E,F,

Dictionary of Roofing Terms

If you would like to add a term to the list please feel free to e-mail us by clicking on the link above and we will add it for you.

Eave: A roof edge that extends out past the exterior wall line. (See Fig 1)

Eaves-Trough: Another name for Gutter.

Edge Stripping: Roofing material used to seal perimeter edge metal and the roof itself.

Edge Venting: The installation of vent material along a roof edge (e.g., Starter Vent) as part of a ventilation system. Edge vent material should be used in conjunction with other venting material (e.g., ridge vent), as it not intended for use by itself.

EER: Energy Efficiency Ratio; is worked out by dividing BTU hours by Watts

Elastomer: A material, which, after being stretched, will return to its original shape.

Elastomeric: Properties of a material that will permit it to return to its original shape after being stretched.

Elastomeric Coating: A coating that can be stretched to twice its dimensions and that will return to original when tension is released.

Elongation: The ability of a material to be stretched or lengthened.

Embedment: In roofing, to uniformly press one material into another, such as aggregate into bitumen, roofing felt into bitumen, or granules into a coating.

End Lap: The extension of one component of material past the end of an adjacent piece of material.

Envelope: A continuous seal for preventing bitumen from leaking down into or off a building. Is constructed by extending the base sheet or other non-porous ply of felt beyond the edge of the field plies. It is then turned back onto the top of the system and adhered. See also Bitumen-Stop.

EPDM: See Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer.

Epichlorohydrin (ECH): A synthetic rubber material similar to EPDM with a stronger resistance to animal fats and oils than EPDM.

Epoxy: A type of synthetic, thermosetting resins that produce tough, hard, chemical-resistant coatings and adhesives.

Equipment Screen: A non-structural wall or screen constructed around rooftop equipment such as HVAC units, curbs, etc. to hide the look of the equipment and make the structure more aesthetically pleasing.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM): A thermoplastic rubber with high tear strength that can be cross-linked by both peroxides and sulphur.

Exhaust Vent: A device used to vent air from the roof cavity with vents that are installed on or near the higher portions of the roof such as the ridge.

Expansion Cleat: A cleat designed to handle thermal movement of the metal roof panels.

Expansion Coefficient: The amount that a specific material will vary in one dimension with a change of temperature.

Expansion Joint: A built-in separation between building sections to allow for free movement between the sections without damaging the buildings structural components.

Factory Seam: A splice/seam made in the roofing material by the manufacturer. It is preferable during installation to cut these splices out of the membrane.

Fading: Losing brightness or brilliance: dim

Fall: The amount of pitch a roof has

Fascia: Vertical roof trim located along the perimeter of a building, usually below the roof level. Its use can be either decorative or for waterproofing.

Fasteners: A general term covering a wide variety of screws and nails used to secure roof system components.

Felt: A roofing sheet made of interwoven fibres. The fibres can be wood or vegetable for Organic Felts, glass fibres for fibreglass felts, polyester, or asbestos.

Felt Machine: A machine that will install bitumen and felt at the same time.

Ferrule: A metal sleeve used as a spacer to keep gutter from being beat up when secured to fascia with spikes.

Fibreglass Insulation: Insulation composed of glass fibres used to insulate walls and roofs. It can be rigid board or blanket insulation.

Field of the Roof: Refers to the central part of a roof away from the perimeter.

Field Seam: A non-factory material seam made by joining overlapping seams together with adhesives, heat welders, or other means.

Filler: An inert ingredient added to roofing materials in order to alter their physical characteristics.

Fillet: A sealant material installed at horizontal and vertical planes to remove 90° angles.

Fin: A sharp protrusion in a roof deck that can damage roof components.

Flame Retardant: A substance used to impede a material’s tendency to burn or ignite.

Flammability: The ability of a material to burn or ignite.

Flange: A projection edge of a roof component such as flashings, skylight frames, pre-manufactured curbs, etc. Usually refers to the part that sits on the roof surface.

Flash: v. To install flashing components.

Flash Point: The lowest temperature of a liquid material at which combustion will occur when air reaches its surface.

Flashing: Components used to seal the roof system at areas where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated. For example, pipes, curbs, walls, etc. all have special components that, when correctly installed, will help prevent moisture entry into the roof system or building.

Flashing Collar: A flashing component used to seal soil pipe vents, hot stacks or other roof penetrations.

Flat Lock: A type of interlocking two separate metal panels by folding one panel over on top itself and the folding the other down under itself and then hooking the panels together.

Flat Roof: Commonly used name for a low pitched roof (a perfectly flat roof would not drain). Usually 5° - 15° after which it is classed as a pitched roof.

Fleece: Mats or felts used as a membrane backer and composed of fibres.

Flood Test: A water test performed to determine the effectiveness of a roof covering.

Flow: To become fluid in character.

Fluid-Applied Elastomer: A liquid elastomeric material that cures to form a continuous waterproofing membrane.

Foam Stop: The edge metal used to terminate Sprayed Polyurethane Foam.

Framed Opening: a structurally framed opening in a roof of a building for use in installing large items such as HVAC units, skylights, or ventilators.

Fully Adhered: A completely attached (adhered) roof membrane.

Although these pages are checked regularly and every care is taken with the information within. Delston can not accept any responsibility or liability for information or results displayed within due to third party interference.

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