Term
|
Description
|
Abutment
|
The junction of a roof surface with a wall, or any other structural feature, which arises above it.
|
Barge Board
|
A board fixed along the edge of a gable.
|
Batten
|
Horizontal small section timbers that are nailed to the rafters and to which tiles/slates are secured.
|
Back Gutter
|
A gutter formed in lead at the back of a chimney, or any other structure, which penetrates the roof to disperse water onto tiles/slates.
|
Cold Roof
|
A roof that has insulation laid horizontally at ceiling level and a void between the insulation and its outer roof structure and covering.
|
Course
|
A horizontal row of tiles or slates.
|
Dormer
|
Framed window unit, which projects through the sloping plane of a roof.
|
Down Pipe
|
Pipe which takes water away from guttering to drains.
|
Eaves
|
The horizontal, lower edge of a sloped roof - where the first course of tiles/slates are laid on the fascia board.
|
Fascia Board
|
The horizontal timber trim attached vertically at the eaves that covers the rafter ends, the wall plate or the wall face – the guttering is fixed to this and upon which the first course of tiles/slates are laid.
|
Felt/Underlay
|
Untearable bituminous or PVC sheet material, supplied in rolls and laid over rafters.
|
Flashing
|
Strip of lead, used at abutments, to stop water penetration. The ‘Code’ of lead means the thickness.
|
Gable
|
The upper portion of a sidewall, which comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.
|
Gauge
|
The length of tile/slate exposed after it has been installed. It equals the distance between the top of one batten and the top of the next.
|
Gutter
|
The trough that channels water from the eaves to the down pipes.
|
Headlap
|
The amount by which a tile/slate overlaps the course below it.
|
Hip
|
The meeting of two pitched roof surfaces, which meet at an external angle.
|
Hip Iron
|
A metal hook, which is secured to the roof structure to support the hip tiles and stop them from slipping.
|
Mortar
|
Sand & cement mix consisting of 3 parts sand to1 part cement.
|
Parapet
|
Low protective wall that extends above the roofline for support.
|
Pitch
|
Also known as ‘slope’ , is the measure of how steep a roof is. The pitch of a roof is a big factor in determining the kinds of materials that can be used and the longevity of the roof. Usually, a steeper roof will last longer due to its better draining capabilities.
|
Purling
|
Main structural roof support timber: usually situated half way up the roof span: to which rafters are nailed.
|
Rafter
|
The supporting framing timber, sloping from ridge to wall plate.
|
Raking Cut
|
A diagonal cut across courses of tiles/slates.
|
Ridge
|
The uppermost horizontal junction of two slopes forming the apex of a pitched roof.
|
Saddle
|
A piece of impervious flexible sheet material (usually lead) dressed to shape, fitted to provide weather protection.
|
Secret Gutter
|
A gutter former at an abutment and effectively hidden from sight.
|
Soaker
|
A small piece of sheet (usually lead), shaped and inserted between double lap tile or slates on the abutment between a roof slope and a vertical wall.
|
Soffit Board
|
A board fixed to the feet of rafters, which forms the underside of projecting eaves.
|
Undercloak
|
Fibre cement strip, fixed at the verge beneath the battens, onto which the verge tiles/slates are bedded.
|
Underlay
|
A layer of material acting as a barrier between the roof covering and the sub-structure (see felt).
|
Valley
|
The junction of two inclined roof surfaces at an internal angle to provide water run-off; channel to allow roof slopes at different pitches to join together and discharge water into gutters.
|
Valley Gutter
|
A visible gutter running down the valley.
|
Verge
|
A free end of a roof surface; for example that at the end of a gable or dormer.
|
Warm Roof
|
A roof that has insulation and a vapour barrier laid above or between its supporting structure (normally on the pitch of the rafters), and immediately below its weatherproof membrane.
|
Roof Repairs |
Re-roofing |
Tile roofs |
Slate roofs |
Stone Roofs |
Roof maintenance |
Green Roofing |
Emergency roof repairs |
Glossary of roofing terms |
Industrial Roofs With Solar Panels |