Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Glossary

This plain-English glossary lists stone-coated metal roofing terms and related roofing language in one place. These are commonly used terms in the industry so homeowners can look them up when needed and feel confident during quotes, installs, and inspections.

Term	Plain-English meaning	Why it matters
Acrylic binder	The glue that holds stone granules or pigments on the panel	Keeps color and texture attached to the steel for years
Anti-capillary channel	Small groove where parts overlap that helps stop water from sneaking uphill	Reduces leaks at seams and laps
Attic ventilation	Fresh air in at the eaves and out at the ridge	Controls heat and moisture which protects comfort and materials
ASTM E1980 SRI test	Lab method that calculates Solar Reflectance Index	Lets you compare how cool different colors and coatings are
Batten system	Panels fastened to raised wood strips	Can improve airflow and help level uneven decks
Battenless system	Panels fastened directly to the deck	Lower profile look and faster installs on flat decks
Boot pipe boot	Rubber or metal cover that seals around a pipe	Keeps rain out where plumbing vents pass through the roof
Butyl tape	Sticky flexible tape used under laps and flashings	Adds a long-lasting water block that stays flexible
Class A fire rating	Highest roof rating for fire resistance	Often required by code and favored by insurers
Closure strip	Foam or metal piece that fills rib gaps	Blocks wind-driven rain pests and dust at edges and ridges
Cool Roof Rating Council CRRC	Group that lists reflectance and emittance values	Third-party numbers you can trust when choosing colors
Corrosion resistance	Ability to fight rust	Protects your investment especially in humid or coastal areas
Dead load	Constant weight of roof and structure	Ensures framing can safely carry the system
Decking	Wood layer under the roof often plywood or OSB	Must be sound and flat for a long-lasting install
Dormer	Small roofed projection with a window	Adds flashing details that must be sealed correctly
Drip edge	Metal trim along the eave that directs water into gutters	Protects deck edges and guides water flow
Eave	Lower edge of the roof where water drips off	Key spot for underlayment drip edge and intake vents
Edge creep	Rust that starts at cut edges and spreads inward	Good edge paint and coatings help stop it
Emissivity	How fast a surface gives off stored heat	Higher numbers help the roof cool after sunset
Energy efficient metal roof	Roof assembly that reflects sun and releases heat quickly	Lowers attic temperature and AC run time
Energy Star roofing	Program that listed cool roofing products	Reference point for energy-saving color choices
Exposure	The visible portion after installation	Helps align panels and trims evenly
Fascia	Vertical trim board at the roof edge	Supports gutters and finishes the eave
Fasteners	Screws that hold panels and trims	Correct type and placement prevent leaks and rust
Flashing	Formed metal that turns water away at joints	The main defense against leaks at walls valleys and chimneys
Foam backer	Thin foam layer under some panels	Can quiet the roof and smooth minor waves
Gable	Sloped roof edge that meets a triangle wall	Needs rake trim to finish and seal side edges
Galvanic corrosion	Rust caused when different metals touch with moisture present	Match metals and fasteners to avoid early damage
Galvanized steel	Steel coated with zinc	Durable base metal for roofing
Galvalume steel	Steel coated with aluminum-zinc alloy	Excellent long-term rust resistance especially at edges
Gauge	Metal thickness number lower means thicker	Common gauges are 26 and 24 for strength and weight
Granules	Small stone chips bonded to the panel surface	Create the classic shake tile or shingle look
Gutter apron	Flashing that bridges roof edge to gutter	Helps keep water from getting behind the gutter
Headwall flashing	Metal where a roof runs into a vertical wall	Stops water at siding or masonry transitions
Hip	Outside corner where two roof slopes meet	Finished with hip caps to shed water
High-temp underlayment	Heat-resistant membrane under panels	Important in hot Texas attics and low slopes
Ice and water shield	Peel-and-stick waterproof membrane	Extra defense at valleys chimneys and low slopes
Intake vent	Vent at eaves or soffits that lets air in	Works with ridge vent for steady airflow
Jack	Another word for a boot around a pipe	Same leak-prevention role as a pipe boot
Kickout flashing	Diverter at the bottom of a wall where it meets the roof	Pushes water into the gutter and away from siding
Lap	Where one panel overlaps another	Needs correct sealant and screws to stay watertight
Linear feet	Straight-line measurement for trims and flashings	Helps estimate materials and cost
Lifetime warranty	Long-term coverage on materials or finish	Know the terms transfer rules and care needs
Metal roof ceramic coating	Smooth painted cool-roof finish on metal	Higher reflectance for heat control on some projects
Miami-Dade NOA	Approval for high-wind regions	Shows the system passed tough wind and water tests
Mil thickness	Coating thickness in thousandths of an inch	Too thin wears early correct build lasts longer
Module	Standard panel length or exposure pattern	Guides layout and ordering
Moisture barrier	Layer that limits moisture movement	Helps prevent rot mold and corrosion
NRCA	National Roofing Contractors Association	Source for industry guidelines and best practices
Nailer	Wood piece added to support trim or flashing	Provides solid fastening where framing is missing
Oil canning	Waviness in flat metal areas	Stone-coated textures help hide it
Open valley	Valley with exposed metal flashing	Drains fast and is easy to service
Overhang	How far panels extend past the fascia	Keeps water off walls and trim when sized right
Panel profile	The shape and look of the panel face	Shake tile or shingle profiles match older homes
Penetration	Anything that passes through the roof	Must be flashed and sealed correctly
Pitch	Roof steepness measured as rise over run	Affects safety materials and water flow
Pro-rated warranty	Coverage that declines as the roof ages	Sets fair expectations for long-term coverage
Purlin	Horizontal wood or metal member panels fasten to	Used in batten or retrofit systems
PVDF coating	High-end paint system for smooth metal	Strong color hold and chalk resistance
Quote by satellite	Measurement using aerial or satellite images	Fast no-visit pricing that is accurate
R-value	Insulation’s resistance to heat flow	Higher numbers mean better insulation performance
Re-roof vs tear-off	New roof over old vs removal first	Code weight and deck condition decide the method
Ridge	Horizontal top line of a roof	Finished with a ridge cap for weather-tightness
Ridge cap	Trim that covers the ridge	Keeps out wind-driven rain and pests
Ridge vent	Slot along the ridge with a vented cap	Lets hot air escape for steady attic airflow
Rise	Vertical height over a given run	Part of the pitch calculation
Run	Horizontal distance used with rise	Helps crews lay out panels
SRI Solar Reflectance Index	Score that blends reflectance and emissivity	Higher numbers usually mean a cooler roof
Saddle or cricket	Small roof built behind a chimney	Splits water to prevent ponding and leaks
Sealant	Roofing caulk or adhesive at laps and trims	Must match the system so it stays flexible and bonds
Self-tapping screw	Screw that drills and taps its own hole	Speeds install and holds tight in wood or metal
Sidewall flashing	Flashing where roof meets a wall along the slope	Stops water that rides the joint
SMP coating	Silicone-modified polyester paint	Good performance on many smooth metal roofs
Soffit	Underside of eaves often with intake vents	Fresh air enters here to feed the ridge vent
Square	Roofing area of 100 square feet	Standard unit for pricing and material counts
Starter strip	First strip or panel at the eave edge	Locks the first course and sets alignment
Standing seam	Smooth vertical-rib metal system	A modern option sometimes used on historic projects
Step flashing	Overlapping L-shaped pieces along sidewalls	Time-tested leak control for shingle-like patterns
Stone-coated metal	Textured metal panels with bonded stone granules	Delivers the look of shake tile or shingle with metal strength
Storm collar	Metal ring around a pipe above the boot	Sheds water and protects the boot seal
Substrate	The base metal such as Galvanized or Galvalume	Foundation of the system’s durability
Synthetic underlayment	Plastic-based sheet under the roof	Resists tearing and heat better than felt
Thermal break	Insulating layer that separates hot and cold surfaces	Helps reduce condensation and heat transfer
Thermal movement	Expansion and contraction from temperature changes	Correct fastening and slots prevent stress and noise
UL 2218 hail rating	Impact resistance test for roofing	Class 4 is the top rating and can help with insurance
UL 790 fire rating	Fire test for roofing	Class A is the top rating and often required by code
Valley	Inside corner where two roof planes meet	High-flow area that needs strong flashing and cleanup
Valley metal	Pre-bent flashing for valleys	Guides water quickly to the eave or gutter
Vapor barrier	Layer that limits water vapor movement	Helps prevent condensation and mold
Vent stack	Pipe vent for plumbing that exits the roof	Needs a boot and storm collar to stay dry
Ventilation ratio	Guide such as 1 to 150 or 1 to 300 for attic vents	Ensures enough intake and exhaust for a healthy attic
Warranty finish	Coverage on color and chalking	Protects the look of the roof over time
Warranty material	Coverage on the metal and core product	Backs the bones of the system against defects
Warranty workmanship	Coverage on the installer’s labor	Fixes issues that come from how it was installed
Weep channel	Small path that lets trapped water drain	Reduces leaks at laps and trims
Wind uplift rating	How well a roof stays put in strong winds	Important in open and coastal parts of Texas
Z-flashing	Z-shaped trim that bridges siding layers	Keeps water from sneaking behind finishes
Zinc-aluminum coating	Another name for Galvalume	Long-lasting corrosion protection for steel panels