Residential Roof Terminology

A roof is typically referred to for example as a 4 12 or 4 pitch.

Residential roof terminology. It is the number of inches a roof rises vertically for every 12 inches of travel horizontally. What is an ice dam. The terms pitch and slope are simply two different ways of expressing the same measurement. A hip roof is a roof in which four separate roof planes all come together at the top.

Ice dams occur when melted snow refreezes near the overhang of a roof blocking the path for water run off and building up a heavy wall of ice. Occurs where overlapping materials are seamed sealed or. Pitch this is the slope of the roof. A line made on the roof by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk.

That part of a roofing waterproofing or flashing component that overlaps or covers any portion of the same or. A roof s slope is the number of inches it rises for every 12 inches of horizontal run a roof with a 4 in 12 slope rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run. An area of a roof with a valley on one side and a rake on the other and both come together at a point. The highest fire resistance rating for roofing as per astm e 108 or ulc s107.

Indicates roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building. The higher the number the steeper the roof. The surface usually plywood or oriented strand board osb to which roofing materials are applied. Roofing terms you should know deck sheathing.

Square hip roofs look like pyramids but hip roofs are also found on rectangular homes. A small structure projecting from a sloped roof usually with a window. An l shaped strip usually metal installed along roof.