A Glossary Of Unusual Roofing Components Every Homeowner Should Know

When you take a glance at your roof, if you are like most homeowners, you will see one large structure. However, if you take the time to look a little closer and with a slightly trained eye, you will see that what you have always looked at as one major structural component of your home is actually a culmination of several different things. Whether you are looking to make a few improvements to your roof or have a roof that is in need of a little attention from a professional, it is always helpful if you can clearly understand some of the terms used by a professional. Here are a few of the bit more unusual terms that you may hear.  

Crickets - Around specific roofing features, such as the chimney, there are vulnerable areas where moisture can slip through, which can be a big deal. Not only will you see metal flashing on a lot of roofs to protect these areas, you will also see something referred to in roofing as crickets. Crickets are narrow guides, typically made of metal or vinyl, that are designed to route water away from the area and outward to the rest of the roof. If your crickets are missing or otherwise damaged, you could see water entrapment around the metal flashing. 

Dormer - If you live is a home that is multilevel with windows in the top part of the house, you could have dormers. Dormers are roofing sections that extend upward and outward of the roofing plane. Dormers are also sometimes referred to as doghouses because of their telltale shape of a small house when combined with the outside frame of the window. Dormers can be a bit more prone to damage because of their stance on the roof. 

Hip Legs - If you have a hip roof, it means that you have a roof that has four main planes that meet in a semi-vertical point. The edges of the roof where each plane meets the next is referred to as a hip leg. The hip leg can be prone to excess wear and tear, but is usually protected by either a woven shingle application or even metal ridges that are meant to offer a bit of extra stability. 

Nesting - When you have a new roof installed, the professional may choose to leave the existing shingles in place, which just adds a layer of insulation. If the shingles are applied in a nesting fashion, it means that the shingles will be exactly lined up with the lines and grooves of the underlying roof. This tactic is preferred by many of the best roofers because it is less likely to lead to buckling of the new materials over time. 

To read more, look at the sites of local roofers.