Roofing Glossary

The most popular residential roofing material in North America. Made of a fiberglass mat saturated with asphalt and coated with weather-resistant mineral granules. Pittsabana installs premium CertainTeed Landmark and Owens Corning Duration series shingles designed for 130 MPH wind resistance.

Rigid plastic or foam channels installed between rafter bays in the attic space. They prevent blown-in insulation from blocking soffit intake vents, ensuring continuous airflow across the roof deck.

A system of intake vents (under the eaves or soffits) and exhaust vents (at the ridge or roof peaks) that creates a continuous flow of air through the attic. Essential in Pittsburgh's humid summers and freezing winters to prevent heat buildup and ice dams.

The decorative or protective board attached to the projecting gable end of a roof structure. It conceals rafter ends and protects the roof edge from wind-driven rain.

Historic rain gutters built directly into the roof's framing or rafter tails, common in older Pittsburgh homes (Victorian, Craftsman). Unlike modern aluminum gutters, box gutters require custom wood framing and lining with metal (copper, tin) or EPDM membrane to prevent structural rot.

A heavyweight dual-layered architectural asphalt shingle featuring Max Def color technology, StreakFighter® algae resistance, and 15-year SureStart™ PLUS non-prorated warranty protection.

An elite contractor credential awarded by CertainTeed. It requires rigorous testing on shingle technology, installation standards, and business ethics. This credential allows Pittsabana to offer exclusive SureStart™ PLUS extended warranties.

The process of scraping out deteriorated mortar joints between bricks on a chimney and packing them with fresh mortar. Regular repointing keeps water from leaking into your attic and prevents structural brick failure.

Single-ply rubber (EPDM) or thermoplastic (TPO) membranes heat-welded or adhered over low-slope commercial roofs. They provide seamless watertight protection for industrial buildings, apartments, and commercial plazas.

Metal flashing embedded into brick or masonry mortar joints that laps down over step flashing. It provides a watertight secondary barrier preventing water from creeping behind wall intersections.

The structural wood boards (usually plywood or OSB) nailed to the roof rafters that create a flat surface for installing underlayment and shingles. Rotting decking must be completely replaced during a roof replacement to ensure structural integrity.

Vertical pipes connected to gutters that channel collected rainwater down to ground level and discharge it at least 5 to 10 feet away from the home's foundation to prevent basement flooding.

An L-shaped metal flashing installed along the edges of the roof (eaves and rakes). It directs water away from the fascia boards and into the gutters, preventing rot at the lower edges of the roof deck.

The horizontal lower edge of a roof that overhangs the exterior wall. Eaves support gutters and protect the house walls and foundation from water dripping off the roof.

The vertical wooden board running along the roofline where gutters are mounted. It covers the rafter ends and protects the interior roof structure from rain and moisture.

A durable siding material made of sand, cement, and cellulose fibers. It mimics the appearance of wood but offers complete resistance to fire, rot, termites, and cracking. Pittsabana installs premium James Hardie fiber cement siding.

Thin pieces of impervious material (usually aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel) installed around roof intersections, chimney bases, and valleys. It channels water away from joints where leaks are most likely to occur.

A protective cover installed over gutters to filter out leaves, twigs, and debris while allowing rainwater to flow freely. Crucial for homes in heavily wooded Pittsburgh suburbs to prevent gutter clogs and water damage.

Flexible monthly payment and financing options offered by Pittsabana through Hearth. Allows qualifying Pittsburgh homeowners to fund roof replacements with zero down payment and low APRs.

Specialized thick, pre-bent shingles installed over the high points (hips and ridges) where sloping roof sections intersect, creating a clean architectural finish and watertight ridge seal.

A breathable membrane installed over exterior wood sheathing prior to siding. It blocks liquid water from penetrating into the walls while allowing moisture vapor from inside the home to escape.

A self-adhering, waterproofing underlayment installed at critical leak areas (eaves, valleys, chimneys). It forms a watertight seal around nail penetrations, protecting the roof deck from ice damming and wind-driven rain.

Rims of ice that form at the eaves of a roof when melting snow refreezes. Ice dams prevent water from draining, causing water to pool and back up under shingles into the attic and living quarters.

The most common profile for modern residential gutters. They feature a decorative curved outer face resembling crown molding. Typically fabricated on-site in seamless aluminum to eliminate joints that leak.

The portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior building wall line, offering shade and shielding walls from rain.

An elite contractor designation granted by Owens Corning to contractors demonstrating high standards of installation craftsmanship, verified customer satisfaction, and active licensing and insurance.

A premium architectural asphalt shingle engineered with patented SureNail® Technology — a tough woven fabric nailing zone that delivers exceptional 130 MPH wind uplift resistance.

The steepness of a roof calculated as vertical rise in inches over a 12-inch horizontal run (e.g., 4/12 or 10/12 pitch). Steep pitches require specialized rigging and safety equipment.

Non-prorated warranties cover 100% of material and labor replacement costs without depreciation over the coverage period. Prorated warranties reduce payout value as the roof ages.

A continuous vent installed along the peak (ridge) of the roof. It is covered with specialized cap shingles to blend in seamlessly while allowing hot, humid air to escape the attic space naturally.

Rain gutters custom-extruded on-site from continuous aluminum coils without seam joints. Because seams are where gutters leak, seamless gutters provide superior leak prevention.

The exposed underside of the roof eaves. Soffit panels are often perforated (vented) to draw cool outdoor air into the attic, serving as the intake phase of a balanced ventilation system.

The cracking, flaking, or popping off of brick outer surfaces. Caused when water penetrates soft bricks and freezes, or when hard Portland mortar forces soft bricks to break under thermal expansion.

A standard unit of measurement in roofing equal to 100 square feet of roof area (10 ft x 10 ft). Standard residential roofs in Pittsburgh range between 15 and 30 squares.

Pre-cut, adhesive-backed shingle strips installed along eaves and rake edges before the first course of shingles. They lock down shingle edges against wind uplift and seal water entry points.

L-shaped metal strips installed where a sloping roof meets a vertical wall or chimney. Step flashing is woven incrementally into each course of shingles to step water down the roofline safely.

The emergency inspection, tarping, and full roof replacement executed following severe windstorms, hail, ice dams, or fallen tree limbs, often covered under home insurance policies.

CertainTeed's highest-tier extended warranty, only installable by certified contractors. It covers 100% of material, labor, tear-off, and disposal costs for up to 50 years, with non-prorated protection.

A high-tech engineered polypropylene roof underlayment that is far lighter, tougher, and more water-resistant than traditional asphalt felt paper.

The complete removal of all existing roofing materials down to the bare wooden deck before a new installation. A full tear-off is the only way to inspect the deck for hidden wood rot and ensure a flat foundation.

Modern, high-strength mortar mixes containing Portland cement. Best suited for modern brickwork and load-bearing walls. However, they are too hard for historic brick restorations and will crack old bricks.

Low-strength, highly flexible mortars with high lime content. Essential for historic masonry restoration. Because historic bricks are soft, these soft mortars allow walls to expand and contract without damaging the bricks.

A protective barrier installed directly on the wood decking beneath shingles. Standard synthetic underlayment provides water-resistance and serves as a secondary layer of protection against wind-blown rain.

The V-shaped angle formed where two sloping roof sections meet. Valleys carry high volumes of water runoff and require heavy-duty metal flashing or self-adhered ice & water shields to prevent leaks.

Exterior cladding manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Low-maintenance, cost-effective, and available in insulated profiles to enhance home thermal efficiency.