The terms you'll see on bids, reports, and insurance letters — defined by a working NM inspector, with local notes where the desert, wind, and elevation change the answer.
Dark stains (usually Gloeocapsa magma) on asphalt shingles.
Cosmetic on most NM roofs, but a signal the roof is holding moisture longer than it should. Zinc/copper strips near the ridge slow it down.
See also · Asphalt shingle · Ridge
The fastener that ties a solar rail or vent stack down through the deck.
NM note · In NM wind zones, anchor spacing on solar rails matters more than panel wattage.
L-shaped metal at the base of a wall-to-roof transition.
First place I look on stucco homes — improperly lapped stucco over apron flashing traps water and rots the wall bottom plate.
Fiberglass mat coated in asphalt and mineral granules.
Dominant NM residential material. Class 4 impact-rated versions can earn insurance discounts.
See also · Class 4 · Granule loss
Loose stone or pavers holding down a single-ply roof membrane.
The bottom leg of a two-piece flashing system where a roof meets a wall.
A roofing contractor invited to quote a defined scope of work.
See also · Scope of Work
A raised bubble in a built-up or modified bitumen roof from trapped moisture or gas.
Rubber or lead collar sealing where a plumbing vent penetrates the roof.
NM note · Cracked EPDM boots are the #1 leak source I find in Albuquerque — sun destroys them in 8–12 years.
Multi-ply tar-and-gravel roof, common on older ABQ commercial buildings.
Angled wood or fiber strip that eases the transition from a flat deck to a vertical wall.
The top, granule-surfaced ply on a modified bitumen roof.
Highest UL 2218 hail-impact rating for shingles.
Some NM carriers give a premium discount for Class 4 — ask your agent before you re-roof.
Reflective coating or membrane that reduces heat absorption.
Metal or masonry cap on top of a parapet wall.
The upper piece of flashing that overlaps base flashing at a wall.
Small peaked structure behind a chimney or wide penetration to divert water.
The plywood or OSB surface fastened to rafters.
L-shaped metal at eaves and rakes that directs water into gutters.
The lower edge of a sloped roof that overhangs the wall.
Ethylene propylene diene monomer — a black synthetic rubber single-ply membrane.
The vertical board behind the gutter along the eave.
Asphalt-saturated paper installed under shingles. Largely replaced by synthetic underlayments today.
Sheet metal used to waterproof transitions, penetrations, and edges.
See also · Apron flashing · Counterflashing · Step flashing
Sprayed polyurethane foam roofing common on NM flat roofs.
Great insulator, but needs a fresh silicone or acrylic recoat every 8–12 years or UV eats it.
See also · Recoat
Bare spots where mineral granules have washed off shingles.
Some loss is normal in year 1; heavy loss after a hailstorm is a claim-worthy finding.
Self-adhering waterproof membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations.
NM note · Required at eaves in higher-elevation NM towns (Ruidoso, Angel Fire, Taos).
Ridge of ice at the eave that traps meltwater behind it.
A shingle's rated ability to withstand hail without cracking.
See also · Class 4
Small angled flashing at the base of a wall-to-roof transition that kicks water into the gutter.
Missing kick-outs are the #1 cause of hidden wall rot behind stucco in Albuquerque.
The single sheet of TPO, PVC, or EPDM that waterproofs a flat roof.
Asphalt membrane modified with rubber or plastic, applied in rolls.
The manufacturer-specified strip on a shingle where nails must be placed.
High nails are the most common install defect I document — they void most warranties.
Coating or foam that lands where it shouldn't (walls, windows, HVAC).
The short wall around the perimeter of a flat roof.
Water that sits on a flat roof more than 48 hours after rain.
Not always a defect, but chronic ponding shortens membrane life and can void warranties.
Horizontal member supporting the roof deck between rafters or trusses.
Heat-weldable thermoplastic membrane — durable and chemical resistant.
Sloped structural member supporting the roof deck.
The sloped edge of a gable roof.
Fresh silicone/acrylic layer applied over an existing flat or foam roof.
See also · Foam roof (SPF)
The horizontal peak where two roof planes meet.
Continuous vent along the ridge that exhausts attic air.
Roof underlayment or breathable membrane laid over the deck.
The written specification of exactly what a roofer will do.
A good SOW makes bids comparable and holds the contractor accountable.
See also · Bidder
An opening in a parapet wall that drains water off a flat roof.
See Deck.
High-solids coating used to recoat SPF and flat roofs.
NM note · Silicone handles NM UV better than acrylic — expect 10+ year performance if applied at proper mils.
The raised wood frame a skylight sits on.
The underside of the roof overhang.
Intake vent in the soffit that pairs with a ridge vent for balanced attic ventilation.
Concrete or plastic block at a downspout outlet that directs water away from foundation.
Metal panel roof with raised, mechanically-seamed joints.
L-shaped pieces of metal woven into shingle courses along a wall.
Thermoplastic polyolefin — heat-weldable white single-ply membrane.
Engineered triangular framework supporting the roof.
The water-resistant layer between the deck and finished roof.
See also · Felt (underlayment) · Ice and water shield
The internal angle where two roof slopes meet — where water concentrates.
Membrane that prevents water vapor from moving through the roof assembly.
Equal intake and exhaust airflow through the attic.
Unbalanced ventilation causes early shingle failure and ice-damming in higher elevations.
Metal that seals a roof-to-wall transition.
Force that lifts a roof covering off its deck during high winds.
NM note · The West Mesa and East Mountains both see wind loads that require enhanced fastening patterns.
Send it my way — I'll add it and answer within a business day.
Three roofers wanted $32k after the June hailstorm. Roof Doctor NM walked the roof, took 84 photos, and said the hail was cosmetic. Saved me from a fraudulent claim.
Under contract on a Corrales house. The pre-purchase report caught two hidden layers the seller's disclosure missed. Got an $18k credit at closing.
Bid review flagged that the 'lifetime warranty' voided if we used the wrong underlayment — which the contractor had specced. Renegotiated the whole scope.
