Most homeowners are going to talk with a residential roofing contractor at some point. To get the most out of working with a residential roofing company, you need to have a basic understanding of the industry's terminology. Here are some roofing terms you should know to improve those conversations.

Decking and Underlayment 

The roofing materials have to attach to something. With a shingle system, for example, the roofers usually install plywood or oriented strand board to the trusses, beams, and rafters. They then nail an underlayment material like felt to provide a vapor barrier to the plywood. Finally, they lay the shingles over the underlayment and nail the shingles into place.

Ridge Vent

If you're not using a powered ventilation system on the roof, the ridge vent is the best way to cool the house and let out moisture. A roof's ridge is a straight line at the peak. By adding a small gap at the ridge, the design allows convection to pull heat and humidity out of the house. Even in arid regions, this is critical to preventing mold from accumulating.

Pitch or Slope

The staff at a residential roofing company may use the terms "pitch" and "slope" interchangeably. Both refer to how steep the roof is. Generally, a greater pitch makes a roof harder to work on. Roofing firms end up using roof jacks, planks, and other equipment to keep their people, gear, and materials on highly sloped roofs.

Soffit and Fascia

These two terms refer to the roof's overhang. The soffit is the exposed portion of the overhang. Many ventilation systems open into this area to promote attic air flow. Fascia is the board that goes along the roof's edge. It serves the aesthetic purpose of drawing a line between the roof and the rest of the house. Also, fascia can keep water and debris from blowing into the ventilated space.

Valleys and Dormers

A valley is the "V" that appears wherever two perpendicular segments of the roof come together. If you have an L-shaped house with an otherwise simple roof, there would be one valley in the elbow of the "L." Valleys require roofers to make more complex cuts to the materials, increasing costs.

Dormers are parts of the house that jut into the roof. For example, many upstairs rooms have windows that protrude above the roof line. Roofers have to be careful around dormers to maintain the home's overall appearance. Once more, this leads to complex cuts to materials.

Contact a local residential roofing company to learn more.