The Language of Roofing – Communicate Effectively with Your Contractor

As a homeowner, you will definitely encounter issues with your roof at one time or another – even if it was installed properly. Working with a contractor can be stressful, especially if you don’t know anything about roofing in Scituate, MA. Your contractor may take the time to explain things, but the process will flow much more smoothly if you are aware of the basic vocabulary that roofers use. This will allow you communicate issues clearly with your contractor, and give you a better understanding of the work they will be doing for you.

Decking – The surface of the roof. This is usually made of plywood or strand board.

Dormer – Usually a window, this is a small structure attached to a sloped roof.

Drip Edge – This is a piece of metal that site along the edge of your roof and prevents water from dripping onto the eaves, siding and deck.

Eaves – These are the parts of your roof that hang over the side of the house – the outermost edges of the roof.

Fascia – This is the trim board that is behind the gutter and eaves.

Fire Rating – The Fire Rating is a system that tells you the level of fire resistance in roofing materials. Class A has the highest resistance to fire that starts outside the structure, while Class C has the lowest.

Felt – This is the tar paper used by roofers when they shingle your roof. This is usually comprised of asphalt and paper. Rags could also be substituted for the paper depending on which products they are using to do your roofing in Scituate, MA.

Flashing – Flashing is comprised of metal sheets placed at the juncture of your roof planes to prevent water from seeping into the roof, and to prevent different parts of the roof from becoming disjointed. This is typically found around chimneys, vent pipes, valleys, and places where the roof meets vertical walls.

Membrane – This is any portion of the roof that acts as waterproofing material.

Now that you know some important roofing vocabulary, you can feel more confident in speaking with your roofing contractor. When you need roofing in Scituate, MA and the surrounding areas, turn to the experienced contractors at South Shore Roofing. We will work with you to get the job done right the first time, every time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.