Roofing Terms Explained
By the Quantock Roofing team · Updated 14 June 2026
Roofing has a language of its own, and a quote full of unfamiliar terms can be confusing. Here's a plain-English glossary of the words you're most likely to come across.
Parts of the roof
The main components you'll hear mentioned:
- • Ridge — the horizontal line along the very top of the roof
- • Verge — the edge of the roof at a gable end
- • Valley — the internal angle where two roof slopes meet
- • Eaves — the lower edge of the roof, where the gutters sit
- • Hip — the external angle where two roof slopes meet
The roofline
The boards and goods at the roof's edge:
- • Fascia — the board carrying the gutter at the eaves
- • Soffit — the board underneath, closing off the eaves
- • Bargeboard — the board on a gable edge
- • Guttering and downpipes — the rainwater system
Materials and detailing
Words that describe how the roof is built and weathered:
- • Flashing — usually lead, sealing junctions at chimneys, walls and valleys
- • Underlay / membrane — the layer beneath the tiles that backs up the covering
- • Battens — the timber the tiles or slates are fixed to
- • Dry ridge / dry verge — mechanical, mortar-free fixing systems
- • Pointing — the mortar finish at ridges and abutments (on traditional roofs)
