Roofing Glossary of Terms





Roof Vent Pipe Field of Roof System Ridge Flashing Hip Soffit Gable Rake Drip Edge Valley Gutters Underlayment Eave Vent
EaveA roof edge that extends out past the exterior wall line.
Eaves-TroughAnother name for Gutter.
ECHPolyepichlorohydrin. See also Epichlorohydrin.
Edge StrippingRoofing material used to seal perimeter edge metal and the roof itself.
Edge VentingThe installation of vent material along a roof edge (e.g., Starter Vent) as part of a ventilation system. Edge vent material should be used in conjunction with other venting material (e.g., ridge vent) as it not intended for use by itself.
ElastomerA material which, after being stretched, will return to its original shape.
ElastomericProperties of a material that will permit it to return to its original shape after being stretched.
Elastomeric CoatingA coating that can be stretched to twice its dimensions and that will return to original when tension is released.
ElongationThe ability of a material to be stretched or lengthened.
EmbedmentIn roofing, to uniformly press one material into another, such as aggregate into bitumen, roofing felt into bitumen, or granules into a coating.
EmulsionFine particles suspended in a liquid solution. See also Asphalt Emulsion and Bituminous Emulsion.
End LapThe extension of one component of material past the end of an adjacent piece of material.
EnvelopeA continuous seal for preventing bitumen from leaking down into or off a building. Is constructed by extending the base sheet or other non-porous ply of felt beyond the edge of the field plies. It is then turned back onto the top of the system and adhered. See also Bitumen-Stop.
EPDMEthylene Propylene Diene Monomer.
Epichlorohydrin (ECH)A synthetic rubber material similar to EPDM with a stronger resistance to animal fats and oils than EPDM.
EpoxyA type of synthetic, thermosetting resins that produce tough, hard, chemical-resistant coatings and adhesives.
Equipment ScreenA nonstructural wall or screen constructed around rooftop equipment such as HVAC units, curbs, etc. to hide the look of the equipment and make the structure more aesthetically pleasing.
Equiviscious Temperature (EVT)The temperature at which a bitumen attains the proper viscosity for use in built-up roofing. There is usually a twenty-five degree Fahrenheit (25° F) variance permitted above and below the recommended EVT. The EVT is measured in application equipment just prior to application using a standard thermometer or it can be measured just after application using a laser thermometer.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)A thermoplastic rubber with high tear strength that can be cross-linked by both peroxides and sulfur.
EVTEquiviscous Temperature
Exhaust VentA device used to vent air from the roof cavity with vents that are installed on or near the higher portions of the roof such as the ridge.
Expansion CleatA cleat designed to handle thermal movement of the metal roof panels.
Exposed-Nail MethodA method of installing roll roofing materials to where all nails/fasteners are visible and exposed to the elements.
ExposureThe portion of the membrane that is not overlapped by the succeeding ply or course. Or, the portion of the roofing material exposed to the weather after being installed.
ExtrusionThe process of manufacturing and/or shaping a material by forcing it through a die.
EyebrowA small, shed roof protruding from the main roof or located on the side of a building below the level of the main roof.




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