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AAMA
American Architectural Manufacturers Association
Abrasion Resistance
the ability to resist being worn away by contact with another moving, abrasive surface, such as foot traffic, mechanical equipment, wind-blown particles, etc.
Absorption
the ability of a material to accept within its body, quantities of gases or liquid, such as moisture.
Accelerated Weathering
the exposure of a specimen to a specified test environment for a specified time with the intent of producing in a shorter time period, effects similar to actual weathering.
ACI
American Concrete Institute
Acid etch
in waterproofing, the use of a strong acid to remove the surface of concrete to expose the aggregate.
ACIL
American Council of Independent Laboratories
Acrylic coating
a liquid coating system based on an acrylic resin. Generally, a latex-based coating system that cures by air drying.
Acrylic resin
polymers of acrylic or methacrylic monomers. Often used as a latex base for coating systems.
Active metal (anodic)
a metal or material that readily gives up electrons to a cathodic (noble) material. (See anodic). An active metal will corrode in the presence of moisture when in contact with a cathodic metal.
Adhere
to cause two surfaces to be held together by adhesion, typically with asphalt or roofing cements in built-up roofing and with contact cements in some single-ply membranes.
Adhesion
steady or firm attachment.
Adhesive bond break
a material to facilitate independent movement between two units that would otherwise bond together.
AFA
American Fiberboard Association
AGC
Associated General Contractors of America
Aged R-value
thermal resistance value established by utilizing artificial conditioning procedures for a prescribed time period.
Aggregate
(1) crushed stone, crushed slag or water-worn gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof system; (2) any grandular material.
Aging
the effect on materials that are exposed to an environment for an interval of time.
AHA
American Hardboard Association
AIA
American Institute of Architects
Air Leakage
the unintended movement of air from a location where it is intended to be contained to another location.
Alligatoring
the cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a bituminous roof or coating on a SPF roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an alligator's hide; the cracks may not extend completely through the surfacing bitumen or coating.
Aluminized Steel
sheet steel with a thin aluminum coating bonded to the surface to enhance weathering characteristics.
Aluminum
a nonrusting, malleable metal sometimes used for metal roofing and flashing.
Ambient Temperature
the temperature of the air; air temperature.
Anodic
a metal or material that readily gives up electrons to a cathodic material in the presence of a electrolyte (see Galvanic series).
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
Anticapillary hem
a hem used in a metal panel seam to reduce the potential for water migration.
APA
American Plywood Association
APC
American Plastics Council.
APC/SPFA
American Plastics Council/Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance.
APP
see Atactic Polypropylene.
Application Rate
the average quantity (mass, volume, or thickness) of material applied per unit area.
Apron Flashing
a term used for a flashing located at the juncture of the top of the sloped roof and a vertical wall, chimney or steeper-sloped roof.
Architectural panel
a metal roof panel, typically a double standing seam or batten seam; usually requires solid decking underneath and relies on slope to shed water.
Architectural shingle
an asphalt shingle that provides a dimensional appearance.
Area divider
a raised, flashed assembly typically a single- or double-wood member attached to a wood base plate, that is anchored to the roof deck. It is used to accommodate thermal stresses in a roof system where an expansion joint is not required, or to separate large roof areas or separate roof systems comprised of different/incompatible materials, and may be used to facilitate installation of tapered insulation.
Area practices
design or application techniques peculiar to a specific geographical region.
ARMA
Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
ASA
American Subcontractors Association
Asbestos
a group of natural, fibrous, impure silicate materials.
ASC
Associated Specialty Contractors
ASHI
American Society of Home Inspectors
ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
Asphalt
a dark brown or black substance found in a natural state or, more commonly, left as a residue after evaporating or otherwise processing crude oil or petroleum. Asphalt may be further refined to conform to various roofing grade specifications: Dead-Level Asphalt: a roofing asphalt conforming to the requirements of ASTM Specification D 312, Type I. Flat Asphalt: a roofing asphalt conforming to the requirements of ASTM Specification D 312, Type II. Steep Asphalt: a roofing asphalt conforming to the requirements of ASTM Specification D 312, Type III. Special Steep Asphalt: a roofing asphalt conforming to the requirements of ASTM Specification D 312, Type IV.
Asphalt emulsion
a mixture of asphalt particles and an emulsifying agent, such as bentonite clay and water.
Asphalt felt
an asphalt-saturated and/or asphalt-coated felt (see Felt).
Asphalt primer
see Primer.
Asphalt roof cement
a trowelable mixture of solvent-based bitumen, mineral stabilizers, other fibers and/or fillers. Classified by ASTM Standard D 2822-91 Asphalt Roof Cement, and D 4586-92 Asphalt Roof Cement, Asbestos-Free, Types I and II. Type I is sometimes referred to as "plastic cement," and is made from asphalt characterized as self-sealing, adhesive and ductile, and conforming to ASTM Specification D 312, Type I; Specification D 449, Types I or II; or Specification D 946 (see Plastic cement and Flashing cement.) Type II is generally referred to as "vertical-grade flashing cement," and is made from asphalt characterized by a high softening point and relatively low ductility, and conforming to the requirement of ASTM Specification D 312, Types II or III; or Specification D 449, Type III. (see Plastic cement and Flashing cement.)
Asphalt shingle
a shingle manufactured by coating a reinforcing material (felt or fibrous glass mat) with asphalt and having mineral granules on the side exposed to the weather. (see Shingle)
Asphalt, Air blown
asphalt produced by blowing air through molten asphalt to raise its softening point and modify othr properties.
Asphaltene
a high molecular weight hydrocarbon fraction precipitated from asphalt by a designated solvent (paraffinic naphtha) at a specified temperature and solvent-asphalt ratio.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials.
Atactic polypropylene
a group of high molecular weight polymers formed by the polymerization of propylene.
Attic
the cavity or open space above the ceiling and immediately under the roof deck of a steep-sloped roof.
AWPA
American Wood Preservatives Association
AWS
American Welding Society
