Roofing Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

If you’re looking to get a new roof installed or repairs done to your current roof, it’s best to hire one of the your roofing companies in Overland Park right away, but first, educate yourself!  Learning the proper terms will not give you some fun talking points with your roofing friends and allow you to talk the talk with the premier roofing company in Johnson County, but also know how to properly research what the best options are for your roof with your roofing contractors in Overland Park.  Here are the essential roofing terms every homeowner should know.
 

Deck, Felt & Underlayment 

 

The “deck” of a roof, often referred to as “sheathing,” is the term used to describe the surface that is underneath the shingles.  If some of your shingles are missing and you need Overland Park roof repair, your deck is most likely showing. The underlayment is installed under the shingles and adds an additional layer of protection. 
 

 

Penetrations & Flashing 

 

This is a term that refers to anything that might stick out of your roof.  This can include skylights, vents, chimneys, and much more.  Flashing is different though.  It is a metal piece installed around the edges of the penetrations to prevent any water of entering your home through the seam and causing damage to your roof’s deck.  
 

 

Slope & Square 

 

When looking at a roof, it’s pretty easy to figure out what the slope is, but what is a roof’s square?  The slope of your roof is a measurement of how many inches a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal distance.  For example, a roof with a 5-inch increase for every 12 horizontal inches has a “5-in-12 slope”.  Your roof’s “square” is the standard measurement of a roofing area, and is used for roofer’s to determine the space they will be working in.