed between the roof deck and the roof system. Underlayment is primarily used to separate the roof covering from the roof deck, to shed water, and to provide secondary weather protection for the roof area of the building.

Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes running from the eaves to the ridge, allowing water to run off.

Vent Pipe: an opening designed to allow air, heat, water vapor or other gas to escape from inside a building or building component and into the atmosphere.

For more information and/or a free estimate on any of our products or services, call (678) 565 ROOF (7663)

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to keep a roof over your family’s heads—literally! Over time, the shingles on your roof begin to warp and wear, resulting in the need to replace it. Before you call a roofing contractor for a new roof installation, it’s important to understand the different types of shingle materials. (more…)

Do you know whether to replace or repair your damaged roof? Most homeowners have to replace their roof at least once, but the lifespan of a roof can vary widely–even among houses in the same neighborhood. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when you’re considering roof replacement in Marietta. (more…)

This summer, you’re relying on the roof over your head to keep you cool and out of the sun. However, that same hot weather that you’re trying to get away from could be damaging your roof. Extreme weather conditions affect your shingles and roofing in different ways. While most roofs have an average lifespan of 15-20 years, the hot summer weather could speed that up a little bit. To avoid premature roof repair, be aware of how different climates could impact your roof. Then, take time to perform inspections and maintain your roof as needed to ensure that it stays in good condition all year long. (more…)

Keeping homes cool costs homeowners millions of dollars every year. Air conditioning takes a lot of energy, as do ceiling fans and ice makers. Just think of all of the devices that play some role in making the average temperature of your home cooler! Many techniques, including shading your windows with awnings and avoiding the use of your oven during the summer, can help cool down your house. One very effective way of making your home less hot, however, lies on top: your roof. If your roof is made up of dark asphalt shingles, you could be beckoning the sun’s hot rays like an irresistible Greek nymph. To keep your energy bills low and your brow sweat-free, your roof should act more like the guard dog Cerberus, menacing any sunshine that comes its ways. Cool roofs are all the rage, and we’ll tell you how you can make your roof repel heat like no one’s business.

Paint to Reflect the Sun

We’ve all experienced what happens when we wear black clothing out in the hot sun: It makes you even hotter! Black clothing and roofs, too, absorb heat. If you have a dark-colored roof, you could be increasing the latent temperature of your entire house. Painting shingles or other roofing materials a light color, from cream to white, or any color that reflects well and matches your house, can help lower the overall temperature. You can speak to roofing specialists in Roswell to make sure you get roof-specific paints. Be sure to also check with your roofer to ensure that painting your roof doesn’t void your roof’s warranty.

Get a Cool Roof with Bitumen

Did you know that the roofing materials you use can determine how much heat is absorbed as well? Modified bitumen roofing is a type of “cool roof” that people in hot areas choose over the traditional shingles and other materials. If your home is more often hot than not, or if you have very little shade around your house, this roof replacement can make a huge dent in your AC bills and the increasing frustration that comes with sweltering home temperatures. This type of roof can be added to homes that don’t have an overly-steep slope. To find out if your home’s roof is the right gradient and shape, get a personalized consultation.

Single-Ply Membrane

When you look into cool roofs, consider each material option. Besides bitumen, there are also single-ply membranes that go on the roof deck, with no other coatings required. This material is a type of pre-fabricated sheet that has reflective solar material on it. The reflective part is effective at forcing the sun’s rays away from your roof. This material can be combined with others and with painting techniques to get the optimal amount of sun-shunning action.

Replace Asphalt Shingles

If you have a roof with a steep slant, your options are more limited than if you had a flat or barely-sloped roof. One option that works for steep roofs is reflective shingles. Shingles that are coated with light, reflective granules work to make a cool roof. These shingles can be specially ordered and purchased at many home-improvement stores.

Getting your roof replaced is a large home improvement project. With our experienced and efficient roofers, the process won’t be too much of a hassle, but you will need to follow some advice to ensure that none of your indoor or outdoor possessions are damaged in this complex process. By following a few of our steps, you can be ready for roof replacement in Roswell and enjoy a smooth process of getting a brand-new roof.

Clear the Perimeter Outside

Roofers will need access to your driveway and the area around your home. Clearing the area so that they can bring roof replacement materials and machines in will make the process go quicker. Park any cars, RVs, or boats along the road in front of your house. If necessary, ask a neighbor if you can use their driveway on the big day. Clear the lawn around your house of bikes, lawn-care tools, and any of your children’s toys. This makes it easier for roofers to walk around your home and prevents your possessions from getting damaged by falling debris.

If you have a hot tub or pool on your property, cover them to keep dust and bits of roofing material from getting into the water. Replacing a roof is dusty work, so cover your flower beds with plastic if you have sensitive plants that you don’t want to have to clean off after the process has finished.

Protect Your Furnishings and Decorations

Inside your home, there’s a possibility that dust and dirt from the rooftop can get onto your furniture or other items. Old sheets or painting plastic make for great furniture covers. The walls and ceilings will also shake, so pull down any paintings or pictures hung on the wall, chandeliers or delicate light fixtures, and anything else that’s likely to come crashing down with some bumps. Storing delicate items in boxes with bubble wrap will prevent them from getting chipped or otherwise damaged.

Clear Pets and Children from the Area

The day when your roof gets replaced is a good time to take your family on an outing. Children can be either terrified or fascinated by a large project like this. Although our roofing company takes the utmost care to keep the process safe and smooth, it’s still possible that debris can fall from the roof to the lawn below. It’s much safer to keep children at a distance and know where they are at all times.

If any member of your family has allergies, the symptoms could be aggravated by the roof-replacement process. Make sure that they take their allergy medication and steer clear of the perimeter until the dust finally settles.

Pets will be agitated by the noise and bustle of the project. We recommend putting them in a carrier or kennel while the project is going on. You might want to put your dog on a leash and take the whole family to the park for a day. You can also take your pets to a friend’s or family member’s house for the afternoon.

With all of these precautions, you will be able to do a quick cleanup and enjoy your brand-new roof in no time.

Year after year, it’s easy to find excuses not to replace an old roof. Roofs are expensive and can take some time to replace. However, there’s a good reason for the cost and care that are put into installing roofs: They serve a lot of important purposes as part of your home. Let’s look at some of the ways that an old roof can seriously compromise the safety of your home, your utility bills, and the overall pleasantness of your house as a place to live.  (more…)

’Tis the season for yard work. Now that the cold weather has passed and the sun is coming out, it’s time to bust out the rake, shovels, and lawnmower. While doing yard work should be high on your priority list, don’t forget about taking care of your roof. After a stormy winter, your shingles and gutters could be in need of some TLC. Whether you do the inspection yourself or hire roofers in Roswell to take a look, it’s important to make sure everything is in working order. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep the roof over your head in good condition this summer. (more…)

If your roof isn’t in great condition, it’s not doing its job correctly. Your home is opened up to water damage, and your utility bills could skyrocket. In order to prevent this from happening, it’s important to get roof repair as soon as it’s needed. How often should you schedule repairs? To determine if your home requires repairs, look for the following 5 signs. (more…)

Your roof is such an essential feature that your house simply wouldn’t be complete without it. In addition to keeping your home stable in terms of weather and the outside elements, it also is an important part of keeping your space safe and secure. Your roof is also an indispensable part of your home’s insulation system, and the state of your roof has a direct impact on your energy bills each month. Knowing when to have maintenance, repairs, and even replacements done by your roof contractors in Sandy Springs is important, so read on to learn more about the process and its ideal timing. (more…)