NHIE Flashcards Roof

Valley Rafter A rafter that forms the intersection of an internal roof angle. The valley rafter is normally made of double 2-inch-thick members. Valley Flashing Sheet metal that lies in the "V" area of a roof valley. Valley The "V" shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet. Water drains off the roof at the valleys. Trusses A framework of rafters, posts, and beams that forms the support for a roof. Tab The exposed portion of strip shingles defined by cutouts. Spire A tapering roof, or an ornamental metal piece on top of a tower or turret. Span The entire length of the roof from one side where the rafters are seated to the other side. Soffit The area under the roof extension often perforated to allow air flow assisting in the ventilation of an attic. Slate Roof A roof made of slate layers, tiles, or plates. Shed Roof A flat roof that slopes in one direction; often used on porch roofs or additions to houses. Saltbox Roof A roof that is shorter in the front and slopes down in the back; the front is two stories and the back is one story. Cricket A small second roof built behind the back side of a fireplace chimney to divert water around the chimney. Also referred to as a saddle. Run The distance from the center of the roof to where the rafters are seated on one side. The runs added together equal the span. Roof Ridge The highest point of a roof where two sloping planes intersect Roof Plane The area of a roof placed on a single side, which is uninterrupted by ridges or valleys. Roof Pitch A numerical measure of the steepness of a roof. The roof's vertical rise is divided by the horizontal span (or run), expressed as a ratio of the number of inches of incline per every 12 inches, with the rise followed by the run (e.g., 3:12). Rise The distance from the attic floor to the peak of the roof. Ridge Vent A vent running horizontally along the ridge, at the highest point of the roof where two or more planes come together. Ridge Shingles Shingles used to cover the ridge board. Ridge Board The board placed on the ridge of the roof onto which the upper ends of other rafters are fastened. Rake The outer edge of the roof which runs from the eave to the ridge. Rafter A structural member or beam that aids in supporting the roof. It spans from the ends of the ceiling joists to the ridge board of the peak of the roof. Parapet A wall placed at the edge of a roof to prevent people from falling off. Overhang Outward projecting eave-soffit area of a roof; the part of the roof that hangs out or over the outside wall. See also Cornice Outrigger An extension of a rafter beyond the wall line. Usually a smaller member nailed to a larger rafter to form a cornice or roof overhang. Metal Roof A roofing system made from metal panels or pieces. Mansard Roof A roof that has two distinct slopes with the lower one steeper than the upper one, often with a flat roof on top. Joists Long beams of wood or steel that span the piers of a foundation or the load-bearing walls of a roof. Jack Rafter A rafter that spans the distance from the wall plate to a hip, or from a valley to a ridge. Hip Roof A roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. Hip Rafter A rafter that forms the intersection of an external roof angle. H Clip Small metal clips formed like an "H" that fits at the joints of two plywood (or wafer board) sheets to stiffen the joint. Normally used on the roof sheeting. Gutter A narrow channel of various materials supported at the eaves to direct water from the roof and away from the structure through downspouts. Gambrel Roof A roof that has two pitches on each side (change in slope partway up the roof); often seen on barns. Gable Roof A roof having a single slope on each side of a central ridge and a gable at one or both ends; the most common style of roof. Flat Roof A roof that has a single slope and a minimal pitch that allows water to drain off. Flashing Thin sheet metal installed on roofs to prevent water penetration and to channel water to the desired path; used around chimneys, vents, valleys, dormers, and roof edges. Fiberglass Shingles A roofing product made the same way as asphalt shingles, except that the base is made of fiberglass. Eave The lower edge of a roof, which typically projects beyond the side of the structure. Dormer A structural element projecting through a sloping roof. Often used to create usable space by adding headroom and or windows. Cresting A decorative feature at the roofline or roof ridge often found in Victorian homes. It can be wrought iron or a balustrade. Cornice The overhanging section just below the roof, and in Victorian and other architecture, an ornamental piece. The function of the cornice overhang is to protect the structure's walls. The cornice is traditionally by definition decorative. Collar Beams The horizontal beams between two rafters, which support additional weight on the roof and prevent the walls from being pushed outward. Clay Tile A roofing tile of fired earthenware clay. Built-Up Roof A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or low-pitched roofs. Attic Baffles A building product made of strips of a foam product that is installed on the inside of the attic roof, which allows air to circulate from the soffit through the attic. This prevents the insulation from making the house too airtight, causing indoor air pollution and moisture problems. Also called Rafter Vents, Channel Vents, Vent Chutes, and other names.