asphalt shingles
A roof covering of small overlapping asphalt-coated units, commonly reinforced with fiberglass or organic felt.
Asphalt shingle roofing is made from several small, overlapping units of reinforcing material, commonly fiberglass or organic felt, coated with asphalt, and usually coated with sand or ceramic granules. These combinations of materials form a waterproof and inexpensive roofing material, but it is vulnerable to decay through temperature fluctuations and eventual water penetration of exposed nail holes.
The asphalt coating supplies the water-resistant layer, while the reinforcing base and surface granules form parts of the composite shingle. Fiberglass reinforcement does not make these units a fiberglass-sheet roof.
Asphalt sheeting uses broad membrane sheets. The smaller overlapping units distinguish asphalt shingles from that covering even where the coating and reinforcing materials are similar.
Related definitions
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aluminum sheeting
A roof covering formed from large sheets or slats of aluminum, commonly interlocked along their edges. -
asbestos sheeting
A roof covering of large asbestos-containing sheets, typically asbestos cement and often corrugated. -
asbestos shingles
A roof covering of small overlapping asbestos-containing shingles, typically made from asbestos cement. -
asphalt sheeting
A roof covering of large continuous membrane sheets coated on one or both sides with asphalt or tar. -
brick
A roof covering with an outer layer of small fired masonry blocks, usually joined by mortar. -
ceramic tiles
A roof covering of baked clay or similar ceramic tiles, usually overlapping or interlocking on a sloping roof. -
concrete slab
A roof covering with a continuous, exposed concrete surface formed from precast or cast-in-place concrete. -
concrete tiles
Roofing made from tile or shingles of concrete, often reinforced with fiberglass. -
copper sheeting
A roof covering of large copper sheets or slats joined together, excluding small overlapping copper shingles. -
fabric
A roof covering formed from suspended cloth or a similar flexible, tent-like sheet material. -
fiberglass sheeting
A roof covering of rigid plastic sheets or panels reinforced with glass fibers, often formed with corrugations. -
glass
Roofing made of glass, either as an opaque coating or in the form of an extended skylight. -
iron sheeting
A roof covering of large iron sheets or slats joined together, excluding small overlapping iron shingles. -
metal shingles
A roof covering of small, overlapping rolled-metal plates arranged in successive courses. -
slate
A roof covering made from pieces of natural slate split into thin sheets, usually laid in overlapping courses. -
sod
A roof covering of living grass rooted in soil, including lawns over underground buildings. -
steel sheeting
A roof covering of large steel sheets or slats joined together, often corrugated or shaped to resemble tiles. -
stone slab
A roof covering of natural stone in large slabs or masses, excluding small stone tiles and shingles. -
synthetic membrane
A roof covering formed from sheets of plastic, rubber, or similar synthetic material joined into a watertight layer. -
tar
A roof surface coated with tar, directly or on a fabric or felt carrier, with any underlying wood fully obscured. -
tar and gravel
A roof covering with gravel or small stones laid over a tar layer, commonly used on flat roofs. -
thatch
A roof covering formed from thick overlapping mats of cut grasses or other plant stalks. -
wood planks
A roof covering of wooden boards fitted together, normally in parallel, with possible overlap at their joints. -
wood shingles
A roof covering of small wooden plates laid in overlapping courses, generally on a sloping roof.