Roofing - Roofing Terms Definitions

Roofing Advice Tips - Roofers Roofing Terms Definitions

Glossary of Roofing Terms

Roofers Speak - Here is a glossary of some of the more common roofers roofing terminology so that you know what roofers are talking about in laymans terms:

What is a Pitch Roof?

 

A roof which has a slope.  i.e. It has a pitch to it rather than being a flat roof.  Even flat roofs incidentally are not completely flat and have some gentle incline on them in order for rainwater to come away from them).  However, pitch roofs have a very definite slope to them and hence they have a 'pitch'. The pitch of a roof can vary from property to property.

 

What is a Flat Roof?

Strictly speaking flat roofs are not completely flat and do have some sort of gentle slope to them in order for rainwater to be able to come away from the roof in a proper manner. Flat roofs tend to be covered with either bitumen or a built up felt base or even rubberised covering. Flat roofs which are covered by 'torch-on' felt are literally burnt onto the roof with a kind of blow lamp used by the roofers.  If you use a roofer to carry out torch on roofing to your property check that their public liability insurance covers this type of work as tradesmen insurance policies for jobs involving heat tend to be higher and a bit more specialised.  You might find you have a roofer but not a roofer who is covered to carry out work with heat.  Check this out property.

Torch On Roofing

Torch on roofing we touched upon on the last item. Basically this is roofing felt which is laid often onto thick weatherproof plyboard or roofing boards usually during flat roofing to areas such as bay roofs or kitchen extensions.  The boards are laid first and then there are layers or special roofing felt which goes on - often called 'cap green roofing felt'.  This is then applied using high temperature blow torches - hence the terminology - torch-on-roofing.  The covering is literally torched on to the roof.  Do not expect jobs which involve torch on roofing to be cheap when it comes to home improvement.  Any decent roofer will have proper insurance which has a special term in it to cover them for working with heat and at height so you can expect those costs to be built in to your quote.

Drip Edges on Roofs

Timber strips which form the edges of flat roofs or bay roofs.  They overlap the edge of the roof and the roofing felt is folded over them.  As the name would imply - the purpose of these is to allow edges for 'drips' (rainwater).

Roof Lead Valley

The lead valley on a roof is the point at which two roofs meet in a dipped area.  Lead is placed here as a form of  'bridge' between two sections of roofing tiles or slates and prevents roofs leaking.  Lead is expensive and varies dramatically in price according to the market.  The price of lead can change on a daily basis from roofing suppliers so watch out for this and if you are looking for quotes to replace a lead valley hang on if you can for times when lead is not so expensive.

Roofing Slates

Pieces of slate which cover roofs.  There is not much that can be said about these.  There are many different types of roofing slates of varying sizes and quality.

Roofing Tiles

Pieces of tile which cover roofs.  There is not much that can be said about these.  There are many different types of roofing tiles of varying sizes and quality.

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