Parts of a Roof: Roofing Components

A residential roofing system has multiple main layers that work together to create a durable system

Components of a residential roofing system

Leak barrier membrane helps protect against leaks.

1. Leak Barrier

A self-sticking membrane that helps protect against leaks caused by wind-driven rain and damaging ice dams.
Typically applied to eaves and rakes, in valleys, and around chimneys and skylights.

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The roof deck protection is an underlayment between your roofing shingles and roof deck.

2. Roof Deck Protection

An underlayment that provides a secondary layer of wind-driven rain protection between your shingles and roof deck

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Starter strips from GAF have specially positioned sealant applied at the factory.

3. Starter Strips

Starter strips shingles have specially positioned sealant applied at the factory
Installed at the eaves and rakes to help reduce the risk of shingle blow-offs

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Asphalt shingles are the top layer of your favorite and the most popular shingle type in the US.

4. Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular shingle type in the U.S. because they’re affordable to buy, install, and maintain.
Made from a sturdy fiberglass base, coated with asphalt and tiny mineral granules

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Specialty roofing accessories designed to enhance the performance of your roofing system.

5. Accessories

Specialty roofing accessories designed to enhance the performance of your roofing system.

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Attic ventilation at the top of your roof helps reduce damaging heat and moisture in your attic.

6. Attic Ventilation

Balanced attic ventilation helps reduce damaging heat and moisture in your attic*
Helps reduce the risk of ice dam formation in the winter

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Ridge cap shingles are the final layer of a roof to help protect hips and ridges.

7. Ridge Cap Shingles

Installed on the hip and ridge areas of the roof to help provide additional protection
May have colors available to complement your chosen shingles

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*Always have a balanced ventilation system. In no case should the amount of exhaust ventilation exceed the amount of intake ventilation. Visit www.gaf.com/ventcalculator for details.

Common roof terminology and other roof components to know

Roof terms glossary

Highlighting the ridge on a roof, the top peaks where two roof slopes meet.

Ridges

The top peaks where two roof slopes meet. Ridge caps - pre-bent shingles installed along ridges - to help prevent leaks and give roofs a finished look.

Highlighting the hip on a roof, the outward diagonal joints where two roof slopes meet.

Hips

The outward diagonal joints where two roof slopes meet. Hip caps serve the same purpose as ridge caps.

Highlighting the rake on a roof, the exposed portions on the sides of a gable roof.

Rakes

The exposed portions on the sides of a gable roof that extend to cover the top edge of the roof.

Pitch

The term for the measurement used for the steepness of a roof.

Highlighting a dormer roof on a home, which adds space and light to a top floor or attic.

Dormers

Windows that stick out vertically from a dormer roof to add space and light to a top floor or attic.

Highlighting roof flashing, thin metal sheeting that diverts water away from leak prone areas.

Flashings

Thin metal sheeting, such as aluminum, that diverts water away from areas like chimneys or vents.

Drip edge

Strip of metal that sticks out past rakes to keep rainwater from curling around the shingles and back onto the house.

Roof decking

The wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof. All other parts of the roof are attached to the deck.

Understanding warranties for your roof system

GAF warranties are recognized as some of the best in the industry

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GAF’s Lifetime limited warranty badge for qualified products.

Why choose a GAF Roofing System

When you Install any GAF Lifetime^† Shingle and at least 3 qualifying GAF Accessories you get a Lifetime^† limited warranty on your qualifying GAF products

^† Lifetime refers to the length of warranty coverage provided and means as long as the original individual owner(s) of a single-family detached residence [or eligible second owner(s)] owns the property where the qualifying GAF products are installed. For other owners/structures, Lifetime coverage is not applicable. Lifetime coverage on shingles requires the use of GAF Lifetime Shingles only. See the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products. Lifetime coverage on shingles and accessories requires the use of any GAF Lifetime Shingle and at least 3 qualifying GAF Accessories. See the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. For installations not eligible for the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty, see the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products.