North America

294 entries covering North America.

Roofing Materials

• Alaskan Yellow CedarA slow-growing Pacific Northwest cypress whose hard, durable wood is used for premium shingles, shakes and heritage roof repairs.
• Algae-Resistant ShingleAn asphalt shingle containing copper- or zinc-coated granules that release ions to inhibit the dark streaks caused by roof algae.
• Architectural ShingleA laminated asphalt shingle made of two or more bonded layers, giving a thicker, textured, multi-dimensional appearance.
• Asbestos-Cement RoofingRoof sheets and slates made of cement reinforced with asbestos fibres, widely used in the 20th century and now banned in many countries as a health hazard.
• Asphalt ShingleA flexible roofing unit made of a mat coated in asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules, laid in overlapping courses on pitched roofs.
• Clay Roof TileA roofing unit moulded or extruded from clay and fired in a kiln; one of the oldest and most widespread roof coverings in the world.
• Concrete Roof TileA roof tile moulded from sand, cement and pigment; a heavy, economical alternative to clay made in many profiles worldwide.
• Designer ShingleA heavy, multi-layer asphalt shingle shaped and coloured to imitate slate, wood shake or other premium roofing.
• Fibreglass ShingleAn asphalt shingle built on a glass-fibre mat; the dominant form of asphalt shingle sold today.
• Handsplit ShakeA wooden shake with at least one face split along the grain, giving a rough, textured surface; often made as handsplit-and-resawn.
• Impact-Resistant ShingleA roofing product rated for hail resistance, most often to UL 2218 Class 4, the highest class, tested with a 2 in (51 mm) steel ball.
• Mission TileA two-piece curved clay roof tile system of half-round pans and covers, also called barrel tile or monk-and-nun tile.
• Mud RoofA roof finished with compacted earth or clay over timber beams and a layer of matting or brush, traditional in dry regions worldwide; also called an earth roof.
• Natural SlateA fine-grained metamorphic rock split into thin, durable roofing units; among the longest-lasting roof coverings in use.
• Organic-Mat ShingleAn older type of asphalt shingle built on a felt mat of paper, rag or wood fibre, largely discontinued in North America by 2011.
• Roll RoofingAsphalt-saturated felt or mat supplied in rolls and surfaced with mineral granules, used as an economical exposed roof covering on low-slope and utility roofs.
• Rubber ShingleA roofing shingle made largely from recycled rubber, often from vehicle tyres, moulded to look like slate or wood shake.
• Solar ShingleA photovoltaic module shaped and installed like a roofing shingle or tile, so that it forms part of the roof covering while generating electricity.
• Spanish TileA one-piece clay or concrete roof tile with a deep S-curve that imitates two-piece barrel tiling in a single unit.
• Synthetic ShakeA polymer or rubber roofing product moulded to imitate split cedar shakes, with lower maintenance and fire risk than wood.
• Synthetic SlateA roofing tile moulded from polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene or rubber with mineral fillers, made to look like natural slate.
• T-Lock ShingleAn asphalt shingle with a T-shaped profile that hooks into neighbouring shingles instead of relying on a sealant strip; production ended around 2006.
• Tapersawn ShakeA thick wooden shake sawn on both faces to a taper, combining the bulk of a shake with the smoother look of a sawn shingle.
• Three-Tab ShingleA single-layer asphalt strip shingle whose lower edge is divided by two cutouts into three equal tabs, giving a flat, uniform roof pattern.
• Vermont SlateNatural roofing slate from the Slate Valley of western Vermont and eastern New York, one of the few sources of naturally coloured slate.
• Western Red CedarThuja plicata, a Pacific Northwest tree whose light, decay-resistant heartwood is the main species for wood shingles and shakes in North America.
• Wood ShakeA thick, rough-textured wooden roofing unit split from a log on at least one face, giving a rugged, deeply shadowed roof.
• Wood ShingleA thin, tapered piece of wood, sawn on both faces, laid in overlapping courses as a roof or wall covering.

Low-Slope & Flat Roof Systems

• Acrylic Roof CoatingA water-based elastomeric coating, usually white, applied to low-slope roofs for reflectivity and weather protection; generally not suited to ponding water.
• APP Modified BitumenModified bitumen membrane made with atactic polypropylene, giving a stiff, heat-resistant sheet that is normally torch-applied.
• Ballasted Roof SystemA low-slope roof in which the membrane and insulation are loose-laid and held down by the weight of stone or concrete pavers.
• Built-Up Roofing (BUR)A low-slope roof membrane made of several plies of reinforcing felt laminated with hot or cold bitumen, usually finished with gravel or a cap sheet.
• Coal-Tar Pitch RoofingBuilt-up roofing that uses coal-tar pitch, a by-product of coking coal, as the bitumen, valued for slow ageing and limited to very low slopes.
• Cover BoardA thin, firm board laid over roof insulation, or over an old roof, to protect it and provide a solid, compatible surface for the membrane.
• CSPE (Hypalon) RoofingSingle-ply roofing made from chlorosulfonated polyethylene, sold mainly as DuPont Hypalon; production for the Americas ended in 2010.
• EPDM RoofingSynthetic rubber single-ply membrane, usually black, joined with seam tapes or adhesives, and installed ballasted, mechanically attached or fully adhered.
• Gravel-Surfaced Roof (Flood Coat and Gravel)A built-up roof finish in which loose aggregate is embedded in a thick top pour of hot bitumen to shield the membrane from sun, hail and traffic.
• Hot-Melt Rubberised BitumenA thick, seamless waterproofing of polymer-modified bitumen melted on site and applied hot with fabric reinforcement, mainly for inverted, podium and buried roofs.
• Induction Welding (Roofing)Attaching single-ply membrane by bonding it to coated plates fastened to the deck, using an induction heating tool, so the sheet is not pierced.
• KEE Roofing MembraneSingle-ply membrane based on ketone ethylene ester, a high-molecular-weight polymer that keeps PVC flexible without migrating plasticisers.
• Liquid-Applied RoofingSeamless waterproofing formed by applying liquid resin by brush, roller or spray, often with a fleece or fabric reinforcement, that cures into a membrane.
• Low-Slope RoofA roof with only a slight incline, usually 2:12 or less, covered with a continuous waterproof membrane rather than overlapping shingles or tiles.
• Modified Bitumen RoofingFactory-made roofing sheets of asphalt blended with polymers such as SBS or APP and reinforced with polyester or glass fibre, laid in one or more plies.
• Overflow (Secondary) Roof DrainageEmergency drains or scuppers set above the primary drains so that water can leave a low-slope roof if the main outlets are blocked.
• PMMA Liquid RoofingFast-curing two-part polymethyl methacrylate resin, reinforced with polyester fleece, used for flat roofs, flashing details, balconies and walkways.
• Polyiso (Polyisocyanurate) Roof InsulationRigid thermoset foam board with facers, the most common low-slope roof insulation in North America, valued for high thermal resistance per thickness.
• Positive Drainage and Roof FallsThe design principle that a low-slope roof must have enough built-in slope (fall) to shed water within a set time, allowing for deflection and tolerances.
• Protected Membrane Roof (Inverted Roof)A low-slope roof in which the insulation is placed above the waterproofing, protecting it, and is held down by ballast or paving.
• PVC RoofingPolyvinyl chloride single-ply membrane made flexible with plasticisers and joined by hot-air welding; the first single-ply type standardised in the US.
• Roofing Asphalt (BUR Asphalt Types)Oxidised asphalt graded by softening point (ASTM D312 Types I-IV) for mopping built-up and modified bitumen roofs at different slopes.
• SBS Modified BitumenModified bitumen membrane made elastic with styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber, installed by torch, hot asphalt, cold adhesive or self-adhesion.
• Silicone Roof CoatingA high-solids, UV-stable elastomeric coating used for low-slope roof restoration and SPF protection; many products tolerate ponding water.
• Single-Ply RoofingLow-slope roofing that uses one layer of factory-made polymer sheet, such as TPO, PVC, EPDM or PIB, joined at seams and held by ballast, fasteners or adhesive.
• Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) RoofingA seamless roof made by spraying two-part rigid polyurethane foam onto the substrate and covering it with an elastomeric coating or aggregate.
• TPO RoofingThermoplastic polyolefin single-ply membrane, usually white and scrim-reinforced, joined by hot-air welding; the most widely used US low-slope membrane.

Roof Components

• BargeboardA bargeboard is a board fixed along the sloping edge of a gable roof, covering the ends of the roof structure, often decoratively carved.
• Chimney Cricket (Saddle)A chimney cricket, or saddle, is a small ridged structure built on the uphill side of a chimney to divert water and debris around it.
• Cold RoofA cold roof is a pitched roof insulated at ceiling level, leaving a ventilated, unheated loft or attic space between the insulation and the roof covering.
• Drip EdgeA drip edge is a formed metal flashing fixed along the eaves and rakes that carries water clear of the fascia and protects the edge of the roof deck.
• Eave Protection (Canada)Eave protection is the Canadian building code requirement for a waterproof membrane at the lower edge of shingle, shake and tile roofs to resist ice-dam leaks.
• Ice and Water Shield (Self-Adhered Ice Barrier)Ice and water shield is a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen membrane applied at eaves, valleys and penetrations to stop water backed up by ice dams.
• Kickout Flashing (Diverter)Kickout flashing is a bent piece of flashing at the bottom of a roof-to-wall junction that turns water away from the wall and into the gutter.
• King Post TrussA king post truss is a simple triangular roof frame with a single central vertical post rising from the tie beam to the apex.
• Queen Post TrussA queen post truss is a roof frame with two vertical posts set either side of centre on the tie beam, linked at the top by a straining beam.
• Roofing Felt (#15 and #30)Roofing felt is a bitumen-saturated base sheet used as underlayment; in North America it is sold as #15 and #30 grades under ASTM D226.
• Rosin Paper Slip SheetA rosin paper slip sheet is a layer of rosin-sized building paper laid under copper and other seamed metal roofs so the metal can slide over the underlayment.
• Skip Sheathing (Spaced Sheathing)Skip sheathing is roof decking made of boards laid with gaps between them, traditionally used under wood shingles and shakes to let them dry.
• Snow Guards and Snow RetentionSnow guards are devices fixed to a roof to hold or break up snow and ice so it does not slide off in dangerous slabs; they are especially common on metal roofs.
• Step FlashingStep flashing is a series of small L-shaped pieces woven into each course of shingles or tiles where a roof slope meets a sidewall or chimney side.
• Warm RoofA warm roof is a construction in which insulation follows the roof slope or sits above the deck, so the structure and roof space stay within the heated envelope.

Roof Shapes & Forms

• A-Frame RoofAn A-frame is a building whose steep roof planes start near the ground and meet at the ridge, so the roof also forms most of the walls.
• Bonnet RoofA bonnet roof is a double-pitched roof whose lower slope is shallower than the upper slope, the reverse of a mansard or gambrel, often forming porch eaves.
• Butterfly RoofA butterfly roof is an inverted gable: two roof planes slope down from the outer walls to a central valley, like a pair of raised wings.
• Gambrel RoofA gambrel roof is a two-sided roof with two slopes on each side, a steep lower slope and a shallow upper one, giving a characteristic barn profile.
• Hyperbolic Paraboloid Roof (Hypar)A hyperbolic paraboloid roof is a saddle-shaped, doubly curved roof that can be built from straight members, used for thin concrete shells and tensile structures.
• Jerkinhead Roof (Clipped Gable)A jerkinhead roof is a gable roof whose peak is clipped by a small hip, combining a mostly vertical gable with a short sloping face at the top.
• Mansard RoofA mansard roof is a four-sided roof with two slopes on each face, the lower one steep and often pierced by dormers, the upper one shallow.
• Saltbox and Catslide RoofA saltbox roof is an asymmetric gable roof with one long slope reaching low at the back; a catslide is a roof that extends below the main eave line.

Installation & Methods

• Asphalt Shingle Nailing PatternThe nailing pattern sets how many nails each asphalt shingle receives and where: typically four, or six for high-wind and steep-slope work.
• Cold Weather RoofingCold weather roofing covers the extra precautions needed below normal application temperatures, from warming materials to hand-sealing shingles.
• Fragile RoofA roof or roof element, such as old fibre-cement sheeting or a rooflight, that will not safely carry a person's weight; a leading cause of roof-work deaths.
• Hand Sealing ShinglesHand sealing is applying dabs of asphalt cement under shingles where factory sealant cannot be relied on, such as on steep slopes or in cold weather.
• Hot-Mopped Built-Up Roof ApplicationHot-mopped built-up roofing (BUR) bonds several plies of roofing felt with layers of hot asphalt or coal-tar pitch applied by mop or mechanical spreader.
• Ice Barrier InstallationAn ice barrier is a self-adhering membrane or cemented underlayment installed at the eaves to resist water backing up under shingles from ice dams.
• Installing a Metal Roof Over Existing ShinglesBecause metal is light, it can often be installed over one existing roof layer where local codes allow, but deck condition, ventilation and fixing must be checked.
• Roof BracketsRoof brackets (roof jacks) are metal supports nailed to a pitched roof that hold a plank as a foothold and material shelf for roofers.
• Roofing SquareA roofing square is a North American unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet (about 9.3 m²), used for ordering and pricing roofing.
• Shingle Exposure and OffsetExposure is the visible height of each shingle course; offset is the horizontal stagger of joints between courses so water never lines up with a gap.
• Tear-Off vs OverlayTear-off removes the existing roof covering down to the deck; an overlay (recover) installs a new covering over the old one where codes permit.
• Warning Line SystemA warning line system is a barrier of rope, wire or chain on stanchions set back from the edge of a low-slope roof to warn workers of the fall hazard.
• Wood Shake InstallationWood shake installation lays split cedar shakes in spaced courses with felt interlay between each course, two nails per shake and offset joints.
• Wood Shingle InstallationWood shingle installation lays sawn cedar shingles in triple-coverage courses with small gaps, two nails each and exposures set by length and pitch.

Standards, Codes & Testing

• ANSI/FM 4473ANSI/FM 4473 rates the hail resistance of rigid roofing such as tile, slate and metal by firing ice balls at it, from Class 1 to Class 4.
• ANSI/FM 4474ANSI/FM 4474 is a US national standard for testing the simulated wind uplift resistance of roof assemblies with static pressure or pull tests.
• ASHRAE 90.1ASHRAE 90.1 is the US-based energy standard for buildings other than low-rise residential, setting minimum roof insulation and reflectance requirements.
• ASTM A653ASTM A653 is the North American specification for hot-dip galvanized (zinc-coated) and galvannealed steel sheet used in roofing and construction.
• ASTM A792ASTM A792 is the North American specification for steel sheet hot-dip coated with 55% aluminum-zinc alloy, widely used for metal roofing.
• ASTM B370ASTM B370 is the US specification for copper sheet and strip used in building construction, including roofing, flashing and gutters.
• ASTM C406ASTM C406 is the North American specification for natural roofing slate, grading it S1, S2 or S3 by strength, absorption and weathering tests.
• ASTM D225ASTM D225 was the US specification for organic-felt asphalt shingles; it was withdrawn in 2012 after organic shingles left the North American market.
• ASTM D3161ASTM D3161 is a US laboratory test that rates the wind resistance of asphalt shingles by blowing air across a test deck with a fan.
• ASTM D3462ASTM D3462 is the US product specification for fiberglass-mat asphalt shingles surfaced with mineral granules, referenced by US building codes.
• ASTM D4434ASTM D4434 is the North American material specification for reinforced poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheet used as single-ply roofing membrane.
• ASTM D4637ASTM D4637 is the North American material specification for EPDM rubber sheet used as a single-ply roofing membrane, in three types.
• ASTM D6162, D6163 and D6164 (SBS Modified Bitumen)ASTM D6162, D6163 and D6164 are US specifications for SBS-modified bitumen roofing sheets, differing by their reinforcement type.
• ASTM D6878ASTM D6878 is the North American material specification for thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) sheet used as single-ply roofing membrane.
• ASTM D7158ASTM D7158 rates asphalt shingle wind resistance by comparing measured uplift resistance with calculated wind uplift force, giving Classes D, G and H.
• ASTM E108 / UL 790 (Roof Fire Ratings)ASTM E108 and UL 790 are the North American fire tests that rate roof coverings Class A, B or C for resistance to fire from outside the building.
• California Title 24 Cool Roof RequirementsCalifornia's Title 24 Part 6 Energy Code includes requirements for roof solar reflectance and thermal emittance, updated every three years.
• Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC)The Cool Roof Rating Council is a US non-profit that rates and lists the solar reflectance and thermal emittance of roofing and wall products.
• CSA A123.21CSA A123.21 is a Canadian test method that measures the wind uplift resistance of membrane roofing systems under dynamic, gust-like loading.
• ENERGY STAR Roof Products (discontinued)ENERGY STAR Roof Products was a US EPA label for reflective roofing; the specification was sunset on June 1, 2022.
• Florida Building CodeFlorida's statewide building code, in force since 2002 after Hurricane Andrew, with strict wind, roofing and product-approval rules.
• Florida Product ApprovalFlorida Product Approval is the state system, under Statute 553.842 and Rule 61G20-3, for approving roofing and other envelope products.
• FM 4470FM 4470 is the FM Approvals standard for membrane and liquid-applied roof assemblies, covering fire, wind uplift, hail, leakage and other hazards.
• FM ApprovedFM Approved is a certification mark from FM Approvals showing a product or roof assembly has passed FM's loss-prevention testing and factory audits.
• IBHS FORTIFIED RoofFORTIFIED Roof is a voluntary US construction standard from IBHS that strengthens roofs against high wind, hurricanes and hail, verified by third-party evaluators.
• ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESR)ICC-ES Evaluation Reports are technical reports that show whether a building product, such as a roofing system, complies with US model codes like the IBC and IRC.
• Impact-Resistant Roof Insurance DiscountsSome insurers and states give premium credits for roofs that carry a recognised hail impact rating, most often UL 2218 Class 4.
• International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 15The International Building Code is the main US model building code; its Chapter 15 sets rules for roof assemblies and rooftop structures.
• International Residential Code (IRC) Chapter 9The International Residential Code is the US model code for one- and two-family homes; Chapter 9 covers roof assemblies and roof coverings.
• LEED Heat Island Reduction CreditLEED's Heat Island Reduction credit rewards projects whose roofs and paving reflect sunlight or are vegetated, using Solar Reflectance Index thresholds.
• Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA)A Miami-Dade NOA is a county product approval showing a building product meets the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules.
• National Building Code of Canada (NBC)The National Building Code of Canada is the model building code published by the National Research Council and adopted, with changes, by provinces and territories.
• Sheet Metal Gauge and Thickness ConversionGauge is a traditional, non-linear number for sheet thickness used in North America; a higher gauge means thinner metal, and values differ by metal.
• Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)The Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) combines a surface's solar reflectance and thermal emittance into one number, where standard black is 0 and standard white is 100.
• TAS 100TAS 100 is a Florida Building Code test protocol that checks whether discontinuous roof systems keep out wind-driven rain at speeds up to 110 mph.
• UL 1897UL 1897 is a static-pressure test that measures how much wind uplift a roof covering system and its attachment can resist, usually run until failure.
• UL 2218UL 2218 is a North American impact test that drops steel balls on roof coverings to rate their hail resistance from Class 1 to Class 4.
• UL 580UL 580 is a North American test standard that rates roof assemblies for wind uplift resistance using static and oscillating air pressure, in Classes 15 to 90.

Manufacturers

• AmrizeAmrize is the North American building-materials company spun off from Holcim in June 2025; its roofing brands include Elevate and Malarkey.
• Atlas Roofing CorporationAtlas Roofing Corporation is a US maker of asphalt shingles, underlayment and polyiso insulation, founded in 1982 in Meridian, Mississippi.
• BlueScopeBlueScope is a Melbourne-based steel company, demerged from BHP in 2002, whose brands include COLORBOND, ZINCALUME and LYSAGHT roofing steel.
• Carlisle CompaniesCarlisle Companies is a US manufacturer, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, focused on commercial roofing and building envelope products.
• Carlisle SynTec SystemsCarlisle SynTec Systems is a commercial single-ply roofing brand of Carlisle Construction Materials, based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
• CertainTeedCertainTeed is a North American building-products maker founded in 1904, now a wholly owned subsidiary of France's Saint-Gobain, producing roofing, siding and insulation.
• DaVinci RoofscapesDaVinci Roofscapes is a US maker of composite (synthetic) slate and shake roofing tiles made from virgin resins, owned by Westlake.
• DECRA Roofing SystemsDECRA is a stone-coated steel roofing brand with roots in New Zealand in 1957, manufactured in the US at Corona, California.
• Duro-LastDuro-Last is a Saginaw, Michigan maker of custom-prefabricated PVC single-ply roofing, founded in 1978 and part of Amrize since 2025.
• Eagle Roofing ProductsEagle Roofing Products is a family-owned US maker of concrete roof tile, founded in Rialto, California in 1989.
• EcoStarEcoStar is a family-run US maker of synthetic slate and shake roofing made largely from recycled rubber and plastics, based in Holland, New York.
• Elevate (formerly Firestone Building Products)Elevate is a North American commercial roofing manufacturer, formerly Firestone Building Products, owned by Holcim from 2021 and part of Amrize since 2025.
• EnglertEnglert is a US maker of metal roofing, gutter systems and roll-forming machines with more than 50 years in business; it joined Great Day Improvements in 2024.
• GAFGAF is a US manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing, founded in 1886 and owned by Standard Industries.
• Henry CompanyHenry is a North American building envelope brand dating to 1933, known for roof coatings, cements and air barriers, owned by Carlisle since 2021.
• HolcimHolcim is a Swiss building-materials group founded in 1912 that built a large North American roofing business before spinning it off as Amrize in 2025.
• IKOIKO is a family-owned roofing manufacturer founded in Calgary, Canada in 1951, producing asphalt shingles, low-slope membranes and insulation in North America and Europe.
• Johns ManvilleJohns Manville is a Denver-based maker of commercial roofing systems, insulation and engineered products, founded in 1858 and owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 2001.
• Kingspan GroupKingspan is an Irish building-envelope group founded in 1965, known for insulated metal roof and wall panels and, since 2022, a roofing and waterproofing division.
• Ludowici Roof TileLudowici is a US clay roof tile maker in New Lexington, Ohio, with roots in an 1857 German tile works; it is now part of Wienerberger.
• Malarkey Roofing ProductsMalarkey Roofing Products is a Portland, Oregon asphalt shingle maker founded in 1956, acquired by Holcim in 2022 and now part of Amrize.
• McElroy MetalMcElroy Metal is an employee-owned US maker of metal roofing and wall systems, founded in 1963 and headquartered in Bossier City, Louisiana.
• Owens CorningOwens Corning is a Toledo, Ohio-based maker of roofing, insulation and glass-fibre composites, formed in 1938 by Owens-Illinois and Corning Glass Works.
• Petersen (PAC-CLAD)Petersen is a US maker of architectural metal roofing and wall panels sold as PAC-CLAD, founded in Chicago in 1965 and owned by Carlisle since 2019.
• PolyglassPolyglass is an Italian-origin maker of modified-bitumen membranes and underlayments, owned by Mapei since 2008, with US headquarters in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
• Saint-GobainSaint-Gobain is a French building-materials group founded in 1665 whose roofing interests include CertainTeed and Building Products of Canada.
• SikaSika is a Swiss specialty chemicals company founded in 1910 whose roofing range includes Sarnafil and Sikaplan single-ply membranes and liquid-applied roofing.
• SopremaSoprema is a family-controlled French manufacturer of waterproofing, insulation and green-roof products, founded in 1908 and active in about 90 countries.
• Standard IndustriesStandard Industries is a privately held New York-based industrial group that owns GAF, BMI Group, Siplast and other building-materials businesses.
• TAMKO Building ProductsTAMKO is a family-led US roofing manufacturer founded in Joplin, Missouri in 1944, known for asphalt shingles, underlayments and waterproofing.
• TerrealTerreal is a French maker of clay roof tiles and brick formed in 2002 from older French tile works, and part of Wienerberger since 2024.
• Tesla Solar RoofTesla Solar Roof is a roof covering of glass solar tiles and steel tiles sold by Tesla's energy business, unveiled in 2016 and in volume production from 2020.
• Tremco RoofingTremco Roofing is the commercial roofing and building maintenance business of Tremco CPG, part of RPM International, based in Beachwood, Ohio.
• Versico Roofing SystemsVersico is a commercial single-ply roofing brand and division of Carlisle Construction Materials, offering EPDM, TPO and PVC systems.
• Westlake Royal RoofingWestlake Royal Roofing is the roofing business of Westlake Corporation, built largely from Boral's North American roofing operations bought in 2021.
• WienerbergerWienerberger is a Vienna-based building-materials group founded in 1819, the world's largest brick maker and a leading European producer of clay and concrete roof tiles.

Organizations & Associations

• Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)ARMA is the North American trade association of asphalt shingle and asphalt membrane manufacturers, founded in 1915.
• Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA)CRCA is Canada's national roofing contractors' association, active since 1960 and based in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau (CSSB)The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau is a North American trade body for cedar roofing, founded in 1915, known for its Certi-label quality marks.
• Copper Development Association (CDA)The Copper Development Association is the North American market development and technical information body of the copper industry.
• Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)The CILB licenses and regulates construction contractors in Florida, including certified (state-wide) and registered (local) roofing contractors.
• Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA)FRSA is Florida's statewide roofing contractors' association, founded in 1922 and based in Orlando.
• FM (FM Global)FM, formerly FM Global, is a U.S.-based mutual commercial property insurer whose research, FM Approvals and data sheets strongly influence low-slope roof design.
• Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC)Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is North America's industry association for green roofs and green walls, active since 1999.
• How to Find a Licensed Roofer (by Country)A country-by-country guide to how roofers are licensed or registered, and where homeowners can check a contractor's credentials.
• Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)IBHS is a U.S. research body funded by property insurers, formed in 1977, that tests roofs against wind, hail and fire and runs the FORTIFIED program.
• International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)IIBEC is a professional body for roof, waterproofing and building enclosure consultants, founded in 1983 as RCI and renamed in 2019.
• International Roofing Expo (IRE)The International Roofing Expo is a large annual roofing trade show in the United States, organised by Informa Markets with NRCA as official sponsor.
• Metal Construction Association (MCA)The MCA is a North American trade association that promotes metal in building construction, launched in 1983 in Illinois.
• Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)The Metal Roofing Alliance is a North American non-profit trade group, formed in 1998, that promotes metal roofing for homes.
• Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA)MRCA is a U.S. roofing contractors' association that began in 1950 in Topeka, Kansas, and is now headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)NRCA is the main U.S. trade association for roofing contractors, founded in 1886, publishing technical manuals and Professional Roofing magazine.
• National Slate Association (NSA)The National Slate Association is a U.S. organisation for the natural slate roofing industry, first formed in 1922 and reformed in 2002.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory Building Envelope ResearchOak Ridge National Laboratory's building research centre (BTRIC), set up in 1993, studies building envelopes and energy use for the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)OSHA is the U.S. federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety rules, including fall protection for roofing work at 6 feet (1.8 m).
• Professional RoofingProfessional Roofing is the monthly magazine of the U.S. National Roofing Contractors Association, covering roofing technology, business and regulation.
• Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA)RCMA is a U.S. trade association for manufacturers of roof coatings and their suppliers, providing technical and regulatory information.
• Roofing ApprenticeshipStructured training that combines paid work with classroom instruction to qualify roofers; length, content and certification differ widely by country.
• Roofing Contractor (magazine)Roofing Contractor is a U.S. trade magazine for roofing businesses, published by BNP Media and known for its annual Top 100 Roofing Contractors list.
• Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC)RCABC is the roofing contractors' association for British Columbia, Canada, established in 1958 and known for its RoofStar Guarantee program and Roofing Practices Manual.
• Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)RCAT is a Texas trade association for roofing contractors, active since 1975, which runs a voluntary roofing contractor licence program.
• Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI)RICOWI is a U.S. roofing industry group that sends investigation teams to study roof performance after major hail and windstorms.
• Skilled Trades OntarioSkilled Trades Ontario is the provincial agency that runs apprenticeship programs, trade exams and Certificates of Qualification in Ontario, Canada.
• Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America (SRCA)The SRCA is a non-profit trade association for slate roofers, founded in 2005 in Pennsylvania, that publishes free slate installation guidelines.
• SPRISPRI is a U.S. trade association of single-ply membrane and roofing component suppliers that develops ANSI wind-design and edge standards.
• Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRI Alliance)The TRI Alliance is a North American association for concrete and clay roof tile, providing installation guides, training and code work.
• Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)WSRCA is a regional association for roofing contractors in the western United States, founded in 1974.

History of Roofing

• Buckminster FullerAmerican designer and inventor (1895-1983) who popularised the geodesic dome, patented in 1954, and designed the US Pavilion at Expo 67.
• Catalan VaultA shallow vault of thin flat tiles laid in layers without formwork, from Catalonia and Valencia; brought to the US by Rafael Guastavino.
• Great Boston Fire of 1872A fire on 9-10 November 1872 that spread across wooden mansard roofs and destroyed 776 buildings in downtown Boston.
• History of Asphalt ShinglesAsphalt shingles were first cut from surfaced roll roofing around 1901-1903 in the United States and became North America's most common house roof.
• History of Built-Up RoofingBuilt-up roofing, the layered 'tar and gravel' roof of felts and bitumen, developed in 19th-century America and dominated flat roofs for decades.
• History of Cool RoofsCool roofs reflect sunlight to stay cooler; research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Cool Roof Rating Council (1998) shaped modern practice.
• History of Green RoofsFrom Scandinavian sod roofs to the modern German green roof industry of the 1970s and city mandates such as Toronto's 2009 by-law.
• History of Roll RoofingRoll roofing grew from 19th-century American composition roofing into factory-made rolls of saturated felt, later surfaced with mineral granules.
• History of Roofing Fire RegulationsHow urban fires led cities to ban thatch and wood roofs, from London in 1212 to Boston in 1631 and 1872 and the US push against wood shingles in 1916.
• History of Single-Ply MembranesHow factory-made sheets of synthetic rubber and plastics (EPDM, CSPE, PVC, TPO) replaced much hot-applied built-up roofing on flat roofs.
• History of Standing Seam RoofingStanding seam roofing grew from centuries-old hand-folded joints in copper, lead and zinc sheet into today's machine-formed metal panel systems.
• History of the Geodesic DomeGeodesic domes, spherical frames of triangles, were first built by Walther Bauersfeld in Jena in the 1920s and popularised by Buckminster Fuller after 1948.
• History of the Mansard RoofThe mansard is a double-sloped hip roof named after François Mansart; it first appeared around 1550 and boomed with Second Empire architecture.
• History of Timber Roof FramingHow carpenters moved from simple paired rafters to medieval trusses, hammerbeams and, in modern times, factory-made metal-plate trusses.
• Tin Roof"Tin roof" historically meant iron sheet coated with tin (tinplate); today it is a colloquial name for almost any sheet-metal roof.

Roofing Around the World

• BohíoPalm-thatched house of the Taíno of the Greater Antilles, still built in rural Cuba and recorded in Dominican census roof categories.
• Earth LodgeA large, dome-shaped dwelling of the Great Plains, built of a heavy timber frame covered with willow, grass and thick sod over a shallow circular pit.
• Haitian Gingerbread HouseOrnate timber and masonry house of Port-au-Prince (1885-1925) with steep roofs and turrets, now mostly corrugated steel; many survived the 2010 earthquake.
• Iroquoian Longhouse RoofRounded bark roof of the Haudenosaunee and Wendat longhouse: bent poles sheathed in elm or cedar bark, with smoke vents over a line of hearths.
• PalapaOpen-sided shelter or house roofed with dried palm leaves, common in coastal and rural Mexico and Central America and on beaches and resorts.
• Plank HouseLarge rectangular house of the Pacific Northwest coast with walls and a gable or shed roof of split western red cedar planks, built for thousands of years.
• QarmaqInuit transitional-season house with low walls of snow, stone or sod, a whalebone frame and a roof of skins or canvas, used into the 1950s.
• Roofing in Antigua and BarbudaAntiguan and Barbudan roofing: timber and concrete houses with metal-sheet roofs under a mandatory OECS-based code; Hurricane Irma stripped Barbuda's roofs in 2017.
• Roofing in BarbadosBarbadian roofing: the movable timber chattel house with its steep hip or gable roof, corrugated iron and concrete, under a 1993 national building code.
• Roofing in CanadaCanadian roofing: Inuit snow and sod houses, bark longhouses, cedar plank houses and Norse turf; today asphalt shingles and metal under the National Building Code.
• Roofing in CubaCuban roofing: the palm-thatched Taíno bohío, colonial tile, and today a near even split between concrete roofs and light sheet roofs, repeatedly tested by hurricanes.
• Roofing in DominicaDominican (Commonwealth) roofing: Hurricane Maria in 2017 damaged 98% of roofs, prompting stronger housing standards with thicker rafters and purlins.
• Roofing in GrenadaGrenadian roofing: timber and concrete houses with metal-sheet hip roofs under an OECS-based code; Hurricane Beryl in 2024 destroyed or damaged most buildings on Carriacou.
• Roofing in HaitiHaitian roofing: Taíno thatch, timber gingerbread houses of 1885-1925, then heavy concrete slabs whose failures in the 2010 earthquake reshaped rebuilding.
• Roofing in JamaicaJamaican roofing: Taíno thatch, Georgian timber and zinc, and modern concrete; a 2018 Building Act adopted the International Building Code.
• Roofing in MexicoMexican roofing: Maya corbel vaults, palm thatch and colonial tile and brick vaults; today 78.6% of homes have concrete slab roofs (2020 census).
• Roofing in Puerto RicoPuerto Rican roofing: concrete slabs and zinc sheet over a Taíno and Spanish past; after Hurricane Maria in 2017 nearly 60,000 homes received temporary blue roofs.
• Roofing in Saint Kitts and NevisKittitian and Nevisian roofing: timber and concrete houses with hip roofs and metal sheet, regulated through the OECS Building Code adapted for the federation.
• Roofing in Saint LuciaSaint Lucian roofing: steep hip and gable roofs on timber houses, corrugated metal sheet, and building regulation based on the OECS model code.
• Roofing in Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVincentian roofing: metal-sheet hip roofs on timber and concrete houses under the OECS code; Hurricane Beryl in 2024 damaged about 90% of homes on Union Island.
• Roofing in the Arctic and GreenlandOverview of roofing in Greenland and the Arctic: turf and timber traditions, metal and membrane roofs today, designed for snow, wind, cold and ice.
• Roofing in the BahamasBahamian roofing: timber and shingle traditions under an early mandatory Caribbean building code, tested by Category 5 Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
• Roofing in the CaribbeanOverview of Caribbean roofing: steep hip roofs, corrugated metal and concrete slabs, shaped above all by hurricane winds.
• Roofing in the Dominican RepublicDominican roofing: from the Taíno bohío to zinc and concrete; the 2022 census found 50.9% of homes with concrete roofs and 47.5% with zinc sheet.
• Roofing in the United StatesUS roofing: from Pueblo earth roofs and bark longhouses to colonial shingles and slate; today asphalt shingles on houses and membranes on flat roofs, under ICC codes.
• Roofing in Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago roofing: steep-gabled Victorian gingerbread houses with dormers, colonial slate and timber roofs, and modern sheet and concrete roofs.
• Viga-and-Latilla RoofFlat earth roof of the American Southwest built on round log beams (vigas) and small poles (latillas), used since Ancestral Puebloan times.

Climate, Hazards & Sustainability

• Asphalt Shingle RecyclingReprocessing old and scrap asphalt shingles, mainly by grinding them for use in asphalt road paving.
• Attic CondensationMoisture that condenses on the underside of a roof deck or framing, usually from warm indoor air leaking into a cold attic.
• Blue RoofA flat or low-slope roof designed to store rainwater temporarily and release it slowly, reducing peak flows to storm sewers.
• Class A Fire RatingThe highest fire classification for roof coverings under ASTM E108 and UL 790, for roofs effective against severe external fire exposure.
• Cool RoofA roof with high solar reflectance and high thermal emittance that stays cooler in sunlight, reducing cooling loads and urban heat.
• Earthquakes and RoofsHow roof weight, attachment and bracing affect building performance in earthquakes, and why heavy tile roofs on weak frames are a known risk.
• Ember-Resistant Roof DetailsRoof vents, gutters, closures and edges designed to keep wind-blown embers from igniting debris or entering the building during a wildfire.
• Embodied Carbon of RoofingThe greenhouse gas emissions from making, transporting, installing, maintaining and disposing of roofing materials, as opposed to operating the building.
• Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)A verified document reporting the life cycle environmental impacts of a product, such as a roofing material, using standard rules.
• FORTIFIED RoofA voluntary US construction standard from IBHS that upgrades roof edges, deck sealing and attachment to reduce hurricane and high-wind damage.
• Freeze-Thaw DamageCracking, spalling and flaking of porous roofing materials caused by water freezing and thawing repeatedly inside pores and cracks.
• Green RoofA roof partly or fully covered with vegetation and growing medium over a waterproofing membrane, used for stormwater, cooling and habitat.
• Hail Damage to RoofsDamage caused when hailstones strike roofing: bruising and granule loss on shingles, cracked tiles and slates, dented metal and punctured membranes.
• Heat Island Group (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)A research group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California that studies cool roofs, cool pavements and urban heat islands.
• Hurricane Roof DamageHow tropical cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones) damage roofs, from lost coverings and edges to deck blow-off and wind-driven rain.
• Hurricane TieA metal strap or clip that fastens a rafter or truss to the wall to resist wind uplift; also called a hurricane clip or hurricane strap.
• Ice DamA ridge of ice that forms at the eaves of a snow-covered roof and traps meltwater, which can then back up under the roofing and leak.
• Impact Resistance Rating (UL 2218 and FM 4473)Laboratory classifications (Class 1 to Class 4) that rank roof coverings by resistance to simulated hail impacts.
• Rainwater Harvesting from RoofsCollecting rain that falls on a roof for storage and reuse, and how the roof material affects the quality of the collected water.
• Roof Insurance and DepreciationHow property insurers value roofs by age and condition, including actual cash value versus replacement cost settlements.
• Roof Insurance DiscountsPremium credits some insurers give for roofs built to resist wind or hail, such as FORTIFIED designations, wind mitigation features and Class 4 coverings.
• Roof Lifespan ComparisonTypical service lives of common roofing materials, from asphalt shingles and membranes to tile, slate and metal, and what shortens or extends them.
• Roof Wind Pressure ZonesAreas of a roof (field, edge, corner) assigned different wind design pressures because suction is strongest near edges and corners.
• Roof-to-Wall ConnectionThe joint that fastens rafters or trusses to the top of the walls; a key link in the load path that keeps a roof on in high winds.
• Roofing Fatality StatisticsData showing roofing as one of the deadliest occupations in the United States, with falls causing most deaths.
• Roofing Waste and LandfillWaste generated by roof replacement and construction, its share of construction and demolition debris, and ways to reduce it.
• Roofing WorkforceThe people who install and repair roofs, their numbers, pay and outlook, with US Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
• Sealed Roof DeckA roof deck whose panel joints are sealed with tape or a self-adhered membrane so rain cannot pass through if the covering is lost.
• Secondary Water BarrierA layer beneath the roof covering that limits water entry if shingles, tiles or panels are torn off in a storm.
• Shingle Wind Resistance RatingsTest classifications such as ASTM D3161 and ASTM D7158 that indicate how well steep-slope roofing resists wind blow-off.
• Single-Ply Membrane RecyclingCollection and recycling of PVC, TPO and other thermoplastic roofing membranes, including Europe's Roofcollect scheme.
• Snow LoadThe weight of accumulated snow and ice that a roof must be designed to carry, derived from local ground snow data and roof shape.
• Snow Sliding and Snow GuardsThe sudden release of snow and ice from a sloped roof, and the guards and rails installed to break it up and hold it in place.
• Tornado Roof DamageHow tornado winds strip roof coverings, lift decks and remove roof structures, and how the Enhanced Fujita scale uses roof damage to rate tornadoes.
• Toronto Green Roof BylawA 2009 City of Toronto bylaw requiring green roofs on many new large buildings, with coverage that rises with building size.
• Wildfire RoofingRoof design and materials that reduce the chance of a building igniting from embers, radiant heat or flames during a wildfire or bushfire.

Problems, Repair & Maintenance

• Attic MouldMould growth on attic sheathing and framing, almost always driven by moisture from indoor air leaks, exhaust ducts or roof leaks.
• Emergency Roof TarpingCovering a damaged roof temporarily with a tarp or plastic sheeting to keep water out until permanent repairs can be made.
• Nail PopsRoofing or deck nails that work upward and lift or puncture the shingle above, creating a bump and a possible leak point.
• Nail SicknessFailure of the nails holding slates or tiles, usually through corrosion, so units slip or fall even though the slates themselves are sound.
• Roof Insurance ClaimsA neutral overview of how property insurance claims for roof damage generally work, including coverage types, depreciation and documentation.
• Roof MossMoss growth on shaded, damp roofs that holds water, lifts shingles and tiles, and blocks drainage if left to build up.
• Shingle Curling, Clawing and CuppingDistortion of asphalt shingles in which edges turn up (cupping) or corners and middles lift (clawing), usually from age, heat or moisture.
• Slate DelaminationThe splitting and flaking of roofing slate into thin layers as it weathers, marking the end of an individual slate's service life.
• Zinc and Copper StripsMetal strips fixed near a roof's ridge whose rain runoff carries metal ions that discourage moss, algae and lichen below.

Tools & Equipment

• Ladder Standoff and Roof Ladder AccessoriesAttachments that hold a ladder away from gutters and walls, extend its rails above the roof edge, or secure it, improving access to roofs.
• Roof Jacks and Toe BoardsMetal brackets nailed to a pitched roof to hold planks that give roofers footing and catch materials; toe boards are the planks or cleats they support.
• Roofing Harness and Anchors (Personal Fall Arrest)A full-body harness, connector and roof anchor system that stops a roofer's fall; required in many countries for work at height.
• Roofing Hatchet (Shingling Hatchet)A hammer-hatchet used for hand-nailing and trimming shingles and shakes, often with an adjustable gauge for setting exposure.
• Roofing KettleA fuel-fired tank that melts and heats asphalt or coal tar for hot-applied built-up roofing and other hot-mopped systems.
• Roofing Shovel (Tear-Off Tool)A long-handled spade with a notched or serrated blade and a fulcrum heel, used to strip old shingles and nails during tear-off.
• Roofing TorchA propane-fuelled open-flame torch used to melt the bitumen on torch-applied modified bitumen membranes during installation.
• Slate CutterA lever-action shear, often called a guillotine, that trims roofing slates to size and may also punch nail holes.
• Slate RipperA long, thin steel blade with hooked notches used to reach under slates or tiles and cut or pull the hidden nails holding a damaged unit.
• Slater's Hammer and ZaxTraditional slating hand tools: the slater's hammer drives nails, punches holes and trims slate; the zax is a bladed cutter with a punch point.