Wear Pattern

More roofing & materials terms

• Vapor Barrier

  A vapor barrier blocks moisture vapor from moving into a roof or wall assembly, and in roofing it is usually a membrane or underlayment layer. Replacing or disturbing it can be its own line item, and whether it is required depends on local code and the assembly, so photograph what was there.

• Ventilation

  The intake-and-exhaust system that keeps the attic cool and dry, required by code in most areas.

• Weathering vs Damage

  Weathering is the gradual breakdown of a roof from sun, rain and temperature swings, while damage is a distinct event such as hail or wind. The two look alike, so a claim leans on the date of loss, matching damage on other slopes and test squares, because carriers argue weathering where the evidence is thin.

• Wind damage

  Roofing damage from wind uplift, lifted shingles, exposed nail heads, and torn flashing.

• Wind Speed Rating

  A wind speed rating is the maximum wind a product is tested to withstand, shown on shingle, panel and fastener literature as a rated speed. Carriers and code officials may require a rated product or a specific fastening pattern in high-wind areas, so keep the product literature and fastening detail in the claim file.

• Wind Uplift

  Wind uplift is the suction wind puts on a roof as it passes over, pulling at edges, corners and field shingles instead of pushing down. That is why fastening at the perimeter, the corners and the ridge matters more than field fastening - corners see the highest uplift - and why edge-only damage can raise questions about whether the roof was installed to code.

Common questions