Re-roof

More roofing & materials terms

• Rake

  The sloping outer edge of a gable roof from the ridge down to the eaves. Drip edge is required along rakes as well as eaves, per IRC R905.2.8.5.

• Rake edge

  The sloped edge of a roof where the gable meets the shingles, running from eave to ridge. It takes its own trim, starter, and fasteners, so measure rake length separately from eave length or the material order and the estimate will both come up short.

• Reglet

  A groove cut into masonry or concrete that a counterflashing edge is inserted into, so water running down the wall cannot get behind the roof flashing. It is frequently missed in a scope, so measure and photograph it before tear-off, especially on brick or block walls.

• Ridge cap

  The material covering the peak where two roof slopes meet, sealing the joint against water. It is sold and priced by the linear foot, and most shingle systems use a matching ridge product instead of field shingles turned sideways.

• Ridge vent

  Ventilation installed along the roof peak to let hot air escape, cut to length and fastened along the ridge line.

• Roof cement

  A thick, trowel-grade adhesive used to seal flashings, patches, and small repairs where caulk alone will not hold. In estimates it is a line item and a material, so where it is used belongs in the scope notes. Whether it is owed as a separate item depends on the carrier, so document it.

Common questions