Parts of a Roof
There are a series of roof components that protect your home from the rain, wind and snow. It is critical to understand all of the parts of a roof in order to explain a problem to a roofing professional and understand what they are talking about when they are doing repairs or full replacements.
Your roof’s overall structure is complicated and complex. There are many parts that make up the overall structure of your roof. All components must work together to be structurally sound. Each item will be listed below, along with a brief explanation.
Below we created two helpful diagrams that illustrate the various features and layers of a typical roof. The two diagrams below show the parts of a roof that are visible from the outside of your home and we will break down the different layers that may not be visible to you.
Parts of a Roof:Visible Structure
Basic Terminology
Roofs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, we’re going to begin by explaining each of the terms and describe their essential architectural features.
FIELD OF ROOF: This is the central or main portion of your roof.
ROOF VENT: This allows your attic to ventilate and helps to protect your roof from moisture.
CHIMNEY: This is a ventilation structure that isolates toxic gases from a fireplace, furnace, or boiler from the living space of your home.
DORMER: This is a vertical window that projects from a sloping roof.
SKYLIGHT: This is a window on your roof that allows light to come in.
PLUMBING VENT (VENT STACK): This pipe helps to regulate the air pressure in your plumbing system.
RIDGE VENT: This runs the entire length of your roof. It is an air exhaust vent installed on the peak of your roof.
GUTTER: This is a trough that is beneath the edge of your roof to carry off rainwater.
GABLE: This is where two sections of a roof come together to form a ridge.
RAKE: This is the sloped edge of a roof at or adjacent to the first or last rafter.
EAVE: This is the projecting edge of a roof that extends beyond the supporting wall.
SOFFIT: This is the enclosed underside of any exterior overhanging section of a roof eave.
VALLEY: This is the internal angle that is formed by the intersecting planes of a roof.
RIDGE: This is the horizontal top area where two sloped roof areas meet.
DOWNSPOUT: This is a vertical device that is connected to your gutter to redirect water runoff.
FASCIA: This is a long straight board that runs along the lower edge of your roof.
FLASHING: This is a thin piece of material that will prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint.
Now that you can understand the basic terminology.
Parts of a Roof: Non-visible Structure
In your roof structure, there are many parts of a roof that you may not be able to see directly. These parts make up the architectural structure and are vital in the construction of the roof.
Basic Terminology
RAFTER: This is a series of sloped structural beams that extend from the ridge. They are designed to support the roof.
COLLAR BEAM: This is a horizontal beam between two rafters.
RIDGE BOARD: This connects the upper ends of the rafters to form the apex of a triangle.
RAFTER: This is a series of sloped structural beams that extend from the ridge. They are designed to support the roof.
COLLAR BEAM: This is a horizontal beam between two rafters.
RIDGE BOARD: This connects the upper ends of the rafters to form the apex of a triangle.
SOLID DECKING: These are the wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof.
FELT UNDERLAYMENT (ROOFING TAR PAPER): This is a layer of protection installed between the roof deck and the shingles.
SPACED SHEATHING: This is where boards that shingles will be nailed to are spaced apart.
VALLEY FLASHING: This protects the middle section where two roof sections meet and helps to redirect rainwater away from the roof.
Here is section for FAQ, that some homeowners get stumped on!
What are 4 basic parts of a conventional roof?
• Eave
• Gutter
• Roof Vent
• Valley
What are the wood pieces in a roof called?
Solid decking: These are the wooden boards that make up the framing of your roof
What is the trim around a roof called?
Fascia: Vertical roof trim located along the perimeter of a building, usually below the roof level, to cover the rafter tails at the eaves and to seal off the top of the siding along the rake.
What is pointed part of roof called?
Ridge: This is the horizontal top area where two sloped roof areas meet.
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