Definition

Noun: A heavy, durable paper or felt that has been saturated or coated with tar. This material is primarily used in construction as a waterproofing layer, especially beneath roofing shingles or on low-slope roofs to prevent water infiltration.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The roofer installed a layer of tar paper before laying the asphalt shingles.
  • For the shed's flat roof, we used tar paper as the primary moisture barrier.

Advanced Usage

• As a generic term: While "tar paper" is a common term, in modern building codes and specifications, it is often referred to more precisely as "asphalt-saturated felt" or "roofing underlayment," as many contemporary products use asphalt rather than coal tar.
• In historical context: Tar paper was a fundamental waterproofing material in early 20th-century construction before the widespread use of synthetic membranes.

Variants and Related Words

• Roofing felt (n): A more general term for the heavy paper or mat used as underlayment, which may be saturated with asphalt or tar.
• Underlayment (n): The broader category of materials installed beneath the primary roofing layer; tar paper is one type of underlayment.

Synonyms

• Asphalt felt
• Saturated felt
• Roofing paper

Related Phrases

• To lay tar paper: The process of installing the material.
  • The next step is to lay the tar paper over the roof deck.
• Tar paper shield: A metaphorical use describing a protective, impermeable barrier.
  • His gruff demeanor was just a tar paper shield over a sensitive nature.

Noun

1. a heavy paper impregnated with tar and used as part of a roof for waterproofing