Single Ply roofing systems are just that, a single ply of a roofing material made from several types of polymer plastics and rubbers. EPDM Roofing Systems are a high performance synthetic rubber compound which provides outstanding weather characteristics. Single ply roofing systems use large rolls of waterproof materials joined together to form a single thickness of roof covering that can be applied over a variety of substrates and in a variety of attachment methods. These are typically light in weight, reinforced, and reflective for improved energy conservation and ecologically friendly application.

Slate roofs require little maintenance are very resistant to molding and insects and are fire proof. Slate is a heavy roofing material and can only be used on roofs that properly supported for such weight. Most residential homes would require additional materials and labor to increase the roofs strength, adding to the expense of installing a slate roof. Should your slate roof need to be repaired it is important to have the work done by a roofing contractor experienced with slate. Not only does slate require a certain amount of expertise to install correctly it is a brittle material which can crack and/or break if walked on. The decline in popularity of slate can largely be tied to the advent of cheaper and easier to install materials, asphalt shingles being chief among them.

While slate is the most expensive roofing material on the market it is also the most durable and one of the more attractive. Literally cut from slabs of stone slate roof tiles are most commonly grey but do occur in a variety of colors. Prices for slate commonly range from $600-$1000 per square compared to the price of asphalt shingles which is in the $60-$100 per square range. On the upside, slate roofs regularly last over 100 years and in rare occasions have been known to last twice that long!  

Slope:  The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in inches, to the run, in feet.

Smooth-surfaced roofing: Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules (coated).

Soffit: The finished underside of the eaves.   

Soil stack: A vent pipe that penetrates the roof. 

Span: The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.  

Specialty eaves flashing membrane: A self-adhering, waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect against water infiltration due to ice dams or wind-driven rain.

Square: A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet.

Square-tab shingles: Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.