Serving the Portland Metro Area
educating clients so they can make the best decision
As a roof contractor in Portland, Trademark Roofing works to educate their clients so they can make the best decision for their situation and budget. We encourage them to ask questions when they don't understand and welcome their input.
Need a roof replacement and not sure what headlap or woven valleys are? Have no fear! Trademark Roofing hopes to clarify some of the confusion by supplying you with this glossary of the most commonly used roofing terms.
We want you to understand the methods and materials being used on your Portland home or business.
- Glossary of Terms -
Back-Nailing:
The method of fastening the back or upper side of a ply of roofing felt or other component in a roof system so that the fasteners are covered by the following ply.
Counter flashing:
Formed metal sheeting secured to walls, curbs, or other surfaces, for use in protecting the top edge of base flashings from exposure to weather
Cutout:
The open area between shingle tabs (sometimes called a throat).
Dimensional Shingle:
A shingle that is textured, or laminated to produce a three-dimensional effect (sometimes called Laminated or Architectural Shingles).
There are also shingles being produced that can be classified as Dimensional but not as Laminated and these are comprised of a single piece of material rather than two different materials laminated together.
Edge:
Stripping: Roofing material used to seal perimeter edge metal and the roof itself.
Equipment Screen:
A nonstructural wall or screen constructed around rooftop equipment such as HVAC units, curbs, etc. to hide the look of the equipment and make the structure more aesthetically pleasing.
Exposed-Nail Method:
A method of installing roofing materials to where all nails/fasteners are visible and exposed to the elements.
Feathering Strips:
Strips of wood that are placed along the butt ends of wood shingles to form a somewhat smooth surface so that the shingles can be roofed over without removal.
Flashing:
Components or materials used to seal the roof system at areas where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated. For example, pipes, curbs, walls, etc. all have special components that, when correctly installed, will help prevent moisture from entering into the roof system or building.
Fasteners:
Nails or staples used in securing roofing to the deck.
Felt:
A roofing sheet made of interwoven fibers. The fibers can be wood or vegetable for Organic Felts, glass fibers for fiberglass felts, polyester, or asbestos.
Hand-Tabbing:
Applying spots of adhesive to shingle tabs.
Headlap:
The distance the topmost ply of roofing felt overlaps the undermost ply.
Interlayment:
A waterproof material usually installed between adjacent rows of wood shakes to aid in the roof's waterproofing characteristics.
Interlocking Shingles:
Shingles that lock together to provide wind resistance.
Lap Seam:
Where two materials that overlap are sealed together.
Nesting:
To overlay existing shingles with new shingles and butt the top edge of the new shingle up against the bottom edge of the existing shingles.
Open valley:
Valley installation using metal down the valley center (also called valley metal).
Positive Drainage:
The drainage condition of a roof where all water is gone from the roof surface within forty-eight hours of precipitation during normal drying conditions.
Ridge Cap:
Material applied over the ridge or hip of a roof.
Self-Sealing Shingle:
Asphalt shingles with adhesive strips that will soften and stick to the following course of shingles when heated by the sun; used to help against wind uplift.
Shingle:
(1) A single piece of prepared roofing material, either asphalt or wood, for use in steep slope roof systems.
(2) To install a wood or asphalt shingle roof system.
Spud:
To remove the top surfacing of a roof by scraping it with special tools called spud bars or power spudders.
Strip Shingles:
Asphalt shingles that are manufactured in strips
Underlayments:
Asphalt based rolled materials designed to be installed under main roofing material, to serve as added protection.
Valleys:
Area where two adjoining sloped roof planes intersect on a roof creating a "V" shaped depression.
Water Guard:
A turned up edge on valley metal or continuous wall flashing; used to prevent water migration under the roof system.
Water Stop:
Material placed over a joint and used to prevent water entry.
Woven Valleys:
The method of installing valleys by laying one shingle over the other up the valley center.
customer testimonials
"After a big storm hit the coast, the roof Trademark installed was one of the few left that didn't get torn off. Everyone was asking for their phone number after that!"
"Mark and his crew did a great job. Always on time and provided a quality roof for a cost-effective price."
"With so many roof choices out there, it was hard to know what to pick. But Mark's knowledge of the benefits and types of roofing materials helped us make a great decision for our budget."