Roof Terms and Terminology

Dormers and Gables Gables are actually roof sections that face in a different direction from the main roof (i.e. cross gables). They are built as part of the roof, rise up from the roof-to-wall junction, and have no walls. This type of construction may be used to create a new roof section or wing, or simply to open the roofline for a window. Dormers Rise up out of the roof and are often separate from the roof-to-wall junction. Like houses, dormers are classified by their roof shape (shed, hipped, gabled, flat, etc). Roof dormers Pop up from the main roofline, like a small house with its own walls, roof, and window. Roof dormers provide light, added space, and ventilation to the topmost spaces in the house. Wall dormers Rise up from the roofline at the roof-to-wall junction but, unlike gables, have walls. Eave Details The edge of the roof that runs horizontally across the façade, comprised of the rafter ends used to construct the roof. Eaves may be open or enclosed, with lots of, little, or no overhang. a. Roof The upper exterior surface of the home. b. Fascia A flat horizontal band around a roof's perimeter. c. Boxed eave An overhang enclosed with a soffit that runs horizontally from the eave edge to the side of the building. d. Cornice The decorative section just below the roofline. The cornice may be simple or ornate depending on building style. e. Rake the pitched edge of a gable roof. Rakes may be close, or extend from the building to allow for an overhang. Pitch The degree of slope, steepness, of the roof from ridge to eave or valley. Low slope A roof angle or pitch that is less than 30 degrees. Normal slope A roof whose angle or pitch is from 30 to 45 degrees. Steep slope A roof whose angle is more than 45 degrees.

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