AL Roofing Contractor key terms

A roofing unit made of a fiberglass or organic mat coated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules, installed in overlapping courses to shed water.

A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet, used to order shingles, underlayment, and other materials and to express job size in estimates.

A percentage added to calculated material quantities to cover cutting, overlaps, breakage, and error, commonly 10 percent for simple roofs and more for complex layouts.

The process of measuring and listing every material and quantity needed for a project from the plans and specifications before pricing the work.

A written description of what the contractor will and will not perform on a project, used to define obligations and prevent disputes over missing items.

A written agreement signed by the owner and contractor that modifies the original contract price, schedule, or scope after work has begun.

A legal claim recorded against a property by a contractor or supplier who was not paid for labor or materials furnished to improve that property.

A written notice sent early in a project to the owner and lender warning that the sender may later file a lien if unpaid, preserving lien rights.

The slope of a roof expressed as the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run, such as 4:12 for four inches of rise per twelve inches of run.

The incline of a roof surface, often stated in degrees or as rise over run, which determines which roofing materials and underlayments are permitted.

A roof with a slope generally at or below about 3:12, requiring membrane or built-up systems rather than standard shingle application methods.

A sloped framing member that runs from the ridge or eave to support roof sheathing and carries roof loads down to walls or beams.

The horizontal framing member at the peak of a roof to which the upper ends of opposing rafters are attached.

The sloping external edge where two adjacent roof planes meet, running from the eave up to the ridge or to another hip.

The internal angle where two sloping roof planes meet, forming a channel that concentrates water flow and requires special flashing and underlayment.

The structural surface that spans the framing and supports underlayment and roofing, commonly plywood, oriented strand board, or plank sheathing.

The panel or board material fastened over framing to form a solid base for roofing or siding and to stiffen the structure.

A sheet material laid over the roof deck beneath the finished roofing to provide a secondary water barrier and separate the roofing from the deck.

A self-adhering waterproof sheet installed along eaves and in valleys to prevent water backed up by ice from entering the roof assembly.

Metal or other material installed at roof intersections, penetrations, and edges to direct water away from joints and prevent leakage.

L-shaped metal pieces woven in courses along a sidewall or chimney so each piece laps the one below, shedding water over the roofing.

Metal embedded in or attached to a wall or chimney above the roof that overlaps the base flashing to keep water from entering behind it.

Metal installed along eaves and rakes that projects beyond the roof edge so runoff drips clear of the fascia and deck.

The finished board or metal attached to the ends of rafters or trusses along the roof edge, supporting gutters and closing the eave.

The underside surface of an eave or overhang, often vented to allow air into the attic for ventilation.

The intentional movement of air through intake and exhaust vents to remove heat and moisture from the attic space beneath a roof.

A material that resists the passage of water vapor, placed to keep moisture from condensing inside roof and wall assemblies.

A large sheet of synthetic rubber or plastic, such as EPDM or TPO, used to cover low-slope roofs with seamed joints.

An asphalt-based sheet roofing reinforced with polymer modifiers and applied in layers, often used on low-slope roofs.

Systems and practices such as guardrails, personal fall arrest, or warning lines used to prevent workers from falling from roofs and edges.

Gear such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and harnesses worn by workers to reduce exposure to job-site hazards.

The OSHA-required program of labels, safety data sheets, and training that informs workers about chemical hazards on the job.

A worker designated by the employer who is capable of identifying hazards and has authority to take prompt corrective action.

Official authorization issued by a local agency allowing construction or reroofing work to proceed, subject to inspections and code compliance.

A document issued by the local authority confirming that a completed building or alteration meets applicable codes and may be used as intended.

Meeting the requirements of adopted building, fire, energy, and safety codes that govern materials, methods, and inspections for the work performed.

The written installation requirements published by a product maker, which must be followed to keep warranties valid and often to satisfy code.

A written promise by a manufacturer or contractor about the performance or durability of materials or workmanship, with stated limits and conditions.

A percentage of each payment withheld by the owner until the project is substantially complete, held as security for unfinished or defective work.

A partial payment made to the contractor based on the value of work completed during a billing period, usually supported by an application for payment.

The employer's deduction and remittance of income tax and required contributions from employee wages as mandated by law.

A worker who controls how the work is done and is not treated as an employee for tax and payroll purposes under applicable tests.

A credential issued by a state or local authority that authorizes a business to perform and bid roofing work within its jurisdiction.

A surety guarantee submitted with a bid that obligates the surety to pay the owner if the winning bidder fails to enter the contract.

A surety guarantee that backs the contractor's promise to complete the work according to the contract terms.