Thanks to their extensive experience and dedication to their clients, the professionals at Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing are often considered Oahu’s best roofing contractors. Based in Pearl City, HI, this family-owned business has repaired, maintained, and replaced roofs for both commercial and residential properties since 1972.

As the best roofing contractors on Oahu, they understand any roof work can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing for clients, so to help facilitate conversations between the contractor and client, Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing compiled a list of some of the most common roofing terms:

• Dormer: A small, raised structure projecting from a larger roof plane.

• Drip Edge: An L-shaped lip along the edge of a roof meant to make water drip away from eaves and the siding.

• Eave: The horizontal edge of a roof, located at the bottom of its slope and jutting out over the side of the building.

• Fire Rating: A material’s fire resistance. Roofing material is rated either Class A, B, or C from most to least fire-resistant.

• Flashing: Materials meant for waterproofing the roof and its components, usually made from metal.

• Rafters: The framing underneath the roof providing structure and support.

• Sheathing: These are sheet materials or boards directly atop the rafters. Shingles and other roofing materials are then laid on top of it.

• Slope: The measurement of a roof’s vertical rise every 12 horizontal inches. Therefore, if a roof has a 6-in-12 slope, every 12 horizontal inches it will rise six inches vertically.

• Truss: Specially designed components meant to further support the rafters.

• Valley: The intersection at which two roof slopes meet and form a depression.

When you need any type of roof repair or maintenance, Tory’s Roofing & Waterproofing hopes this glossary will provide communicative clarity during the process. For those on Oahu needing hands-on work, don’t hesitate to contact the best roofing contractors on the island. They offer an All Roof Maintenance Program valid for up to five years; you can learn more about the services available online or by calling (808) 456-5990.