Glossary

Asphalt shingles - These are the most common form of shingle in use today. They are also known as composition shingles and are reinforced with fiberglass or paper.

Clay shingles – These overlap and interlock. They do not absorb as much heat as many other options, so are a good choice for homes in warmer climates.

Contractor - An expert in the construction industry who hires skilled and unskilled workers to actually construct a financed project. A contractor must be licensed by an examining board before they can bid on the project. This bid is based on the estimated cost of the building materials, the wages of subcontractors and laborers, and the contractor's fee for coordinating the project.

Landscaping pavers –Paving tiles manufactured especially for outdoor landscaping projects. These landscape pavers not only come in different sizes and shapes but also in different colors.

Lawn irrigation – Using sprinklers in yards to keep lawns and vegetation from drying out and dying. These range from simple to elaborate.

Lawn irrigation systems – Sprinklers used in the yards of homes or businesses. These include impact sprinklers, oscillating sprinklers, drip sprinklers, and underground sprinkler systems. Small sprinklers are available at home and garden stores or hardware stores for small costs.

Metal shingles – Roofing material made of aluminum, steel and copper. These are very much coming back into style. They are generally made from steel, aluminum, tin or copper.

Outdoor kitchen – Outdoor kitchens can be small and simple or as elaborate as any indoor kitchen. Typically they include a grill, a counter area for prepping and serving food, and a dining counter or table.

Painter - A tradesman responsible for painting and decorating buildings. They cover the interior and exterior of houses or commercial buildings with paint.

Remodeling – Changing a part of a house or a business so it is larger, more enjoyable, and more attractive, or to make better use of available space. Some examples are updating a kitchen to make it more efficient, turning an ordinary bathroom into a haven of rest and relaxation, or adding a room to meet the needs of a growing family.

Re-roof –A re-roof generally means your roofing contractor leaves the existing layer of shingles and applies the new shingles over the existing layer after carefully examining and preparing the surface.

Roof replacement – When you need an entirely new roof because the roof is old or falling apart.

Roof shingles - Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping pieces. These pieces are typically flat rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive higher row overlapping the joints in the row below.

Slate shingles - These are basically shingle-like slivers of rock. Slate is an option you will often see on more upscale properties and can add a very natural look to your home.

Wood shingles - Generally manufactured from cedar, spruce or treated pine, wood shingles are machine cut and smooth on both sides, while hand split shakes are generally rough on the front and smooth on the back.