Understanding Homeowner Roofing Jargon: Key Terms Explained by a Houston Roofer

1. Search Write Sign in Sign up Understanding Homeowner Roofing Jargon: Key Terms Explained by a Houston Roofer Kidd Roofing · Follow 5 min read · 5 days ago As a Houston homeowner, you should understand key roofing terms to catch potential problems early and ensure quality services from your provider. It not only prevents costly repairs from unaddressed damage growing more severe, but it also protects the structural integrity of your home. While it’s not expected for you to become a roofing expert, below is the basic jargon of your roofing system structure that you should learn from your Houston roofer. Standard Roofing Terms to Understand as a Houston Homeowner Being an educated homeowner is the best way to make informed investments for your roof. You’ll be able to understand roofing estimates and contracts more efficiently to prevent common roofing scams like storm price gouging and unnecessary service recommendations. Additionally, you can confidently hire and communicate with your contractors, especially during larger projects like new roof construction and roof replacements. Distraction-free reading. No ads. Free Membership Read member-only stories Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights. Support writers you read most Here are some standard roofing terms to learn when working with a Houston roofer. Sign up to discover human stories that deepen your understanding of the world. Earn money for your writing Tell your story. Find your audience. Listen to audio narrations Read offline with the Medium app Flashing Every roofing system is required to have flashing installed. Flashing is a material typically made of sheet metal and applied to leak-vulnerable areas of your roof. These tend to be at the joints between your skylights, chimneys, Sign up for free Try for $5/month

2. or vents. It’s designed to direct rain and other precipitation into gutters and off the roof so water doesn’t accumulate and prevent related damage. There are multiple types of flashing, and the ones required for your roof will vary: Drip Edge: Installed along the eaves, where the roof hangs over the home’s siding. It prevents water from moving under your shingles. Ridge Flashing: Installed at the highest point of your roof for attic ventilation. It prevents water intrusion by covering up ventilation areas. Step Flashing: Installed for homes with chimneys. It prevents stormwater from flowing into the areas around your chimney. Valley Flashing: Installed where the two slopes of your roof meet. It prevents water collection and penetration due to its lower position. Vent Pipe Flashing: Installed at the base of your ventilation pipes that emerge from your roof. It prevents water from seeping through these vulnerable spots. It’s important to understand what flashing is to prevent poor installation and corner-cutting from low-quality or inexperienced Houston roofers. Inadequate flashing can lead to serious water damage, including material rot, mold, and even ceiling cave-ins. Ridge A ridge is the highest point of your roofing system, but it isn’t always found on homes with flat roofs. It’s where flashing is installed to cover attic vents from water intrusion, so you know where to source potential leaks and ventilation issues when contacting a roofer for repairs. Valley As mentioned above, a roof valley is where the two planes of your roofing system meet when forming a ridge. There are two types used in homes: Open Valleys: A V-shape down the center with exposed flashing Closed Valleys: A flat shape down the center with concealed flashing Roof valleys are more vulnerable to water-related damage at the bottom due to their lower slopes. If you find standing water in these areas, you may have clogged gutters as they’re connected to them. Free Membership Gutters and Downspouts Distraction-free reading. No ads. Read member-only stories You know what gutters are. But do you know how they differ from downspouts? While they’re both water drainage systems, gutters are installed horizontally along the roof’s edges, while downspouts are vertical. Sign up to discover human stories that deepen your understanding of the world. Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights. Support writers you read most Earn money for your writing Tell your story. Find your audience. Listen to audio narrations Understanding their different functionalities ensures that stormwater is directed away from your home at all angles and where to catch potential clogs before mold, mildew, and other common related issues form. Read offline with the Medium app Soffit

3. Soffit is a material that lines the underside of your roof’s overhang (eaves) horizontally. It connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. Soffit can be made with various materials, such as fiber cement and wood, and can come perforated or vented to help air circulate. Its function is to promote proper ventilation as it covers parts of your attic. Soffit prevents your home from overheating and decreasing energy efficiency during hotter seasons while reducing condensation buildup during colder months. Understanding what soffit is helps you identify potential circulation issues before they cause structural damage, like mold and ice dams. Additionally, because it’s a natural barrier, it blocks pest infestation in your attic, which increases the risks of this if it becomes damaged. Fascia Fascia is the vertical board along your roof’s edges. Similar to soffit, which is horizontal, fascia is also connected to your gutters to support your roofing system’s water drainage. It secures your gutters in place and forms a barrier to prevent water intrusion and pest infestation. Shingles You’re probably familiar with what shingles are as a homeowner. It’s a common roofing material used for homes with different variations of asphalt materials. The three types of asphalt shingles are: Three-Tab Shingles: Also known as standard, it’s the lightest shingle with three tabs on each strip. It’s the most cost-effective shingle with an average lifespan of 25 years. Architectural Shingles: Also known as laminated or dimensional, it’s a heavier shingle with multiple layers of fiberglass, ceramic coating mineral granules, and asphalt mix. It has an average lifespan of 30 years. Luxury Shingles: Also known as premium, it’s the thickest, heaviest, and most expensive shingle type. It’s made of asphalt and often resembles slate or wood shake roofs for added curb appeal, with an average lifespan of 30 years. Your shingles are among the first line of defense in your roofing system as they’re exposed to the outdoor elements. Knowing the differences in these shingle types is key to being aware of when it’s the end of their material lifespans and the time to replace them. Free Membership Hire a Reputable Houston Roofer for Your Home with Kidd Roofing Distraction-free reading. No ads. Read member-only stories Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights. Support writers you read most Now that you understand standard roofing industry terms, you may have discovered potential signs of damage. Don’t wait until it’s too late to address them. deepen your understanding of the world. Earn money for your writing Tell your story. Find your audience. Sign up to discover human stories that Listen to audio narrations Read offline with the Medium app At Kidd Roofing, we have over 35 years of experience servicing the Dallas communities. We offer tailored recommendations to preserve your roof’s

4. lifespan with our local expertise. Whether you have existing damage or vulnerabilities, we’ve got you covered–literally. Learn more about our Houston roofing services or schedule an inspection today! Written by Kidd Roofing Follow 0 Followers · 1 Following Kidd Roofing is a Texas roofing company with offices in Austin, Denver CO, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. No responses yet Write a response What are your thoughts? Help Status About Careers Press Blog Privacy Terms Text to speech Teams Free Membership Distraction-free reading. No ads. Read member-only stories Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights. Support writers you read most Earn money for your writing Tell your story. Find your audience. Sign up to discover human stories that deepen your understanding of the world. Listen to audio narrations Read offline with the Medium app