Roofing Materials Key Terms

Learn roofing material vocabulary to make an informed decision

By Shannon Tani

A building's roof is an incredibly important part of the structure and the materials you use can have a bit effect on the roof's effectiveness. For example, waterproofing and winterizing would be an important aspect for homes build in the Northeast, where they get a lot of snow, but not so essential for homes located in the Southwest, where the climate is warm and dry. Learn some of the most vital words that are associated with roofing materials.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular types of roofing materials. Made of asphalt, they are inexpensive, easy to use and come in a range of styles.
Try: Look to Bob Vila to learn more about asphalt shingles, including how to choose them and what to watch out for.

Metal roofing

Roofs made of metal, called metal roofing, are stronger than asphalt roofs. In the past, people were hesitant to use metal roofing because it lacked aesthetic appeal. However, these days, metal roofing is made to look much like the more traditional asphalt shingles.
Try: See some pictures of metal roofing styles from the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Rubber roofing

Rubber roofing is an environmentally friendly roofing material, typically made from used tires. It is low maintenance and durable. You can purchase rubber roofing in a number of styles to suit your home or office building.
Try: See some pictures of rubber roofing from RuBBur Concepts, along with some of the reasons to choose rubber.

Waterproofing and winterizing

Depending on the weather conditions in your area, you may need to waterproof or winterize your roof. All areas need waterproof roofs, which prevents water from coming inside the house. However, areas with a long rainy season should take extra precautions. A roof that has been winterized will keep the building warm.
Try: Learn more about waterproofing and winterizing a roof from DoItYourself.com.

Roof underlayment

The roof underlayment is an added layer of protection located directly underneath the visible roof. This acts as a weather barrier, preventing leaking and regulating the temperature inside.
Try: ToolBase Services describes synthetic roof underlayment.

Pitch

The pitch is the angle at which the roof slopes. This is important to know when selecting roofing materials because it can effect the amount of materials that you purchase.
Try: Learn how to calculate the pitch of a roof through RoofGenius.