A roof is the uppermost covering of a structure. Its purpose is to keep the elements out and the inside of the building or home dry and comfortable. Depending on the climate or culture, it can be covered with anything from banana leaves to high tech solar roof tiles.
The roof angle also varies by climates; in areas that receive a lot of rain or snow the roofs have a steeper pitch or angle to allow runoff. Local roofers will have the experience and skill to work on the steeper angles.
Other parts of a roof include:
• Truss- is a framework of beams that support the roof.
• Rafters-are the beams that run from the top of the roof to the bottom.
• Eave- is the bottom edge of a roof that hangs over the rest of the home.
• Fascia- trim used to cover the rafter end of the eaves
• Soffit- is a finished under side of the eaves.
• Hip- the high point formed where two sloping sections of a roof meet. Found on roofs with more than two main faces.
• Rake- the side edge of a roof, which runs from eave to ridge or hips.
• Ridge- is the highest point of the roof also running the length of the roof.
• Valley- a trough formed by two downward sections of roof meeting at an angle.
• Decking or sheathing- are the panels that cover the rafters.
• Roof felt or underlayment- goes over the plywood decking to seal the roof from the elements.
• Shingles or tile- are the outermost part of the roof; it can be asphalt shingles, roll roofing, wood shingles, wood shakes, tar and gravel, metal panels, clay or concrete tiles. These roof materials function is to make a barrier against the elements.
• Flashing- metal pieces used to keep water from leaking in where two parts of the roof meet.
• Drip edge- edging that is at the roof end to allow water to run off.
