When it comes to roofing, knowing the terminology can help homeowners make informed decisions and communicate more effectively with contractors. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common roofing terms used in the industry:
Abutment
A point where the roof meets a wall, creating a joint that requires flashing (abutment flashing) to prevent leaks.
Barge Board
A decorative board that covers the ends of the roof rafters at the gable end of a roof.
Butterfly Roof
A V-shaped roof with two sections that slope inward towards the centre, resembling butterfly wings. This design helps in water collection. This roof design is often found on modern buildings with a goal of helping to improve sustainability with recycling rainwater.
Chimney
A vertical structure that provides ventilation for smoke or gases from fireplaces or heating systems inside of a building. Chimneys protrude through the roof and can deteriorate through exposure to weather conditions. Expert roofers are often required to assist with chimney repairs.
Chimney Flashing
Lead or metal material that wraps tightly around the base of the chimney to prevent water from leaking into the roof. If chimney flashing is leaking or damaged and requires replacing, you will need an experienced roofing contractor to carry out the repair work.
Cold Roof
A roof design in which ventilation keeps the roof space cold, helping to prevent condensation. The difference between a cold roof and a warm roof is the position in which the insulation is located. In a cold roof, the insulation is located between the rafters and allows for a thinner roof build up.
Course
In roofing terminology, a course is a horizontal row of shingles or tiles on the roof.
Domed Roof
A rounded, hemispherical roof often used in classical architecture. It’s visually striking and designed for strength and stability.
Dormer
A roof structure that projects outward and contains a window, allowing light and additional headspace in upper rooms.
Downspout
Vertical pipes that carry rainwater from the roof gutters down to the ground or a drainage system. Downspouts are also commonly known as waterspouts, downpipes, drain spout and roof drain pipes.
Drip Edge
A metal flashing that is installed along the edges of the roof to direct water away from the fascia and into the gutters, preventing water damage to the roof deck. They are particularly useful for low-slope and flat roofs.
Eaves
The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the building’s walls. The eaves help to direct rainwater away from the walls and foundation.
Fascia
A horizontal board running along the edge of the roof that covers the ends of the roof rafters. It’s often where gutters are attached. When roof fascias need replacing it is advisable to use a qualified roofing company.
Felt Underlay
A protective layer of breathable membrane installed under the roof cladding to provide extra waterproofing.
Field of a Roof
This refers to the main, extensive area of the roof excluding its edges, ridges, and valleys. It’s essentially the broad, flat surface of the roof.
Flashing
Thin, waterproof material (typically lead or metal) is installed at roof joints, around vents, chimneys, or skylights to prevent water leaks.
Gable
A triangular portion of the wall that sits between the two slopes of a roof. Gables are typically found in traditional pitched roofs.
Gable End
The vertical wall at the end of a building that has gable. It’s the portion that extends from the eaves to the peak of the roof.
Gambrel
A two-sided roof with two slopes on each side, where the lower slope is steeper. This design is often seen in barns and traditional colonial houses.
Gauge
The measurement used to describe the thickness of roofing materials like metal sheets or shingles.
Gutter Apron
A flashing piece that directs water into the gutters from the edges of the roof, preventing water damage to the fascia. Its functionality is very similar in nature to a drip edge but usually made of a different material and shape.
Gutters
Channels attached to the eaves, designed to collect and direct rainwater away from the roof and foundation of the building.
Headlap
The section of overlapping roofing material that covers the row directly below, ensuring water runs off properly.
Hip Roof
Hip roofs have four sides, all sloping towards the walls. These roofs do not have a gable end. They are commonly used for church roofs and roofs where there is a steep pitch.
Parapet
A low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace, often used for safety or aesthetic purposes.
Pitched Roof
A roof with a noticeable slope (over 10 degrees), which helps in directing water runoff efficiently. They are the common roof type used for residential homes.
Purlin
A purlin is a horizontal beam (or crossbar), typically made from timber, that supports the roof deck and runs parallel to the ridge. They can also be present in steel frame structures too. Purlins add structural strength to the roof, roofing working together with the rafters (the sturdy legs of the roof frame).
Ridge
The roof ridge is the highest horizontal line of a roof, where two sloping roof sections meet. It is often capped with ridge tiles or shingles to provide a watertight seal.
Roof
The uppermost covering of a building, designed to protect against weather elements like rain, sun, wind, and snow. Roofs can come in various shapes and style and are often made from various materials depending on the specific function of the roof. Example roof types include pitched roof, flat roof and hip roof.
Roof Cap
A ridge cover that seals the peak of the roof and prevents water infiltration.
Roof Cavity
The space between the roof and the ceiling, often used to house insulation and utilities.
Roof Cladding
The external layer of the roof or sometimes an additional layer added to the roof to improve protection from external elements. Roof cladding can be made from various materials including shingles, tiles, metal, or other materials, to provide a waterproof seal.
Roof Insulation
Material placed within the roof cavity to prevent heat loss and improve energy efficiency. Roof insulation materials include fibreglass, foam board and foils.
Roof Joists
Horizontal beams, typically made from timber that support the roof deck or sheathing. Roof joists are critical to the structural integrity of the roof. They sometimes lay flat and sometimes are pitched depending on the design of the specific roof.
Roofs or Rooves
The standard plural term for 'roof' in the UK is "roofs". This is the recognised plural in the Oxford English dictionary. Rooves is considered correct but of minimal use and more of an archaic version. Roofs is more commonly used today.
Saddle of a Roof
A small raised section on the roof that diverts water away from obstructions like chimneys or skylights.
Sheathing / Decking
Roof sheathing (otherwise knowing as roof decking) are the boards or panels laid over the roof joists to form the base for roof covering materials. Often made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
Skylight
A window installed in the roof to allow natural light into the building. Skylights can be fixed or operable.
Soffit
A horizontal panelling that runs on the underside of the eaves, often ventilated to allow airflow into the attic. They are an important part of the roof construction to prevent water damage and moisture build up.
Substrate
The roof substrate is the surface or layer on which the roof system is installed. It could be the roof deck or existing roofing material and acts as a base layer for the roof.
Truss
A framework of beams and rafters that supports the roof, distributing weight evenly and providing structural stability. A roof truss is usually made from timber.
Roof Valley
The internal angle where two sloping roof sections meet at the bottom. Valleys often require special flashing to prevent water from pooling in them.
Vaulted Roof
A roof structure that features a high, arched design, creating an open and spacious interior. They are often self-supporting and resemble a tunnel-like appearance.
Vent Pipe
A pipe protruding from the roof that allows for the release of gases from a building’s plumbing system. It’s vital for maintaining proper air pressure within the plumbing.
Void
An empty or unoccupied space within the roof structure, often left for ventilation or access purposes.
Warm Roof
A roof construction where insulation is placed above the roof deck, keeping the roof deck warm and minimising condensation risks.
Knowing these roofing terms can help you understand the structure of your roof, allowing for easier discussions with roofing contractors. It will allow you to make more informed decisions about repairs or upgrades being proposed by the roofing team. If you have any questions or need professional roofing services, don't hesitate to reach out to Barnabas Roofing.
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