Roofing Glossary
Understanding the components of your roof can help you make informed decisions about repairs and installations. Here is a breakdown of the terms our roofing contractors use most often:
A - D
• Abutment: Where the roof meets a wall or another part of the building (common area for leaks).
• Batten: Small strips of wood fixed to the rafters that the slats or tiles are hooked onto.
• Cap Shingle: Extra-durable tiles used to cover the ridge (top) of the roof.
• Chimney Flashing: Metal sheeting (usually lead) installed around the base of a chimney to prevent water ingress.
• Shutterstock
• Explore
• Dry Verge: A modern system that caps the edge of the roof without the use of mortar, providing a maintenance-free finish.
E - L
• Eaves: The lower edge of the roof that overhangs the walls.
• Fascia: The long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof, supporting the bottom row of tiles and the guttering.
• Flashing: Pieces of metal used to prevent water from seeping into joints and valleys.
• Gable: The triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches.
• Hip: The external angle formed by the meeting of two sloping roof surfaces.
• Lead Valley: A channel where two roof slopes meet, lined with lead to direct rainwater into the gutters.
P - R
• Pitch: The angle or "steepness" of the roof slope.
• Ponding: The pooling of water on a flat roof, often indicating a drainage issue or structural sagging.
• Rafters: The internal wooden beams that create the structural frame and slope of the roof.
• Ridge: The highest point of the roof where two slopes meet.
• Ridge Tile: The curved or angled tiles used to cover the ridge of the roof.
S - V
• Slat: A thin piece of stone (usually slate) used as a roof covering.
• Soffit: The board that runs under the fascia, often ventilated to allow air into the attic space.
• Torch-on Felt: A common flat roofing material that is applied using a torch to melt the bitumen and create a waterproof seal.
• Underlay: A waterproof membrane installed beneath the slates or tiles as a secondary layer of protection.
• Vapour Barrier: A layer used to prevent moisture from the building's interior from reaching the roof structure.