1. Asphalt – A bituminous waterproofing agent applied to the roofing materials during manufacturing.
2. Blisters – Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt shingles.  Usually due to improper ventilation.
3. Deck (Decking) – The surface to which the shingles are applied. Common types of decking are plywood and wood shingles.
4. Downspout – A pipe for draining water from roof gutters.  Also called a leader.
5. Drip Edge – A non-corrosive, non-staining material used around the perimeter of the roof to allow water to run off clear of underlying structures.
6. Eaves – The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof.
7. Facia – The vertical face board of eaves.
8. Felt - Fibroud material saturated with ashpalt and used as a underlayment or sheathing paper.
9. Flashing - Pieces or a roll of metal used to direct water away from the adjoining walls, vent pipes and chimneys.
10. Ice Dam – Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang.  Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks and water damage.
11. Laminated Shingles – Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create an extra thickness.  Also called three-dimensional shingles or architectural shingles.
12. Open Valley – Method of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are trimmed leaving flashing exposed.
13. Pitch – The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of rise over span in feet.  E.G. 2/12 is extremely level, 12/12 is steep.
14. Ridge – The point where two roof planes meet.
15. Roll Roofing – Asphalt roofing manufactured in roll form.
16. Seal Tab – Factory-applied adhesive that bonds individual shingles together when exposed to the heat of the sun.  (Note: After five (5) years, once a seal tab is broken it will not re-adhere.)
17. Soffit – The finished underside of eaves.
18. Square – A measurement unit meaning 100 square feet.
19. Starter Strip – A special asphalt strip applied along the perimeter of the roof to seal the first layer of shingles to the roof.
20. UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc.  An organization that tests and rates various products.
21. Valley – The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
22. Vent – Any outlet for air that protrudes through the roof deck such as a pipe or stack.  Any device installed on the roof for the purpose of ventilating the attic.