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Have you ever felt as though roofers have their own language? As a specialized trade, it’s not an exaggeration to admit that we often do! With this in mind, it is important that homeowners familiarize themselves with some commonly used roofing terminology to ensure that nothing is “lost in translation” in their next run in with a contractor, estimator, or foreman. Being well versed in some basic roofing terms enables informed decision making, allows for better evaluation of roofing estimates, helps you to identify issues early on, and overall protects your investment on your home and roof. Here is the Anatomy of a Roof according to Owens Corning, see diagram here ! Roof Ridge: The intersection of two sides of the roof, creating a high point on the roof (also called the peak). Ridge Vent: A vent that runs along the roof ridge which allows for humid air to escape from your home’s attic and facilitates proper ventilation. Hip: The intersection of two sides of a roof that form a slope from the ridge to the eave. It is similar to the ridge but instead of forming at the highest point of the roof, the hip slopes downward instead of horizontally. Valley: An intersection of two roof planes that create a v-shaped angle and is designed to help with water runoff. Roof Deck: The structural foundation for the roof. The deck is commonly made of plywood. Roofing Underlayment: A material layer, usually of felt or synthetic underlayment, that sits between the decking and shingles and acts like an additional layer of protection. Synthetic underlayment does an excellent job at repelling moisture in comparison to felt and is much more durable. Flashing: Placed around joints, surrounding chimneys, and any other fixtures and helps to protect against water damage. Flashing is a metal material. Shingle: Asphalt shingles are made of multiple tabs to not only add dimension but durability to your roof. Shingles make up the top layer of your roof and are the first line of defense against the elements. Drip Edge: A small piece of metal that is installed near the rake and eave and helps with water runoff. Rake: The rake (sometimes called a gable) is the triangular section of the exterior wall at the peak of the roof between an eave and the roof Eave: Lower board of roof that overhangs the exterior walls. Ice and Water Barrier: Waterproof material that is installed along eaves, valleys, side walls, etc. to protect against water damage. Roof Slope: The steepness of a roof. Most commonly expressed as the ratio of the vertical rise over horizontal run. Roof Pitch: Very similar to roof slope except the pitch is calculated using the entire span of the roof (its width) while slope can be calculated using only a small section. The pitch of a roof is exclusively a roofing term and is used more often than slope. Roof Square: A roofing square refers to 100 square feet of roof area. It is a standard unit used in the roofing industry and by roofing contractors to simplify calculations and material estimates. Buckling: A visual sign of roof damage or aging characterized by the wrinkling or curling of shingles. ​ Now that you are familiar with the basics of roofing, feel free to use this blog as your future reference for when you come across a term you’re unfamiliar with. This blog post was inspired by Owens Corning and their blog article on the anatomy of a roof. Is there a roofing term you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments and we will be sure to update the page!

Deciding to replace your roof is a decision that requires both time and deliberation. When making this decision most homeowners spend their energy factoring in things like shingle type, durability, and the new roof’s warranty, often forgetting that it can also be an investment in the overall stylistic design of the home. That is not to say the logistical factors are unimportant; arguably they are the most crucial elements to consider when replacing a roof. However, for the homeowners who want both the functionality and pleasing aesthetics of a new roof this can be an exciting and creative process! As a proud CertainTeed and Owens Corning preferred contractor, we carry a wide selection of shingle colors and architectural lines to choose from. Click here to see CertainTeed’s selection or here for Owens Corning. We are happy to meet with you in our office located in Temperance, Michigan to show you our variety of display shingles to help you make the decision that is best for you and your home’s personal style. On that note, according to CertainTeed’s article on Home Style & Architectural Design , there are a few things to take into consideration when deciding on the perfect color for your home’s new roof: The architectural design of a structure can dictate what palettes work best to bring out the natural essence of the building. A Colonial or Victorian home style is often complimented by a more colorful palette whereas a contemporary home design will benefit from something more neutral. Take a look at your surrounding neighborhood and consider the aesthetics of nearby homes. Although it is nice to think outside the box, sometimes the palette of neighboring houses or buildings can clash if their colors do not compliment each other, and which risks your home appearing out of place. It might also be helpful to take a fixed element of your home into account. Is there a brick chimney stack on the exterior of your home? Or is there unique stone or wood work? These external features can influence your decision as well. All this being said, the most important thing to bear in mind when deciding on your roof’s color is your own personal preference and needs. Replacing and altering the color of your roof is a long term investment so it is important to choose a color palette and design that you are comfortable with, and will continue to be years down the road. Here at T-J we are committed to helping each customer make the best decision for themselves and their home. ​ Interested in visualizing your home’s new look? Check out CertainTeed’s ColorView tool, which allows you to upload images of your home and envision your future design in minutes!

Establishing trustworthy relationships with our customers is one of our top priorities at T-J Roofing. Home improvement projects can be a daunting task, which is why our goal as a licensed and insured contractor is to give you peace of mind when you choose to do business with us. T-J Roofing is a CertainTeed Governor’s Award recipient, meaning our business has been recognized for our commitment to quality workmanship, exceptional customer service, and professional development. Being awarded with this merit is no easy task - Governor’s Award recipients must first be credentialed contractors with CertainTeed for five or more years, while also maintaining a high customer satisfaction track record. In addition, they must also be recognized in their respective state for achieving a certain number of warranty sales, displaying an true understanding of CertainTeed products. This award signifies T-J Roofing’s ongoing commitment to delivering dependable, satisfactory work to you and your roof. We are a proud, CertainTeed LLC credentialed contractor serving SE Michigan and NW Ohio for 40 years. For more information please visit our CertainTeed Profile or click here to read CertainTeed’s “Why credentialing matters” blog to learn more.

"T-J Roofing & Sheet Metal LLC did an excellent job on our roof replacement. Professional, timely, and the quality of work was outstanding. Highly recommend them for any roofing needs!"