Question 1

Ballast

Accepted Answer

Material, often gravel or pavers, used to weigh down a roof and protect the roof membrane.

Question 2

Batten

Accepted Answer

A thin strip of wood or metal used to secure roofing materials, often used with tile or slate roofs.

Question 3

Bitumen

Accepted Answer

A black viscous mixture of hydrocarbons obtained naturally or as a residue from petroleum distillation, used for roofing and waterproofing.

Question 4

Built-up roof (BUR)

Accepted Answer

A type of flat roof that consists of several layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabric.

Question 5

Cant strip

Accepted Answer

A triangular piece of material used at the transition from vertical to horizontal surfaces to prevent bending of the roofing membrane.

Question 6

Cap sheet

Accepted Answer

The top layer in a roofing system, often granulated and UV-resistant.

Question 7

Cladding

Accepted Answer

The covering of a building (including roofs) with material to provide weather protection.

Question 8

Counterflashing

Accepted Answer

Flashing that is installed to prevent water penetration, typically over another piece of flashing.

Question 9

Cricket

Accepted Answer

A small, angled roof structure that diverts water around objects like chimneys.

Question 10

Dead-level

Accepted Answer

Absolutely horizontal or flat, with no slope.

Question 11

Deck

Accepted Answer

The substrate over a roof, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).

Question 12

Dormer

Accepted Answer

A structure projecting from a sloping roof, often containing a window.

Question 13

Drip edge

Accepted Answer

A metal flashing or other overhanging component with an outward projecting lower edge, intended to control the direction of dripping water.

Question 14

Eaves

Accepted Answer

The lower edges of a roof which overhang the face of a wall.

Question 15

EPDM

Accepted Answer

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, a type of synthetic rubber used in flat roofs.

Question 16

Fascia

Accepted Answer

The vertical edge of a roof, often with gutters attached.

Question 17

Felt

Accepted Answer

A flexible sheet manufactured by the interlocking of fibers through a combination of heat, moisture, and pressure.

Question 18

Fire rating

Accepted Answer

The classification of a roof based on its resistance to fire.

Question 19

Flashing

Accepted Answer

Materials used to waterproof a roof around any projections through the roof deck.

Question 20

Gable

Accepted Answer

The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches.

Question 21

Granules

Accepted Answer

Ceramic-coated and fired crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.

Question 22

Hip

Accepted Answer

The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof.

Question 23

Ice dam

Accepted Answer

A condition of snow and ice build-up on the lower edge of a roof, potentially causing water penetration through the roof covering.

Question 24

Joist

Accepted Answer

Horizontal structural members used to carry the roof deck and loads placed upon it.

Question 25

Membrane

Accepted Answer

A flexible or semi-flexible roof covering or waterproofing layer.

Question 26

Modified bitumen

Accepted Answer

Bitumen with added polymers to improve elasticity and performance.

Question 27

Nailer

Accepted Answer

A piece of lumber secured to non-nailable decks and walls by bolts or other means, providing a suitable backing onto which roofing materials may be mechanically fastened.

Question 28

Open valley

Accepted Answer

A method of valley construction in which the valley is formed by leaving an open space between two intersecting roof slopes, often lined with metal flashing.

Question 29

Parapet

Accepted Answer

A low wall at the edge of a roof, often used to support a railing or to conceal mechanical equipment.

Question 30

Penetration

Accepted Answer

Any object that passes through the roof deck, such as a pipe, vent, or skylight.

Question 31

Ponding

Accepted Answer

The accumulation of water on a flat or low-sloped roof.

Question 32

Rafter

Accepted Answer

A structural member that supports the roof deck and runs from the ridge to the eaves.

Question 33

Reglet

Accepted Answer

A sheet metal receiver for the attachment of counterflashing.

Question 34

Ridge

Accepted Answer

The horizontal line at the top edge where two sloping roof planes meet.

Question 35

Ridge vent

Accepted Answer

A ventilation system installed at the ridge to allow warm, moist air to escape from the attic.

Question 36

Roof assembly

Accepted Answer

The combination of all roof components, including the deck, insulation, vapor retarder, membrane, and any accessories.

Question 37

Roof pitch

Accepted Answer

The slope of a roof, expressed as a ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run.

Question 38

Saddle

Accepted Answer

A small structure that helps to divert water around a chimney or other roof penetration.

Question 39

Scupper

Accepted Answer

An opening in a wall or parapet for the drainage of water from a roof.

Question 40

Seam

Accepted Answer

A joint between two pieces of roofing material.

Question 41

Shingle

Accepted Answer

A small unit of roofing material, often overlapping, used to cover a roof.

Question 42

Soffit

Accepted Answer

The underside of the eaves, often ventilated to allow air circulation in the attic.

Question 43

Solvent welding

Accepted Answer

A method of joining thermoplastic materials by dissolving and fusing them together with a solvent.

Question 44

Square

Accepted Answer

A unit of measure for roof coverings, equal to 100 square feet.

Question 45

Standing seam

Accepted Answer

A metal roofing system with vertical panels that interlock with raised seams.

Question 46

Starter strip

Accepted Answer

A row of roofing material applied along the eaves to provide a straight edge for the first course of shingles.

Question 47

Tapered insulation

Accepted Answer

Insulation that is pre-cut to a slope to promote positive drainage on a flat roof.

Question 48

Thermal bridging

Accepted Answer

The flow of heat through a roof assembly due to the presence of materials with high thermal conductivity.

Question 49

Torch-applied

Accepted Answer

A method of installing modified bitumen membranes using an open flame torch to heat and melt the bitumen.

Question 50

Underlayment

Accepted Answer

A layer of material, typically felt or synthetic, installed between the roof deck and the roofing material.

Question 51

Valley

Accepted Answer

The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Question 52

Vapor retarder

Accepted Answer

A material used to restrict the passage of water vapor through a roof assembly.

Question 53

Ventilation

Accepted Answer

The intentional movement of air from the underside of a roof to the outside, used to control temperature and moisture in the attic space.

Question 54

Waterproofing

Accepted Answer

The process of making a structure resistant to the passage of water.

Question 55

Weep hole

Accepted Answer

A small hole in a masonry wall or through a parapet to allow accumulated water to drain.

Question 56

Wind uplift

Accepted Answer

The force exerted on a roof by wind, potentially causing materials to lift or separate.

Question 57

Z-bar flashing

Accepted Answer

A type of metal flashing used to separate and waterproof the joint between a roof and a wall.

Question 58

Roof harness

Accepted Answer

A safety device worn by workers to prevent falls while working on a roof.

Question 59

Mechanically fastened

Accepted Answer

A method of attaching roofing materials using screws, nails, or other mechanical devices.

Question 60

Recovery board

Accepted Answer

A layer of insulation or other material installed over an existing roof, providing a smooth surface for the installation of a new roof.

Question 61

Self-adhering membrane

Accepted Answer

A type of roofing membrane that adheres to the substrate without the need for additional adhesives.

Question 62

Laminated shingles

Accepted Answer

Also known as architectural or dimensional shingles, these have more than one layer of tabs to create extra thickness.

Question 63

Base flashing

Accepted Answer

The portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the roof deck, used to direct the flow of water onto or over the roof covering.

Advanced Red Seal Exam Roofer Flashcards