Vistas de techos

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Glosario de términos de techos para propietarios

By Dawn Killough

02 de noviembre de 2020

Scrabble board with tiles spelling 'Glossary'

Ever wonder what a ridge vent is? How about a cricket?

Like most aspects of home construction, roofing has its own vocabulary. Hemos recopilado algunos de los términos más comunes de techos residenciales para que puedas descubrir su significado y entender de qué está hablando el contratista de techado.

Roofing System Components

3-tab shingle: An asphalt shingle comprised of a single layer with the exposed area separated by cut-outs into three tabs that are approximately 12 to 13 inches.

Architectural shingle: An asphalt shingle made up of multiple layers. The tabs on these shingles are cut to different sizes and shapes to give the roof a more three-dimensional appearance. Also called dimensional or laminated shingles.

Asphalt shingle: A shingle created by covering a fiberglass mat with an asphalt-based coating, then adding mineral granules to the surface. One of the most common residential roofing materials, it is known for its durability and ease of installation.

Cool roof shingle: Shingles that are specially designed to remain at lower temperatures than traditional, non-reflective shingles when exposed to the sun's rays, which may reduce attic temperature and help save on cooling costs.*

Cricket: A device that helps divert water around or away from chimneys and other large roof projections.

Designer shingle: Asphalt roofing shingles with highest-end multidimensional designs made to appear similar to slate or wood shake shingles. Often called a "premium" or "luxury" shingles.

Dimensional shingle: Another name for an architectural shingle.

Drip edge: Rigid material that is installed at the edge of the roof to keep shingles off the deck, extending them out over eaves and gutters. This helps control the direction of dripping water that could damage underlying components.

Flashing: A material installed around a roof penetration or along an edge to help keep moisture from seeping into the layers below. Can be found along the roof's perimeter or at penetrations, walls, expansion joints, valleys, drains, and other places where the roofing is interrupted or terminated.

Laminate shingle: Another name for an architectural shingle.

Ridge cap shingles: Material specifically made to cover the peak ridge or hips of the roof.

Roof deck protection: Also known as underlayment, these GAF products are often synthetic or fiberglass-reinforced felts. They provide a water-shedding secondary layer of protection under the final roof covering.

Roof ridge vent: An air slot cut into the roof deck at the highest point on the roof. The vent construction protects the inside from the weather while allowing air to flow freely through the attic.

Roofing felt: A material laid down on top of the roof decking to protect the structure underneath. Typically made of asphalt-saturated paper or synthetic materials. Similar to underlayment.

Roofing underlayment: Asphaltic saturated organic or synthetic-based rolled materials designed to be installed under the main roofing materials to help shed water and resist weather infiltration. Sometimes referred to as felt.

Shingle: A small piece of roofing material designed to be installed in overlapping rows or courses.

Slope: The steepness of the roof expressed as a ratio. For example, a 4:12 slope means there are 4" of vertical rise for every 12" of horizontal length.

Solar panels: Racked solar panels (aka modules), which are separate from and on top of your roof, with the panels attached by dozens of roof penetrations

Solar roofing: A roofing system in which the solar is integrated into your home's roof materials. See GAF Energy and this glossary of solar terms for more information.

Square: A measurement of roof area equal to 100 square feet or enough roofing material to cover 100 square feet of a roof deck.

Starter strip: The first row of roofing that is installed at the edge of the eave. They are also installed along the rakes to improve the wind resistance of the roof.

Tab: The bottom portion of a shingle, where the material is separated by the shingle cut-outs.

Valley: The place where two downward-sloping sections of a roof join, creating a "V" shaped depression.

Vapor retarder: A material used to impede the passage or movement of water vapor. Usually included as a layer during roofing installation.

Building Components

Attic vent: An opening that allows air, heat, and water vapor to escape from the attic. This helps prevent damage to roofing materials caused by overheating.

Decking: The structural material over which roofing is applied. Usually plywood, boards, or planks.

Dormer: A small, raised roof area protruding from the roof plane, usually housing a window.

Eave: The edge of a roof that overhangs the wall.

Fascia: The wood trim around the perimeter of a building, just under the roofing. Often nailed to the ends of trusses or rafters and used to hang gutters.

Gable roof: A traditional roof style in which two roof planes meet at the ridge line.

Hip roof: A roof with four roof planes coming together at a peak and four separate hip legs.

Sheathing: The structural material over which roofing is applied. Usually plywood, boards, or planks.

Soffit: The exposed area under a roof eave or overhang.

Vent: An opening that allows air, heat, and water vapor from inside a building to escape to the outside.

Other Roofing Terms

High nailing: When shingles are fastened above the manufacturer's suggested nailing location.

Ice dam: A mass of ice formed at the roof edge, caused by the refreezing of snow. It can cause ice and water to back up under roofing materials and waterproofing, leading to water damage.

Penetration: Any construction passing through the roofing system, such as vent piping, conduits, and HVAC equipment supports.

Shiner: When shingles are fastened below the manufacturer's suggested nailing location. This can cause the nail to rust out, leading to water intrusion.


*Savings are not guaranteed.

About the Author

Dawn Killough es una escritora independiente que cubre temas sobre construcción, finanzas y contabilidad. Es la autora de un libro electrónico sobre construcción ecológica y escribe para sitios web de tecnología en la construcción y construcción ecológica. Vive en Salem, Oregon con su esposo y cuatro gatos.

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A contractor can also help determine whether you need a new roof entirely.How to Prevent Roof Leaks in the FutureWith regular maintenance, you can catch leaks before they occur and extend your roof's life.Schedule A Professional InspectionIt's recommended to get your roof professionally inspected at least twice a year. When a leak is in the first stages, you might not notice signs immediately. A contractor can detect these issues before they happen and repair any damaged areas, such as shingles or flashing. These proactive steps are often less expensive than, for example, replacing damaged insulation from water damage or replacing the roof decking due to rot.Inspect Your Attic and RoofIn addition to professional inspections, monitor your attic and roof to determine whether you need a roof repair. From your attic, look for any sunlight that might be entering. If light can get into your attic, that means water can too. If you have a leak, you might see small dark spots or smell mildew or mold.While you should avoid climbing on your roof (leave this to the professionals who have the proper safety equipment and training), you can inspect your roof from the ground. Look for missing or damaged shingles, holes, and damage to the gutters and flashing.Clean Your GuttersMake gutter cleaning part of your yearly maintenance, or hire someone to do it. When your gutters become clogged with debris, water has nowhere to go and will remain on the roof or make its way inside. Installing gutter guards can help reduce the need for gutter cleanup.Trim Tree BranchesTrimming the tree branches near your roof can further prevent leaves from clogging the gutters. This step can also prevent branches from scratching your shingles on windy days or falling on your roof, leading to cracks.Catch Leaks Early to Minimize DamageYour roof is one of your home's most important structures. So, as soon as you notice signs of a leak, contact a roofing contractor, and prevent future leaks with regular roof maintenance and inspections. By taking these steps, you can ensure your roof protects what matters most for years to come.Ready to hire a contractor to fix a leak or inspect your roof? Find a GAF-Certified Contractor* near you.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Los contratistas pueden recibir beneficios, como puntos y descuentos de recompensa por lealtad en herramientas de comercialización de GAF por participar en el programa y ofrecer a GAF garantías mejoradas, que requieren el uso de una cantidad mínima de productos de GAF. Tus tratos con un contratista, y cualquier servicio que te proporcione, están sujetos a los Términos de uso del contratista de GAF.

Autor: Mark Soto​​​​​​​

15 de noviembre de 2024

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