When communicating with a roofing company, it is very helpful to understand the technical terms used for different parts of a roof. After all, you’ll want to know what they’re talking about so you know they’re doing a decent job on your roof and aren’t taking you for a ride. In this overview, we’ll explore the various roof components and explain what each section is about.
Let’s get into it!
A Closer Look at your Roof
Let’s break down all the different parts of a roof that you’ll want to understand:
Abutment: This part connects to an exterior wall.
Air Vent: These help with ventilation, allowing hot air to escape from the home.
Chimney: The chimney sticks up and contains the flue, where hot air and gasses can vent out of the home. Traditionally above a fireplace to allow the smoke to exit the house!
Cricket: A cricket is a small section of roofing at the top of a chimney that helps deflect water away from the chimney.
Decking: The decking is the plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) board on top of the trusses. It provides a surface for the roofing materials.
Dormer: A dormer is a window on a sloped roof that projects out from the main body of the house.
Downspout: The downspout is the pipe that carries water from the gutter and drains it away from the house.
Drip Edge: The drip edge is a section at the very edge of the roof. Its purpose is to help direct water away from the home, preventing it from seeping through cracks or crevices.
Eaves: The eaves overhang the exterior walls of the home.
Fascia: The fascia is a board at the edge, right beneath the shingles. It helps support the gutters and provides a place to attach them.
Flashing: The flashing is a waterproof material that roofers use for those areas where water might seep through, e.g.:
- around chimneys
- skylights
- or vents.
Gable: The gable is the triangular-shaped section of the wall at the end of a pitched roof.
Gutter: The gutter is a system around the perimeter of your roof that helps to collect rainwater, directing it away from your home.
Rafters: These are the support beams that run across the roof end-to-end. They are typically made of wood and give additional strength.
Ridge: The ridge is the highest point of the roof, where the two sides meet in the middle.
Sheathing: Simply another name for decking.
Soffit (underside): This is the horizontal section under the eaves of a roof.
Truss: Trusses support all kinds of roof components, including
- sheathing
- decking
- and insulation.
Valley: A valley is a low point where two slopes meet, typically in the center of your home.
Vent: A vent is a small opening that helps with ventilation, allowing hot air to escape from the home.
Bay to Bay Roofing – Specialists for all the different Parts of a Roof
Hopefully, these definitions have helped you understand the different parts of a roof and what goes into what may seem like a very simple part of your property.
And don’t forget, if you are facing any kind of roofing issues, be sure to get in contact with our friendly team here at Bay to Bay Roofing.
We are your experts for:
- roofing repairs
- replacements
- and maintenance
for all types of roofs. Contact us today for a free roof inspection and further information!