Roofing Glossary: Key Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

It’s not unusual for construction industries to have a lot of unique terminologies and phrases – we should know!

With its long list of constituent components, and the wide range of product types available, it can be easy for consumers to feel a bit out of their depth.

So, to help equip consumers to make informed, confident decisions about their roofs, we’ve created a glossary of key terms related to roofing. Keep reading to find a list of these commonly used terms, alongside their definitions.

Glossary: Roofing Types

Dormer roof – this is a pitched roof, which features dormers. Dormers are windows that are set vertically into the roof’s slope, and feature their own additional section of roof.

Gable roof – gable roofs are a triangular shape, consisting of two sloped sides. These two sides The ‘gable’ in gable roofs refers to the two triangular sections of the walls, which sit underneath the roof’s ridge.

Hip roof – in a hip roof, all four of the sides slope downwards to the walls, and all join at the top to form a ridge. This means that the roof has no gables.

Glossary: Technical Terms

Abutment – the point where a sloped roof either meets a vertical surface (most commonly a wall), or the roof of another property.

Barge board – a decorative board or panel (typically made of wood), which is positioned at the roof’s gable end. It is designed to cover the roof’s projecting rafter.

Down pipe – a vertical pipe that takes rainwater away from the roof’s guttering, towards either the drains or the ground.

Drip edge – a metal flashing, installed along the roof’s edges. This is designed to help direct water into the gutter, thereby taking it away from the fascia.

Eaves – the lower edge of the roof, which overhangs beyond the building’s walls.

EPDM – Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is a synthetic rubber used as a roofing membrane. It is extremely durable and weather-resistant.

Fascia – a decorative board that runs horizontally along the wall, positioned at the point where a sloping roof meets the building’s walls. It is designed to help protect otherwise vulnerable areas of the roof from weather damage.

Flashings – pieces of metal sheeting, installed around vulnerable areas of a roof (such as chimneys, vents or skylights). They form a strong weather-proof seal, thereby minimising the risk of water penetration.

Insulation – an extra layer installed in a roof structure. It unlocks a range of benefits, including minimising heat loss through the roof, and improving the roof’s sound-proofing.

Joists – horizontal structures, positioned at regular points along the roof to support its decking.

Ridge – the point where the surfaces meet in a sloped roof (typically running horizontally), this is the peak of a roof.

Ridge board – a horizontal board, which runs along the roof’s ridge. The highest points of the rafters are attached to this board, and it gives the roof extra structural support.

Ridge tiles – tiles that are positioned along the roof’s ridge. They cover the joint, and usually serve either a decorative or protective function.

Soffit – a flat, horizontal board, which seals the gap between the wall and the roof’s overhang.

Substrate – most typically consisting of a timber deck, this is the surface that the roof’s materials are laid on. It also helps to support the roof.

Truss – a triangular, structural frame, typically made of wood. It is used to support the roof.

Underlay – a thin layer of material, which sits underneath the roof’s slates or tiles. It helps to insulate the roof and improve its weather resistance.

Valley – the internal angle between two intersecting sloping roof sides.

Valley gutter – a channel of exposed guttering, positioned at the valley of the roof. It helps to direct water away from this area, and to the roof’s gutters.

Vapour barrier – a layer of material that prevents moisture from moving into more vulnerable areas of the roof.

Waterproofing – materials or techniques that are applied to the roof’s outer surface, to ensure that it is water-resistant.

At B&S Roofing, our skilled team has been providing expert roofing services to clients throughout Nottingham and Derby for over 20 years. We offer a huge range of roofing services and solutions, are trusted by domestic and commercial clients alike, and can work with everything from new builds to period homes.

So, if you have any further questions about roof installation, servicing or maintenance, contact our team.