Roof truss

More roofing & materials terms

• Roof penetration

  Any object passing through the roof plane, vent stacks, pipes, skylights, chimneys. IRC R903.2 requires all penetrations to be flashed. Boots and flashings around penetrations are frequent storm-damage items.

• Roof square

  100 square feet of roof surface, the standard unit for measuring and pricing roofs.

• Roofing sealant

  A flexible caulk or sealant applied at flashings, penetrations, and edges to keep water out. Estimates generally show it as its own line item rather than bundling it into shingle or flashing labor. Workmanship warranties cover how it is applied, not the product alone.

• Roofing square

  One hundred square feet of roof surface, the unit roofers use for ordering material and pricing labor. A square usually takes three bundles of shingles, though that varies by product. Measure in squares first, then convert to bundles.

• Scupper

  An opening through a parapet wall that lets water drain off a flat or low-slope roof. It is usually a line item on the estimate, and keeping it clear of debris is part of the repair. Blocked scuppers are a common cause of ponding and interior leaks.

• Sheathing

  Another name for roof decking, the structural surface under the roof covering.

Common questions