Roofing & Insurance Glossary

Algae-resistant shingles incorporate copper- or zinc-coated granules that release small amounts of metal ions in rain, inhibiting the growth of Gloeocapsa magma — the cyanobacterium responsible for the dark streaks seen on many older asphalt roofs. AR warranties are typically 10–25 years and are a separate line item from the underlying shingle warranty.

Architectural shingles — also called dimensional or laminate shingles — are multi-layered asphalt shingles with a varied, three-dimensional appearance that mimics shake or slate. They typically carry 30-year to lifetime limited warranties, higher wind ratings (110–130 mph standard), and are the dominant residential product on the Front Range.

See also: Asphalt Shingle Roofing

A cosmetic damage exclusion is a policy endorsement excluding coverage for hail or wind damage that affects only the appearance — not the function or service life — of metal roofs, gutters, or siding. These exclusions have spread quickly across Colorado homeowner policies and are one of the most consequential coverage changes a homeowner should check before storm season.

A cricket — also called a saddle — is a small, ridge-shaped framed structure installed on the high side of a chimney or other roof obstruction to divert water and snow around it rather than letting it pond against the back face. The IRC requires a cricket on any chimney 30 inches wide or wider as measured perpendicular to the slope.

The deductible is the amount the homeowner pays out of pocket before insurance coverage applies to a claim. It is set by the policy and may be a flat dollar figure or a percentage of dwelling coverage. Colorado law prohibits contractors from waiving, rebating, or absorbing a homeowner's insurance deductible.

Why it matters: Any contractor offering to 'eat your deductible' is asking you to commit insurance fraud — walk away.

Drip edge is L-shaped metal flashing installed along the eaves and rakes. It directs runoff into the gutter, prevents water from wicking back under the shingles, and protects the fascia board from rot. Drip edge is required by the IRC on all asphalt shingle roofs and is a frequently-missed Xactimate line item on claims.

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a synthetic rubber single-ply membrane used on low-slope and flat roofs. It is highly weather- and ozone-resistant, available in 45, 60, and 90 mil thicknesses, and seamed with adhesive tape or liquid-applied bonding agents. EPDM is most commonly installed in black, though white versions exist.

Flashing is sheet metal — usually aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper — installed at joints and transitions to seal against water intrusion. It is used around chimneys, skylights, walls, vents, and in valleys. Failed or improperly installed flashing is one of the most common sources of roof leaks, regardless of shingle condition.

Functional damage compromises a roof covering's ability to shed water and reach its expected service life — fractured mats, sealant failure, displaced granules over impact craters. Cosmetic damage affects appearance without shortening service life — for example, dented metal panels that still drain. The distinction is central to whether a hail loss is paid as a replacement.

Granule loss is the displacement of the protective ceramic-coated mineral granules from the shingle surface, exposing the asphalt below. It can be caused by hail impact, foot traffic, age-related weathering, or manufacturing defect. Hail-driven granule loss is typically clustered with circular impact patterns rather than distributed evenly across the slope.

A hip is the external angle where two adjacent roof slopes meet; a hip roof is a roof style where all sides slope downward toward the walls, with no vertical gable ends. Hip roofs perform better in high-wind events than gable roofs because every edge is anchored, which is why some insurers offer wind mitigation discounts for hip-roof homes.

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the eave of a roof when heat escaping into the attic melts snow on upper slopes; meltwater then refreezes at the colder eave overhang. The dam blocks subsequent meltwater, which backs up under the shingles and into the home — the failure mode ice & water shield is designed to prevent.

An independent adjuster is a third-party claims professional contracted by the insurance carrier — not employed in-house — to inspect losses and write scope. They work for the insurer's interests, not the homeowner's, even though they are not staff. During major catastrophe events most field adjusters in Colorado are independents brought in from out of state.

MESH (Maximum Estimated Size of Hail) is a NEXRAD radar-derived product, calculated by the MRMS system, that estimates the largest hail likely to have reached the ground at each radar pixel during a storm. MESH is widely used by insurers, public adjusters, and forensic meteorologists to corroborate hail-loss dates and locations.

Why it matters: Carriers increasingly cross-check claim dates against MESH grids, so accurate date-of-loss matters.

Modified bitumen is an asphalt-based commercial roofing material reinforced with polymer modifiers (SBS or APP) and a fiberglass or polyester mat. It is installed in multiple plies — torch-applied, hot-mopped, cold-adhered, or self-adhered — producing a redundant, layered membrane well-suited to the temperature swings on Colorado commercial buildings.

A roofing permit is a building-department authorization required for most residential and commercial roof replacements in Colorado jurisdictions. The permit triggers inspection of nailing, ice & water shield, and final installation. Pulling the permit is the contractor's responsibility on most projects, and a missing permit can complicate future home sales and warranty claims.

Pre-existing damage is damage that existed on the roof before the date of loss claimed in an insurance event — for example, weathering, mechanical scuffs, or prior hail strikes from earlier seasons. Carriers often dispute claims by asserting damage is pre-existing; clear date-stamped inspection records and historic radar data (MESH) are the strongest counter-evidence.

A public adjuster is a state-licensed claims professional hired and paid by the homeowner to document the loss and negotiate with the insurance carrier on the homeowner's behalf. In Colorado, public adjusters must hold an active license through the Division of Insurance and disclose their fee in writing before representation begins.

Recoverable depreciation is the portion of the claim withheld by the insurer at first payment, reflecting depreciation already deducted from RCV. It is released to the homeowner — typically by supplemental check — once the repairs are completed and the final invoice plus any supplements are approved by the carrier.

Replacement Cost Value is the full cost to replace damaged property with materials of like kind and quality, without deduction for depreciation. RCV policies pay out in two stages: ACV up front, then recoverable depreciation after the work is finished and the contractor's final invoice is submitted.

Ridge cap shingles are the specially-shaped pieces that cover the peak (ridge) and hips of a roof. On dimensional-shingle roofs, the manufacturer-matched ridge cap (not field shingles cut into thirds) is required to maintain wind and impact warranties. Ridge cap is also where most ridge-vent systems are integrated.

Standing seam is a metal roofing system with vertical raised seams between panels, joined by either snap-lock or mechanically-seamed profiles, with concealed fasteners under the panels. The hidden-fastener design eliminates exposed-screw failure points and gives standing seam its long service life — commonly 50+ years when properly installed.

See also: Metal Roofing

The Statement of Loss (sometimes called Scope of Loss or Sworn Statement) is the adjuster's written assessment of damaged items, quantities, and replacement cost — the document that defines what the carrier agrees to pay for. Reviewing this document line-by-line against actual roof conditions is where most missed line items get caught.

Step flashing is a series of small, L-shaped metal pieces interwoven with each course of shingles where a roof slope meets a vertical wall. Each piece overlaps the one below, creating a watertight, shingled seal. Step flashing must be replaced — not reused — when the adjacent siding is removed or the roof is torn off.

A supplement is a request to add line items, quantities, or code-required upgrades to an approved claim after the original scope has been written. Supplements are common on roofing claims because adjusters often miss items like drip edge, ice & water shield, satellite reset, or code-mandated decking. Each supplement requires documentation and carrier approval before payment.

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is a single-ply commercial roofing membrane made of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. Seams are heat-welded for a monolithic seal, and the white surface reflects solar heat, contributing to lower cooling loads. TPO is one of the most-installed commercial flat-roof systems in the United States today.

See also: Commercial Roofing

Underlayment is the water-resistant layer installed directly over the decking and beneath the shingles. It can be traditional asphalt-saturated felt (#15 or #30) or a synthetic woven polymer sheet. Synthetic underlayments are lighter, stronger, and more tear-resistant, and are now standard on quality residential installations.

Wind uplift is the lifting force exerted on a roof covering when wind flowing over the surface creates a low-pressure zone above and a higher-pressure zone in the attic below. Sustained or gusting wind uplift can break the thermal sealant strip between shingle courses, creating loose tabs that are then vulnerable to subsequent storms.

A workmanship warranty is the contractor's written guarantee covering installation labor — distinct from the manufacturer's material warranty on the shingles themselves. It typically covers leaks, flashing failures, and improperly seated fasteners caused by installer error. Length and transferability vary by contractor and are worth confirming in writing before contract signing.

Red Hawk note: Red Hawk's workmanship warranty: 5-Year Workmanship Warranty.

See also: Our Warranty