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Roofing Glossary for Texas Homeowners
This glossary defines 48 common roofing terms in plain language, from decking and drip edge to hail bruising and tear-off, so you can read an estimate, follow an inspection, and talk to any contractor with confidence. Terms are grouped by how a roof is actually built and inspected.
Reviewed July 8, 2026
12 terms
Roof Structure & Anatomy
Decking (sheathing)
The structural wood panels, usually plywood or OSB, fastened to the rafters or trusses that everything else on the roof is built on. Rotten or delaminated decking must be replaced during a reroof.
Rafter
A sloped structural framing member running from the ridge to the eave that supports the deck. Stick-framed roofs use rafters; many newer homes use trusses.
Truss
A pre-engineered triangular framework that supports the roof deck and spans the walls. Trusses are not to be cut or altered without an engineer.
Ridge
The horizontal line at the very top of a roof where two slopes meet. It is capped with ridge shingles and is a common location for exhaust ventilation.
Hip
The external angle where two roof slopes meet and run down to a corner. Hip roofs shed wind well and have no vertical gable end.
Valley
The internal angle where two roof slopes meet and channel water downward. Valleys carry heavy water flow and are a frequent leak point if flashed poorly.
Eave
The lower edge of the roof that overhangs the exterior wall. Eaves carry the gutter and the drip edge.
Rake
The sloped edge of a roof at a gable end, running from eave to ridge.
Fascia
The flat board along the eave and rake that closes off the rafter ends and carries the gutter.
Soffit
The underside of the roof overhang between the fascia and the wall. Vented soffit is the primary intake point for attic ventilation.
Pitch (slope)
The steepness of a roof, expressed as vertical rise over 12 inches of horizontal run (for example 6:12). Pitch drives material choice, walkability, and water shedding.
Square
The roofing unit of measure equal to 100 square feet of roof area. Materials and labor are commonly priced per square.
9 terms
Coverings & Materials
Three-tab shingle
A flat, single-layer asphalt shingle with a uniform look. Largely superseded in Texas by architectural shingles because of lower wind and impact performance.
Architectural (dimensional) shingle
A multi-layer asphalt shingle with a thicker, textured profile, higher wind ratings, and longer warranties than three-tab. The most common residential choice in Central Texas.
Impact-resistant shingle (Class 4)
A shingle that passes the UL 2218 steel-ball impact test at the highest level, Class 4. In Texas these often qualify for insurer premium discounts when documented.
UL 2218
The steel-ball drop standard that rates a shingle's impact resistance from Class 1 to Class 4. Class 4 is the top rating.
Standing-seam metal
A metal roof system with raised, interlocking vertical seams and concealed fasteners. Durable and low-maintenance, with a higher upfront cost.
Exposed-fastener metal
A metal panel system screwed directly through the face of the panel. Lower cost than standing seam; the exposed screws and washers need periodic inspection.
Concrete or clay tile
Heavy, long-life roofing common on some Texas homes. Requires adequate structural support and careful flashing detail.
Low-slope membrane (TPO, modified bitumen)
Single-ply or rolled systems used on flat and low-slope roofs where shingles cannot shed water reliably. Common on patios, additions, and commercial buildings.
Granules
The mineral coating on asphalt shingles that shields the asphalt from UV and adds fire and impact resistance. Heavy granule loss is a sign of age or hail bruising.
9 terms
Underlayment, Flashing & Water Control
Underlayment
The layer installed over the decking and under the shingles. Synthetic underlayment has largely replaced felt for its tear resistance and consistency.
Ice-and-water shield
A self-adhering waterproof membrane applied in valleys, at eaves, and around penetrations to block wind-driven water and backup.
Drip edge
A metal flashing installed along eaves and rakes that directs runoff into the gutter and away from the fascia. Required by most current codes.
Step flashing
Individual metal pieces woven into the shingle courses where a roof slope meets a wall, so water steps down and out rather than behind the siding.
Counter flashing
Flashing set into or over a wall that covers the top edge of step or base flashing, sealing the wall-to-roof transition.
Apron (base) flashing
Flashing at the base of a wall or chimney on the downslope side that carries water onto the shingles.
Kick-out flashing
A small diverter at the bottom of a wall-to-roof junction that kicks water away from the wall and into the gutter. A commonly missed detail that causes hidden wall rot.
Pipe boot (jack)
The flashing collar that seals around a plumbing vent or other round penetration. Cracked rubber boots are one of the most common leak sources.
Valley metal
Metal lining installed in a valley to carry concentrated water flow. Open-metal valleys are durable and easy to inspect.
5 terms
Ventilation
Ridge vent
An exhaust vent running along the ridge that lets hot attic air escape at the highest point.
Soffit vent
An intake vent in the underside of the eave that pulls cooler air into the attic. Intake must be present for exhaust to work.
Box (off-ridge) vent
A static exhaust vent set below the ridge, used where a continuous ridge vent is not practical.
Balanced ventilation
A ventilation system with roughly equal intake (soffit) and exhaust (ridge) so air moves continuously through the attic. Imbalance shortens shingle life and raises energy costs.
Baffle
A channel installed at the eave that keeps insulation from blocking soffit intake airflow.
7 terms
Storm & Damage
Hail bruise
A soft, often circular spot where hail has fractured the shingle mat beneath the granules. Bruises are felt more than seen and are a key storm-damage indicator.
Spatter mark
A light, cleaned-off spot on a surface where hail struck. Spatter helps date and size a hail event but is not itself shingle damage.
Wind uplift
The lifting force of wind on shingles or panels. Uplift can crease, loosen, or tear off roofing, especially at edges and ridges.
Creasing
A visible fold line across a shingle that was lifted by wind and folded back. Creased shingles have a broken seal and reduced life.
Blistering
Small raised bubbles in a shingle surface, usually from trapped moisture or poor ventilation, not from impact.
Ponding
Standing water that does not drain off a low-slope roof within a couple of days. Ponding accelerates membrane failure.
Granule loss
Loss of the protective mineral surface, from age, foot traffic, or hail. Bare asphalt weathers quickly once exposed.
6 terms
Process & Documentation
Tear-off
Removing the existing roofing down to the deck before installing new material. Preferred over an overlay because it lets the crew inspect and repair the deck.
Overlay (reroof)
Installing new shingles over the existing layer. Faster and cheaper, but it hides deck problems and is limited by code to one additional layer.
Re-decking
Replacing damaged or non-compliant roof decking during a reroof.
Field record
A dated, photo-based written record of a roof's actual condition. The Roof Shepherd produces field records as factual documentation, not as an insurance document.
Permit
The municipal authorization to perform roofing work. Requirements vary by city and county in Texas.
Punch list (final walk)
The end-of-job review where remaining items are identified and corrected, and the site is checked for debris and stray fasteners.
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