Contractor nailing GAF shingles on a home, one of the six parts of a roof system

Parts of a Roof

A residential roofing system has six main layers that work together to create a durable system

Leak barrier membrane helps protect against leaks.
  • A self-sticking membrane that helps protect against leaks caused by wind-driven rain and damaging ice dams.
  • Typically applied to eaves and rakes, in valleys, and around chimneys and skylights.

The roof deck protection is an underlayment between your roofing shingles and roof deck.
  • An underlayment that provides a secondary layer of wind-driven rain protection between your shingles and roof deck

Starter strips from GAF have specially positioned sealant applied at the factory.
  • Starter strips shingles have specially positioned sealant applied at the factory
  • Installed at the eaves and rakes to help reduce the risk of shingle blow-offs

Asphalt shingles are the top layer of your favorite and the most popular shingle type in the US.
  • Asphalt shingles are the most popular shingle type in the U.S. because they’re affordable to buy, install, and maintain.
  • Made from a sturdy fiberglass base, coated with asphalt and tiny mineral granules

Attic ventilation at the top of your roof helps reduce damaging heat and moisture in your attic.
  • Balanced attic ventilation helps reduce damaging heat and moisture in your attic*
  • Helps reduce the risk of ice dam formation in the winter

Ridge cap shingles are the final layer of a roof to help protect hips and ridges.
  • Installed on the hip and ridge areas of the roof to help provide additional protection
  • May have colors available to complement your chosen shingles

*Always have a balanced ventilation system. In no case should the amount of exhaust ventilation exceed the amount of intake ventilation. Visit www.gaf.com/ventcalculator for details.

Common roof terminology and other roof components to know

Roof Terms Glossary
Highlighting the ridge on a roof, the top peaks where two roof slopes meet.
Ridges
The top peaks where two roof slopes meet. Ridge caps - pre-bent shingles installed along ridges - to help prevent leaks and give roofs a finished look.
Highlighting the hip on a roof, the outward diagonal joints where two roof slopes meet.
Hips
The outward diagonal joints where two roof slopes meet. Hip caps serve the same purpose as ridge caps.
Highlighting the rake on a roof, the exposed portions on the sides of a gable roof.
Rakes
The exposed portions on the sides of a gable roof that extend to cover the top edge of the roof.
Highlighting the pitch of a roof, the term of measurement used for the steepness of a roof.
Pitch
The term for the measurement used for the steepness of a roof.
Highlighting a dormer roof on a home, which adds space and light to a top floor or attic.
Dormers
Windows that stick out vertically from a dormer roof to add space and light to a top floor or attic.
Highlighting roof flashing, thin metal sheeting that diverts water away from leak prone areas.
Flashings
Thin metal sheeting, such as aluminum, that diverts water away from areas like chimneys or vents.
Highlighting the drip edge on a roof, the strip of metal that sticks out past rakes.
Drip Edge
Strip of metal that sticks out past rakes to keep rainwater from curling around the shingles and back onto the house.
Highlighting the roof decking, the wooden boards that make up the framing of a roof.
Roof Decking
The wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof. All other parts of the roof are attached to the deck.

Understanding warranties for your roof system

GAF warranties are recognized as some of the best in the industry

Compare Warranties

Why choose a GAF Roofing System?

When you Install any GAF Lifetime† Shingle and at least 3 qualifying GAF Accessories you get a Lifetime† limited warranty on your qualifying GAF products
GAF’s Lifetime limited warranty badge for qualified products.
† Lifetime refers to the length of warranty coverage provided and means as long as the original individual owner(s) of a single-family detached residence [or eligible second owner(s)] owns the property where the qualifying GAF products are installed. For other owners/structures, Lifetime coverage is not applicable. Lifetime coverage on shingles requires the use of GAF Lifetime Shingles only. See the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products. Lifetime coverage on shingles and accessories requires the use of any GAF Lifetime Shingle and at least 3 qualifying GAF Accessories. See the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. For installations not eligible for the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty, see the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products.
Ready to start on your roofing project? Browse local roofers

Which shingles are right for my home?

The answer depends on your budget, the weather in your area, and your personal style. GAF can help you make the best choice.

GAF contractor showing shingle color palette to homeowners.
How to choose shingles

A guide through the options you have, and facts you need to consider, when you’re ready to shop for shingles.

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GAF gray shingle closeup along with gray shingles on a taupe house.
Shingle style guide

Find shingle colors that complement your home and and surroundings, and reflect your personal sense of style.

SEE SHINGLE COLORS >

Brown GAF Timberline HDZ shingles on a beige stucco home.
Our most popular shingle

See why Timberline HDZ® is North America’s #1-selling roofing shingle and find out if it’s right for your home.

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