What the heck are we talking about?
Our A-Z of roofing terminology takes the mystery out of roofing trade terms and helps you better understand how roofing works. Whether you choose to do the repairs yourself or hire a roofing contractor to work on your roof, knowing the common roofing terms will help you to understand what needs to be done and why. It also benefits you with the knowledge when reviewing a roofing quotation. Here are some of the most common roofing terms and their definitions.
ANTICON BLANKET
This is material installed above the roof battens directly underneath the roof sheeting. It is a lightweight glass wool insulation blanket adhered to a water-resistant reflective foil. This material keeps your home cooler in summer and prevents heat loss in winter. It also reduces the transference of sound, such as falling rain, into your home.
BARGE CAPPING
A flashing that is used to fix the gable end of the roof where the metal roof sheets start and finish, providing a neat finish.
BATTEN
A piece of timber or metal channel installed horizontally on top of the rafters to allow sheet metal to be laid and fastened.
BMT
Base metal thickness (BMT) is a term which refers to the thickness of the steel before the Zincalume® protective layer is applied and the Colourbond® paint layer added.
BOX GUTTER
A rain gutter on a roof concealed between the slopes of a roof.
COLOURBOND
A common steel roofing product. It starts with a Zincalume® base to provide corrosion resitance, and is then covered with a chemically applied conversion layer to enhance coating adhesion. Next a baked on epoxy primer is applied, and finally a baked on exterior grade top-coat of paint is applied.
DOWNPIPE
A pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to the ground or to a drain.
EAVES
The lower part of a roof that overhangs the face of a wall, normally on the outside.
FALL
The slope of pitch of a roof or gutter.
FASCIA
A horizontal board which caps off the ends of the rafters, to which guttering is fixed.
FIRE RATING
Also known as R-value. This is a value given for the measure of resistance to heat flow a roof or wall has. In theory, the higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.
FLASHING
Components used to weatherproof or seal the roof system edges at the perimeters, penetration, walls and other places.
FLEXIBLE POINTING
FlexiPoint is a unique flexible pointing compound which is designed to flex with roof structures. It is trowel applied and primarily used for pointing ridge tiles.
FRETTING
This refers to corrosion of roof tiles. There are several causes; salt and old age are the most common culprits. Replacing the worst of these tiles can suffice as a short term repair, but this issues eventually requires a roof replacement.
GABLE
The triangular section of wall at the end of a pitched roof, extending from the eaves to the peak.
GUTTER
A shallow trough that is fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
GUTTER GUARD
Available in carious systems, gutter guard is installed over the gutter to prevent gutters clogging with leaves and other debris.
HIPPED ROOF
Hipped roofs have slopes on four sides. This design offers strength and excellent resistance to strong winds.
PARAPET WALL
A barrier which is an extension of the wall at the edge of a roof. It extends above the roof line.
RAFTER
A rafter is a parallel beam that supports the roof and is part of the truss. It is the principal support for roofing material.
RAINWATER HEAD
A box-shaped structure of metal into which water from a gutter or parapet is collected and discharged into a downpipe. It acts as an external overflow point to minimise water surges into the storm water system and aid the flow of water down the downpipe.
RIDGE
The highest point on the roof, represented by a horizontal line where two roof areas intersect, running the length of the area.
ROOF PITCH
The angle, or pitch, of a roof is calculated by the number of inches it rises vertically for every 12 inches it extends horizontally. Usually expressed in degrees.
ROOF TRUSS
The structural framework designed to carry the loads of a roof. It covers the full span without intermediate support.
SAFETY RAIL
A Workplace Health and Safety requirement, where control measures must be used under law when working at heights. Safety rail is installed to areas where a worker could fall from one height to another.
SARKING
A moisture proof foil material that is placed over the roof battens and installed beneath the external roof covering (usually tiles).
SKILLION
A roof shape that is different from a standard flat roof. It has steeper and more noticeable pitch. Also commonly known as a shed roof.
SOFFIT
The material used as a lining which is installed under the eaves between the fascia board and external wall.
VALLEY
The V shaped metal channels that are formed by two inclined slopes of a roof.
WHIRLY BIRD
A type of semi-mechanical vent that is installed on the roof of a house to help remove heat from the ceiling cavity.
ZINCALUME®
A steel roof product that is durable and strong, with superior corrosion resistance. Available in different profiles and comes only in it’s natural grey colour.