A Complete Guide to the Parts of a Roof

By Amanda Lutz Updated October 24, 2024

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Many homeowners don’t realize it, but there’s a lot going on beneath a roof’s shingles to protect against rain, wind, snow, tree branches, and debris. Familiarizing yourself with the parts of your roof may help when it’s time for a repair or replacement. In this article, we’ll explain roofing terms, detail different roofing materials, and break down various roof components.

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Common Roofing Terms

Roofers use the following terms when describing the different parts of a roof:

• Dormer: A dormer is a room with a window that projects from a roof. It can improve airflow, provide natural light, and include extra space for a room or a loft.
• Eaves: The eaves are usually at a roof’s lowest point and overhang horizontally from a house’s walls. Since rainwater usually falls from the eaves’ edges, this is where many contractors hang gutters.
• Gable: A house’s gable is the triangular spot underneath the roof’s peak.
• Hip: The hip is the slanting portion between two intersecting roof slopes.
• Rake: A roof’s rake is its inclined outer edge that extends beyond the wall. It can be flat or hang beyond a gable end.
• Ridge: The ridge is the roof’s peak or highest point, located at the spot where two sloping planes meet at the top of the roof.
• Skylight: A skylight is a window on the roof that allows natural light to enter a room.
• Trusses: Buildings are constructed with roof trusses that create the shape and frame for both pitched and hip roofs.
• Valley: The roof valley is the lower spot where two roof slopes intersect. Water collects there before streaming off the roof.

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Parts of a Pitched Roof

Most residential roofs are pitched and combine various parts to create a durable, functional, and weather-resistant covering. While flat roofs still have slight inclines, builders rarely use them since they’re more prone to ponding, which is the accumulation of water that can threaten a building’s structural integrity. If you have a pitched roof, see below for a list of all major roof sections.

1. Roof Framing System

A roof’s framing system serves as its core support. The system provides structure and shape to your roof and includes the following components:

• Ceiling joists: These are horizontal beams that span your ceiling and help to support the rafters.
• Collar tie: A collar tie is a board that creates a horizontal line between two rafters. It can be structural but also may frame a ceiling.
• Rafters: A rafter is usually a wooden beam that extends from the ridge to the eaves of a roof. It supports various sections of the roofing system.
• Ridge board: A ridge board is a nonstructural roof component that sits at the peak of a closed ceiling system. It makes it easier to frame a roof by providing a surface to nail the rafters to, holding their upper ends together. 
• Tail: The tail is the rafter’s end that hangs over both the exterior wall and part of the eaves. It directs water away from the structure’s walls, foundation, and entryways.

2. Roof Deck

A roof deck, also known as a roof sheath, is a wooden board underneath the shingles and other exterior parts. This is a structural component that supports the frame. It’s where a builder attaches the shingles, and it offers protection for your house against severe weather. Roof decking comes in various types, including the following:

• Plank: Plank sheathing consists of rectangular wooden boards that are joined together to create a large surface. Builders used plank decking before plywood was invented, so it’s most often found in older homes.
• Sheet: Sheet decking is one large board made of either plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). Plywood became popular in the 1970s because of its longevity and durability, but roofers use OSB more often today since it’s strong and affordable.
• Tongue-and-groove: This roof sheathing type is characterized by two boards that are joined together in a specific interlocking method. Since tongue-and-groove is made of solid wood, it’s stronger but more expensive than plywood.

If you want to learn which type of roof decking you have, head to any space in your home where the underside of the roof is exposed. Homeowners may confuse decking with wood shakes and other roofing components, so contact an experienced roofer if you’re unsure.

The framing system supports your roof deck and uses one of the following material types:

• Concrete: Concrete holds up well against harsh climates but is usually expensive.
• Metal: Metal decking is made from either steel or aluminum. It’s fire-resistant, sustainable, and durable.
• OSB: Oriented strand board, or OSB sheathing, is a type of engineered wood that’s relatively inexpensive.
• Plywood: This is thin composite wood that’s glued together. It’s generally more durable than OSB sheathing.

3. Underlayment

The roof underlayment is a layer placed between the sheathing and shingles. It’s an extra moisture barrier that protects your roof decking from water that can be placed under the shingles. The underlayment comes in the three types listed below:

• Felt: One of the oldest and least expensive underlayment types, felt is a heavy mat made of organic matter that’s been dipped in asphalt to help it resist water. Roofers often use felt when installing slate and tile shingles, but this largely depends on the builder’s preference and the homeowner’s budget. 
• Self-adhered: This underlayment option is made of asphalt and rubber polymers. It has an adhesive on one side so it can stick to the roof decking, creating a waterproof seal that protects against water damage. It’s easy to install but can be expensive.
• Synthetic: A synthetic underlayment is composed of polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene. For the last decade, this has been the preferred underlayment type since it’s durable, water-repellent, light, and tear-resistant.

4. Ice and Water Shield

Part of waterproofing your roof includes adding an ice and water shield. This shield protects your roof from the elements when water reaches vulnerable roofing parts. A roofer will apply the ice and water shield in areas of the roof that are prone to water damage, such as the roof valley. Roofers often recommend ice and water shields for every roof since they protect homes against moisture, and building codes mandate them in many parts of the U.S.

5. Flashing

Roof flashing is another material used to stop water from entering your home through vulnerable spots. The following list runs through the main types of flashing:

• Apron: Apron, or continuous, flashing is a long sheet of metal that directs water away from a certain part of the roof.
• Base: Roofers place metal sheets at the base of structures attached to the roof to cover gaps between them. Chimney flashing is an example of base flashing.
• Counter: Counter flashing is placed above base flashing as a two-part system to channel water down the roof slope.
• Drip edge: This flashing sits at the edge of the roof to direct water away from the fascia.
• Gutter apron: Gutter apron flashing also protects the edge of your roof.
• Kickout: Roofers place kickout flashing at the spot where step flashing ends and the gutter starts.
• Step: Step flashing typically belongs in between shingles where the roof hits a sidewall.
• Valley: A roofer will put valley flashing in any place where two parts of the roof meet to form a V-shape.

6. Roofing Material

The type of roofing you choose for your home will depend on where you live and your preferred style. Here are some of the most popular roofing materials to choose from:

• Asphalt shingles: Although there are many shingle types, asphalt shingles are the most common. They’re weather-resistant, cost-effective, and last for approximately 25 years.
• Clay tiles: Clay tiles offer houses a distinct look. They resist fire and high winds but cost more than other roofing materials.
• Metal: Metal roofing can last between 50 and 75 years. It’s more expensive than other roofing materials but may cut your energy costs. Metal prevents heat loss during the colder months and reduces heat gain during the warmer months.
• Slate: This durable material is made of rock and can resist fire, mold, water, and extreme temperatures.
• Wood shakes: While wood shakes have a rougher appearance and feel than shingles, they’re insulating and resist both water and wind.

7. Roof Vents

Roof vents allow heat and moisture to escape from your attic or crawl space. Here are the types of vents you may find on a roof:

• Attic: The attic vent moves moisture and heat from the attic to the outdoors.
• Box: This static vent is nonmechanical and covers a hole in the roof meant to release heat from the attic.
• Gable: You’ll find this vent on a gable roof toward the top of the triangle. It releases heat and moisture from the attic or crawl space.
• Plumbing: The plumbing vent moves waste efficiently by bringing fresh air into your house’s plumbing system.
• Ridge: Ridge vents sit at the top of your roof and catch wind to expel moisture and heat from your attic.
• Roof turbine: A roof turbine sits on the roof and releases moisture and heat from your attic through suction.

8. Soffit and Fascia

When the undersides of your roof’s eaves have a finished appearance, it’s called soffit. The soffit acts as a vent when your roof gets hot by letting air escape. If the soffit didn’t release heat, shingles could break down and make your roof vulnerable to a leak.

Roofers mount fascia where the roof meets a building’s outer wall. It runs along the lower edge of a roof and sits behind the gutter, which it supports. Fascia boards can be made of aluminum, vinyl, or wood.

9. Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters are attached to the fascia and collect water that runs down roof planes. Once water enters the gutter, it travels to the downspout, which is a vertical gutter that runs along the side of your house. Both the gutter and downspout block water from entering your home by draining it and releasing the water elsewhere.

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Our Recommendation

Understanding roofing terminology isn’t necessary for all homeowners, but it could be useful. We recommend learning about the parts of a roof to know what your roofing contractor is referring to during a repair or when installing a new roof.

Both roof replacements and roof repairs are difficult to perform and can be dangerous. Because of this, it’s best to look for professional help when starting out a major roofing project.

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Parts of a Roof FAQ