What Is a Soffit? Your roof by necessity, will often times extend over the walls of your home. This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “something fixed underneath”.

What do you call the edging on a roof?

Roof edge (or eaves edge) All the boards running along the edge of the roof or eaves. Also known as a fascia.

What are the names of roof parts?

• Roof plane: This is the surface of the roof. …
• Ridge: This is the top or peak of the roof, where two roof planes meet.
• Valley: This is where two pitched roof faces connect and project inward. …
• Dormer: This is a roof feature that projects out from the roof face.

What is a flat roof overhang called?

The area where a roof extends a small way past the wall of a building is usually referred to as the eaves. … Eaves are formed as the rafters of the roof extend past the side of the building to distribute and support the load of the roof more evenly.

What is a roof soffit?

The soffit is part of the overhang where your roof meets your siding. When rain or snow hits your roof, it runs down, and the overhang allows the water to flow away from your house. The soffit is underneath the overhang, between the roof’s edge and side of your home—the bottom of the triangle, if you will.

What is the difference between fascia and eaves?

Eaves—The lower edge of a roof (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house). Fascia—A decorative board extending down from the roof edge either at the eave or at the rake.

What is a roof valley?

A roof valley is formed where two roof slopes meet. Water collects in a valley to flow off the roof. Your choice of valley installation method is critical because, when improperly installed, valleys are risks for serious leaks. Essentially, there are three main ways to shingle a roof valley: woven, closed-cut and open.

What are the 6 roof parts?

• Starter Shingles. The first layer of shingles at the roofs edge differs for asphalt and tile roofing. …
• Flashing. …
• Underlayment. …
• Roofing Material. …
• Ventilation. …
• Hip and Ridge Shingles or Caps.

What is it called where a roof meets a wall?

A headwall is a level junction where a roof meets a wall.

What are the parts of roof frame?

• Rafters. One big aspect of a roof’s frame is the rafters. …
• Purlins. Another large aspect of a roof comes from purlins—additional support for the roof load. …
• Pitch. …
• Underlayment. …
• Decking. …
• Shingles. …
• Flashing. …
• Drip Edge.

Article first time published on

What are the parts of a flat roof called?

• Plasterboard Ceiling. The plasterboard ceiling is the visible interior part, which covers the entire roof. …
• Decking. The decking is the skeletal part of the roof. …
• Insulation and Vapor Barrier. …
• Waterproof Layer and Covering.

What is an overhang on a house?

In architecture, an overhang is a protruding structure that may provide protection for lower levels. … An overhanging eave is the edge of a roof, protruding outwards from the side of the building, generally to provide weather protection.

What is the difference between fascia and fascia?

As nouns the difference between fasciae and fascia is that fasciae is (fascia) while fascia is a wide band of material covering the ends of roof rafters, sometimes supporting a gutter in steep-slope roofing, but typically it is a border or trim in low-slope roofing.

What is exterior fascia?

Exterior fascia is a specific type of trim featured on some regions of the home’s exterior. Fascia is typically a single board or band that fits just below the roof’s edge, covering the vertical surface between the roof and the soffit.

What are the different types of roof valleys?

There are three main types of roof valleys — cut, weaved and exposed metal.

What is ridge on roof?

Roof Ridge: The roof ridge, or ridge of a roof is the horizontal line running the length of the roof where the two roof planes meet. This intersection creates the highest point on a roof, sometimes referred to as the peak. Hip and ridge shingles are specifically designed for this part of a roof.

What is dormer roof?

dormer, in architecture, a vertical window that projects from a sloping roof and usually illuminates a bedroom. The term derives from the Latin dormitorium, “sleeping room.” Dormers are set either on the face of the wall or high upon the roof, and their roofs may be gabled, hipped, flat, or with one slope.

What is the difference between fascia and soffits?

Typically a soffit is used in the area beneath the eaves on the exterior of a house to close the space beneath the eave. The soffit extends from the side of the structure to the edge of the eave. Fascia is used to create a barrier between the edge of the roof and the outside.

What is Friezeboard?

Frieze board is a type of trim that is typically installed between the top of a home’s siding and the soffit. It’s normally installed flat against the home, but it may be installed at an angle if installed on a gable. Frieze board may also be used as a decorative, horizontal trim anywhere in or on the home.

What are Gables on a roof?

Gabled roofs are the kind young children typically draw. They have two sloping sides that come together at a ridge, creating end walls with a triangular extension, called a gable, at the top.

What is it called where two roof lines meet?

The ridge is the peak where two sloped roof sections meet. Part of a roof’s frame, a ridge board runs horizontally along the peak of a sloped roof.

What is the space between ceiling and roof called?

Attics are the space between the roof and the ceiling of the highest floor of the house. They’re usually full of insulation, and sometimes heating or air conditioning equipment as well.

What is the apex of a roof?

An apex roof has two slopes, which both meet in the middle – the highest point of the roof. … The front of the timber building is most commonly the side with the highest point of the pent roof and it then descends to the back.

What are four types of roof?

• Gable roof. The term ‘gable’ refers to the triangle spot that is formed when the two pitched areas of the roof meet. …
• Hip. Hip roof is slightly more difficult to build and usually has 4 sides. …
• Dutch. …
• Mansard roof. …
• Flat roof. …
• Shed roof. …
• Butterfly roof. …
• Gambrel roof.

What are rafters and trusses?

Rafters and trusses are those that support the roof. … Rafters consist of sloping outer beams which provide support. As the trusses come with a web of triangles inside the main frame, they provide more support than the rafters. Trusses and rafters are both assembled ahead of being installed onto the roof.

What are the roof timbers called?

Sometimes referred to as common rafters or spars, these inclined lengths of timber rise from the eaves at the bottom of the roof to the ridge apex at the top. Rafters support a pitched roof covering.

What are the parts of a roof truss called?

• Bottom Chord – The bottom members of a truss.
• Bottom Chord Splice – If the truss Span is too long for two Bottom Chords, the middle Bottom Chord is referred to as the splice.
• Butt Cut – A small 90 degree cut at the end of a truss – usually 1/4″.

What is fascia roof?

What is Roofing Fascia? Roofing fascia forms the vertical finishing edge that connects your roofing to rafters, trusses, or gutter attachments. You see it beneath the roof’s overhang. Fascia is typically made of a wooden board or non-corrosive sheet metal.

What is EPDM roofing?

EPDM is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane that is used worldwide. … Its superior durability and cost-effectiveness are part of what makes EPDM one of the most popular flat roof systems installed in the U.S. today.

What is a garage overhang called?

Give your Garage Doors Style and Curb Appeal with a Garage Arbor Overhang. … A recent trend with homeowners is adding a garage arbor or portico.

Do roofs need overhang?

A roof overhang is an essential part of your roofing system to protect your house. If you are simply adding function and protection, or if you want to incorporate a new style to update the exterior of your home, a new roof overhang is a good idea.