IBC – International Building Code
IRC – International Residential Code. Code is updated from time to time. Look at the year that the city or county works off.
IECC – International Energy Conservation Code
ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials
Sheathing – Flat panels of plywood or OSB particle board onto which shingles are attached. It helps to keep the rafters properly spaced and holds the entire roof together.
Drip Edge – Flashing that protects the edges of the roof and it ensures that runoff drains into the gutters and not on the fascia. Important piece of the roofing system and is now code in Colorado. Older building codes in certain cities and counties did not require it in the past as they do now. Comes in 2”x4” and 2”x2”.
Flashing – (IE: Headwall Flashing, Counter Flashing etc.) Material, usually aluminum or galvanized steel, used over joints to maintain a watertight roof. It can also come in different baked on colors.
Rake/Gable Metal Edging – Metal edging designed to finish off the edge of the roof that provides a watertight seal on a roof. It also sheds the water off the edge of the roof to protect the fascia too.
Ice & Water Shield – Roofing underlayment that provides leak protection against wind driven rain and ice. Installed at the eve of the roof. Sometimes one layer is required if the soffits are 1 foot or shorter. 2 feet of Ice & Water are required to extend up from the wall. Since I & Water is 3 feet wide, if the Soffit is being than 1 foot, 2 runs will be required by code to keep watertight.
Valley – The “V” shaped metal or also Ice & Water shield placed so that water channels are created that run up and down the ‘folds’ where roof lines meet in a “valley.” They can be Open Valley’s or Closed Valley. See below.
Open Valley – Shingles do not extend across the valley. Usually a sheet of metal is fastened to the roof deck to protect the valley.
Closed Valley – Shingles on one or both sides of the roof extend across the valley onto the adjacent roof slope. There is no metal channel that runs up the “valley.”
Kickout Flashing – Special flashing that divert water away from the cladding and into the gutter. Metal guide that is installed to channel the water flow correctly.
Chimney Crickets – A mini rake structure designed to divert water around the high side of a chimney so water does not pool.
Ridge Cap – Special tiles, usually of the same material as the rest of the roof, that cover the peak of the roof and play a critical role in maintaining a watertight roof.
Extra Shingle Layers – In the past, certain cities allowed roofers to lay new shingles OVER older shingles in layers. This practice is no longer allowed. Roofers must take off the existing shingles and replace them with new shingles.
Felt – Material that is under the shingles or other roofing materials that create an additional water barrier on your roof. Most roofers now use what is called “synthetic felt” which looks to be more durable and does not puncture as easily from hail.
Mid Roof Inspection – Where the local municipal building inspector will come out to your jobsite after you have installed a small portion of the roof to see the workmanship and materials being used. This must be approved before completion.
