Defining the Parts of Your Home

Learn the terms home exterior contractors use. Just mouse over the red dots to reveal the definition of the housing element.

DRIP EDGE: A narrow strip of non-corrosive, non-staining, finishing material installed along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction. On eaves where gutters are present, this material is commonly called gutter apron.

SOFFIT: The finished underside of the eaves. Soffit panels are available in wood, vinyl and aluminum.

SHINGLE SIDING: A siding option typically manufactured from red cedar, which weathers to a silvery gray or medium brown, depending on local climate; and white cedar, which weathers to a silvery gray.

HORIZONTAL SIDING: Provides style and functionality. Available in various materials, colors, textures and designs.

FASCIA: The vertical board at the eaves, oftentimes covered with vinyl or aluminum.

ROOF SHEATHING (boards): The structural base of a roof. Also called the roof deck, or decking.

VALLEY: The intersection of two sloping roofs joining at an angle to provide water runoff.

VALLEY FLASHING: Made from aluminum or galvanized steel, this additional water barrier is installed after the roof and valley have been covered with underlayment.

VERTICAL PANEL SIDING: Plain, patterned, or grooved panels of plywood or hardboard that provide style and functionality.

HOUSEWRAP: Material designed to allow moisture to escape and to prevent air from coming in.

WALL SHEATHING: The first covering of boards on the outside wall of a frame house.

VENT FLASHING: A flat piece of pre-cut sheet metal installed on top of the underlayment to prevent leaks from occurring where roof vents are present.

GUTTERS (Seamless Aluminum): A trough fixed under or along the eaves for draining rainwater from a roof.

RIDGE SHINGLES: Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

SHINGLES: The outermost covering of a roof. Composition shingles are manufactured from materials "composed" of fiberglass, modified asphalt and mineral granules. Wood shingles and shakes (shakes are split rather than sawn) are made from western red cedar. Other roofing options include clay and concrete tiles, slate, metal, mineral roll roofing, and tar and gravel.

GALVANIZED SEWER VENT PIPE

STEP FLASHING: A corrosion-resistant sheet metal used to waterproof the angle between a chimney, skylight, dormer, etc. and a sloping roof.

CHIMNEY BASE FLASHING: A corrosion-resistant sheet metal installed at the base of a chimney to prevent leaks.

UNDERLAYMENT: An asphalt-impregnated felt laid under most roofing materials as a secondary water barrier. Felt is classified by weight per "square," (100 sq. ft.) usually 15 or 30-pound. Underlayment is also called tar paper or felt.

ROOF SHEATHING (plywood): The structural base of a roof. Also called the roof deck, or decking.