Roofing - a glossary of terms associated with home roofing Barge boards - Batten - Counter batten - Dormer - Eaves - Fascia - Felt roof (Cold) - Felt roof (Hot) - Flashing - Flat Roof - Gable - Gauge - Hip - Hip board - Hip end - Margin - Nail sickness - Rafter - Ridge - Ridge board - Ridge tile - Sarking - Sarking board - Slate - Soffit - Tiles (interlocking) - Tiles (plain) - Tingle - Truss - Underfelt - Valley - Verge Barge boards - Decorative boards mounted under the roofing at a gable end - traditionally timber, nowadays usually uPVC. They may be mounted flash on the end wall or stood off on an overhanging framework with a soffit underneath. Batten - A length of timber (usually tanalised, 40 x 20mm (1.5 x ¾ inch) sawn timber - but may vary according to roofing cover) mounted horizontally across the rafters to locate and/or secure the tiles or slates.

Counter batten - A batten mounted vertically up the roof along the lines of the rafters - normally used where the roof frame has been boarded to give a space when the underfelt and battens are fixed. Dormer - A vertical window built into the slope of a pitched roof. Eaves - The area just below the lower end of the roof - includes the fascia, soffit and guttering. Fascia - The vertical board secured to the ends of the rafters under the lower end of the roof to which the guttering is normally fixed - traditionally timber, nowadays usually uPVC. Felt roof - Cold - Normally a two or three layers system for boarded flat roofs using cold applied adhesive. Each layer has traditionally been bitumen based, however high performance polymer based materials are available which offer better performance. Usually for bitumen based materials, the first layer is just nailed to the roof boarding, the middle and top layers are glued with the top layer being covered in protective mineral chippings - should be good for at least 10 years. Felt roof - Hot - Normally a two or three layers system for boarded flat roofs using hot bitumen or a flame torch.

Each layer has traditionally been bitumen based, however high performance polymer based materials are available which offer better performance. Usually for bitumen based materials, all the layers are put down using hot bitumen or a flame torch with the top layer being covered in protective mineral chippings or painted with a solar reflective protective coating. Flashing - A weather seal, usually lead or zinc, made where part of the roof abuts a vertical surface - one side of the flashing is normally embedded in a joint between two rows of bricks, the other side being shaped to fit onto the roof surface. Plain flashing is where the roof meets the vertical surface horizontally. Stepped flashing is where the roof meets the vertical surface at an angle - the steps in the flashing align with the joints of different courses in the brickwork Flat Roof - A roof which has negligible slope, usually covered in felt, metal, or other material which is impermeable to water. Gable - The vertical wall at the end of a pitched roof, an inverted 'V'. Gauge - The measurement between the roof battens for positioning the slates or tiles, the minimum gauge is normally specified by the manufacturer/supplier - although a different meaning, the measurement is the same as the margin .

Hip - A sloping ridge formed by the junction of a pitched roof and a hip end. Hip board - The board along the line of a hip from the fascia to the ridge of the pitch. Hip end - A sloping end to a pitched roof which is covered with slates or tiles. Margin - The exposed area of a slate or tile - usually the minimum is quoted by the manufacturer/supplier and may vary for a given slate/tile depending on slope of the roof and exposure - although a different meaning, the measurement is the same as the gauge .. Nail Sickness - Associated with slate roofs when the nails have corroded to such a state that they fail to hold the slates. Usually it starts with one or two displaced slates being observed but, as the whole roof was probably covered at the same time using the same type of nails, the problem is likely to get progressively worse. Rafter - A vertical, sloping timber used to form the shape of the roof - the side of a truss. Ridge - The horizontal line at the top of a pitched roof - applies whether there is a sloping roof on both sides (a Duo ridge), or if there is just one (a Mono ridge).

Ridge board - The horizontal board along the line of the ridge - normally along the top of the rafters or trusses. Ridge tile - Normally a semicircular or angled tile used to seal the top of pitched roofs (and also hips). Usually the tile is secured by mortar and covers the fixings and top edge of the tiles/slates on both sides. Sarking - Another name for roofing underfelt . Sarking board - Used, where appropriate (i.e. required in Scotland, not in England or Wales) to board over the rafters for additional insulation. Slate - Most UK supplies have come in the past from Wales, this is still available but pricey, in recent years Spanish slate has been imported at a lower cost, reclaimed Welsh slate is also available. Common sizes are 460x305mm and 610x355mm although other sizes may be available. Slates needs to be laid in a brick like bond with a double lap to avoid water entry around the sides, but even with this required double lap, they tend to be lighter per square metre than both plain and interlocking tiles.

Slates do not have locating lugs (nibs) on the back (as do both types of tile) and so each slate needs to be individually positioned and nailed into place on the roofing battens, therefore roofing with slates can be more time consuming than either of the tiles. Usually suitable for pitched roofs with a slope of 23° or greater, larger slates can be used for even lower slopes. Alternatives to natural slate are manmade alternatives, some are lighter, most are cheaper. Soffit - The horizontal board used to seal the space between the back of the fascia and the wall of the building - traditionally timber, or cement board nowadays usually uPVC with air vents. Tiles - interlocking - Traditionally made from concrete with a profile allowing the tiles to overlap each other side to side, so giving much better protection from the ingress of water. Typically 380x230mm with an effective width of 200mm (i.e. 30mm overlap). They are normally laid in straight lines up the roof with a single lap. They tend to be heavier per square metre than slate but lighter than plain tiles.

Locating lugs (nibs) on the back are used to mount then on the roofing battens. Usually suitable for pitched roofs with a slope of 23° or greater. Tiles - plain - Traditionally made from clay, generally about 265x165. Need to be laid in a brick like bond with a double lap to avoid water entry around the sides, due to the required double lap, they tend to be heavier per square metre than both slate and interlocking tiles. Locating lugs (nibs) on the back are used to mount then on the roofing battens. Usually suitable for pitched roofs with a slope of 35° or greater. Tingle - A small strip of lead, zinc or copper, nailed to the batten under a displaced slate, the slate is then replaced and the bottom of the tingle is bent up over the bottom edge of the slate and back onto the front surface to hold it in place. Usually a temporary repair for an old roof as their use can be a sign of ' nail sickness '. Truss - Normally, factory made roof frame.

Underfelt - A layer of material between the back of the slate/tiles and the roof frame providing slight insulation and an extra waterproof barrier for any moisture. Traditionally made from bitumen with a strong woven base but this is liable to become brittle with age and rot where exposed to sunlight, modern alternatives are generally lighter and more durable. Valley - The internal angle formed where adjacent pitched roofs meet. Traditionally zinc or lead sheeting was used on site to create a water channel downwards, nowadays preshaped valley channels are available. Verge - The wall (or rafter) under the edge of a roof where it tops a gable end. The sides of the tiles down the verge were traditionally cemented, nowadays closing strips are available. Glossary of Roof Terminology Glossary of Roof Terminology GLOSSARY OF ROOF TERMINOLOGY Terminology used to describe building components and construction might as well be a foreign language for those who are not familiar with it. Whilst it is appreciated that certain words have other meanings we have listed below an explanation of words used when discussing the structure of a roof. We hope that you find this useful.

Barge Board: Wide board fitted on the end of a gable roof just beneath the edge of the tiles/slates following the slope of the roof from the eves to the ridge. Batten: Long strips of soft wood, usually 38mm x 19mm or 25mm to which roof coverings or plasterboards are usually fitted. When used to support roof coverings battens are fixed to the (Common) Rafters and referred to as roof tile battens. Collar: Horizontal timber tie attached at each end to opposite spars in a pitched roof. Fixed at any height between the wall plate and half way up the roof to prevent roof spread. Common Rafter: See Rafters below. Rafters: Part of a roof construction. Sometimes referred to as Common Rafters. Similar to joists but inclined rising from the eaves (foot) to the ridge (head). Collectively with other common rafters they support a pitched roof covering. Covering: The external material laid or fixed on a roof to protect the building e.g. slates, interlocking and plain tiles, zinc, corrugated sheets etc.

Eaves: Means 'edge' and the eaves of a roof is its lowest edge. The eaves may terminate flush with the outer face of the wall when it is known as a 'flush eves' or it may project. Fascia Board: External horizontal timber board attached to the ends of rafter feet to which the gutter is fixed. Flashings: These are narrow pieces of lead that are required at the intersection between the vertical faces of walls or framing and pitched roofs, flat roofs, gutters etc. to prevent moisture ingress. They are classified into 1) Horizontal Cover Flashings, 2) Apron Flashings, 3) Stepped Cover Flashings and 4) Raking Cover Flashings. Flaunching: Cement mortar filler on top of a chimney stack at the base of chimney pots or protruding flues. Gable: Triangular upper part of wall at the end of a ridge roof Hipped Roof: A term used to describe a pitched roof, the ends of which are also sloped. Jack rafters: These are short spars that run from a hip to the eves or from a ridge to a valley.

Joist: 1) Floor Joist: A bearing timber forming part of a suspended timber floor to which the floor boards are nailed to the top and a ceiling may be attached beneath or 2) Ceiling Joist: A bearing timber spanning an area to which a ceiling is fixed to the underside only. Lean-to Roof: The simplest form of pitched roof consisting of rafters inclined at 30º against a wall. Mansard Roof: A roof that has two pitches on each slope. A purlin normally supports the rafters where the two pitches on the same elevation meet. These roofs often include living accommodation in the roof void. Parapet: A low wall that projects beyond the eves at the edge of a roof. Pitch: The slope of a roof. Purlin: Part of roof construction. A horizontal timber beam, providing intermediate support to rafters. Supported by walls, hip and valley rafters and roof trusses. Rafters: Part of a roof construction. Sometimes referred to as Common Rafters. Similar to joists but inclined rising from the eaves (foot) to the ridge (head). Collectively with other common rafters they support a pitched roof covering.

Ridge: The highest point of a pitched roof that receives the head of the spars (common rafters/rafters). Ridge Tile: A purpose designed tile that covers the ridge of a pitched roof. Roof Truss: Quite common until the 1920's the function of a roof truss is to support the purlins. Sometimes found in very large buildings where big rooms resulted in few load bearing walls. More recently a roof truss means a prefabricated structural timber framework delivered to site to form part of a roof. Roof Void: The space beneath the roof structure and above the ceiling joists of the uppermost room(s) in a building. Sometimes called an attic. Sarking: Boards nailed to the upper edges of spars to which slate and other roofing materials are secured. Sarking Felt: Waterproof material, supplied on a roll. Fixed beneath roof tile battens when laying a new roof or recovering and existing roof. Soffit: The visible covering of the underside of flight of stairs or a projecting surface such as projecting eves of a roof. Spars: Part of roof construction.

Sometimes referred to as Common Rafters Similar to joists but inclined rising from the eaves (foot) to the ridge (head) to support a pitched roof covering. Strut: Intermediate supporting timber for a purlin. Valley: Formed by the intersection of two roof surfaces having an external angle less than 180º. The wood member at the intersection is called the valley rafter and the feet of short spars are nailed to the valley rafter. Soffits, Fascias and Guttering explained! | Stormclad Home Improvements Soffits, Fascias and Guttering explained! Soffits, Fascias and Guttering explained! Posted by Stormclad on 19th June 2013 28 comments Soffits, fascias and guttering all play an important role in keeping your home pest free and dry, they are also highly important from an aesthetic point of view. Having sparkling soffits and fascias makes your home look far more attractive and appealing to buyers. If you are thinking of selling your home, then sprucing up the outside of your house is a good investment.

Replacing soffits and fascias that are old or worn helps to protect your roof and walls, preventing damp and water damage. Clean new gutters and ornate fascias can greatly increase the value of your home, and will impress the surveyor too. Soffits and Fascias explained A soffit is a covering which sits between the outer edges of your roof and the adjacent wall of the house, protecting and sealing the rafter feet. If your roof has a soffit (not all do), you will be able to see it if you stand underneath the overhang of your roof and look up. Modern soffits are usually made of uPVC. UPVC soffits and fascias are hardwearing and cope well with exposure to moisture. Wooden soffits are a popular rustic or period feature, but they are more likely to rot and decay quickly, threatening the integrity of the rest of the roof structure. Fascias are traditionally a softwood board which is mounted to the exposed edges of your rafters, however in recent years this has been replaced with high grade uPVC as softwood has a tendency to rot.

The purpose of a fascia is to protect and seal the roof and the interior of your home from exposure to the elements, to support roof tiles at an eaves level and to provide support for the guttering. Fascias also serve a cosmetic purpose, and are much nicer to look at than exposed rafters. Guttering is used to collect rainwater from the roof and direct the flow of water as it drains. Gutters catch the water and direct it into the downpipes, and towards a drain. Guttering is fixed with the appropriate “fall” to prevent the water from pooling in places that it should not, which could eventually lead to your gutters overflowing, which is then likely to cause other problems. An Overview of Your Roof There are many parts which go into the edge of a roof, including: 1. Bargeboard- The bargeboard provides a decorative finish to the gable end of your home, sealing the end rafters and the verge. 2. Box end- Forms the link between the fascia and the bargeboard on gable ends.

All the fixings and rough edges are covered with trim, not only to look as neat and professional as possible but also to ensure that the roofline remains as secure and moisture resistant as possible. 3. Guttering – Collects rainwater from the roof and discharges it into the downpipes. All gutters are levelled and aligned to ensure that they have the correct fall, leading to the rainwater running in the correct direction and down the downpipe. 4. Fascia Boards- Protects and seals the rafter feet to prevent them contracting any rot and it progressing up the rafters and into your roof. The fascia also supports the roof tiles and provides a fixing point and support for the guttering. 5. Soffit Boards – Soffit boards run across the underside of your roofline, with the purpose of protecting the underside of the rafter feet. The expanded core of the soffit is lightweight, whilst the highly polished surface acts as a seal to water damage. 6. Downpipe – Carries rainwater from the gutters and down into the drains. Should be screwed into the brickwork to provide a secure fix.

Sprockets- Sprockets are made to size on site from uPVC and fixed securely and level to the rafter feet. This then provides a fixing point upon which to mount the fascia and soffit. Once aligned and levelled, the sprockets guarantee the fascia remains straight and true for years after the installation is complete. Ventilation- Vents can either be cut into the soffit when manufactured or fixed to the top of the fascia board before it is installed which is likely to be the cheaper and neater option. Ventilation is essential to allow your roof timbers to breathe and prevent the build up of moisture. Roofguard Eaves Protector- Inserted under the bottom roof tiles, the eaves guard protects the often damaged bottom end of felt in your roof and curves into the guttering, preventing any rainwater running behind the fascia board or guttering. Birdcomb- Installed where appropriate, this helps prevent birds from nesting in your roof, by blocking any voids which lie between the tile and top edge of fascia.

Dry Verge- Dry verge can be installed to protect the verge area above the bargeboard on the gable and prevents you ever having to have this area re-pointed again. Problems that may occur with soffits and fascias causing them to need replacing Improperly installed soffits and fascias, or ones that are old and worn out, must be replaced to protect the integrity of your roof. Common signs of damaged soffits and fascias include: Flaking and peeling paint – sanding and re-painting the affected area promptly can prevent further damage. This is a job which will have to be repeated year on year, as painted timber fascias and soffits will continuously flake and peel due to the extreme weather conditions they are subject to. Rot and damp – Sections of rot and damp on your roofline are likely to spread quickly and can cause significant damage. If you notice that your roofline is starting to become rotten you should seek to have it replaced. Leaking gutters – gutters can easily develop leaks if they are not cleaned frequently. Balls, leaves and other debris can clog up gutters, and during the colder months those pools of water freeze and expand, damaging the gutter.

In addition to the above problems, there are several other reasons why you might need to replace your soffits and fascias, including: Asbestos – This is not a problem in new homes, however any home built before the year 2000 could contain asbestos which was incredibly commonly used in homes built before the 1990s. Asbestos was used as a fire retardant, but it is an incredibly dangerous substance, and prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious lung problems. Infestations – many pests make their home in small damp spaces, and rotting fascias can be a home to many kinds of insects and rodents. Birds Nests – birds frequently make their homes in the rafters and disused chimneys of homes. Many of those birds are protected species, so care must be taken when moving them. Seek professional advice before interfering with a bird’s nest. Installing fitting / replacing Installing or replacing soffits, fascias and guttering is a complex process which must be carried out by a professional installer. The existing roof felt and tiles must be inspected, the felt may need cut back or replaced if it is already damaged. Working on a roof can be dangerous for both yourself and your property.

If you do not have the correct scaffolding, safety equipment and training there is a high risk of seriously injuring yourself when working at height. Here is an installation guide featuring our Stormclad professionals. The end tiles of the roof must be removed, and the rafters inspected to ensure that they are in good condition. Assuming the roof is generally in a good condition, the installer will fix sprockets to the rafter feet, to ensure that the fascia and soffit line up correctly to give your roof a smart, professional appearance. Once the soffits and fascia are in place, guttering and ventilation can be installed. If you have profiled tiles on your roof, then you may opt to have bird combs installed to prevent small birds from gaining access to your roof space. Once the soffit and bargeboard is installed on any gable ends your property may have, the box ends are fabricated to exact size on site. They must be measured and cut carefully to ensure that there are no unsightly gaps which might let water, or pests, into your home. Installing soffits and fascias is not a DIY job.

Not only is there a risk of personal injury, or damage to your home, there is also the possibility of finding asbestos in the existing roofing materials. Working with a professional company ensures that the job is completed safely and promptly, with minimum fuss. Choosing the best style for you Traditionally, timber fascia and soffits would be installed; however this merely creates a lifetime of difficult maintenance. You repeatedly have to be up a ladder to ensure the condition of the timber remains good through continual painting, treatment and repairs. In recent years it has become common practice to install uPVC roofline as this needs far less maintenance than timber products and therefore is generally preferred to the timber option. UPVC roofline comes in many different styles, with different shaped moulded fascia, coming in different colours and effects. For instance if you live in an old property and want to retain the authentic look, you can have great looking wood grain effect products installed. Guttering also comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes, so be sure to find out all your options rather than just square or round gutter in white or black.

Cost of new fascias, soffits and guttering The cost of soffits and fascias will depend on the size of your home and the products that you choose. One thing you can be confident of is that installing soffits and fascias will protect your home and make your property far more appealing. If you’re looking to sell or just looking for a summer time spruce up contact us for a free soffits and fascias quotation . A glossary to explain some of the terms used within our industry and associated with our products from GTE - Genesis Timber Engineering, Gloucester. The uppermost point of a truss. Asymmetric Truss A truss with two rafters meeting at the APEX, having a different pitch on both sides. Attic Truss/Room-in-the-Roof A truss forming the top storey of a dwelling. Characterised by a central habitable area free of web members with large timber members elsewhere. May have to be assembled partly on site because of transport difficulties. Balloon Frame Uncommon build type in the UK for timber frame whereby the panels are built to roof/wallplate level and the floor is then hung internally from poleplates or hangers.

Battens Small timber members spanning over trusses to support tiles, slates, etc. Bearer A member designed to distribute loads onto a number of trusses. Bearing The part of a truss receiving structural support. This is usually a WALLPLATE but can be an internal wall etc. Binder A longitudinal member nailed to trusses to maintain correct spacing. Birdsmouth A notch in the underside of a loose rafter to allow a horizontal seating at a point of support (not normally used on trussed rafters except with a raised tie feature). Blocking Short timbers fixed between chords or joists to laterally brace them - at least 70% as deep as chords. Bobtail See STUB END. Bottom Chord/Ceiling Joist/Tie The lower member of a truss, normally horizontal, which carries the ceiling construction, storage loads and water tank. Bracing See STABILITY BRACING. Breather Paper A man made material, generally stapled to the outside face of an external timber frame panel. It allows water vapour to pass through from the inside to the outside of a timber frame wall, but does not allow the passage of vapour in the opposite direction.

Breathing Wall (Panelvent or Bitvent) These boards manufactured from wood chips, selected wood waste and forest thinnings have been designed as a sheathing board for the timber frame industry and a sarking board in most forms of construction. In normal situations they do not require a breather paper or vapour barrier. This allows moisture migration from the inside to the outside of the structure as well as providing racking resistance to the structure. Brickwork Coursing GTE™ try to ensure wherever practicable to position openings in timber frame such as windows and doors and soffit lines to brickwork coursing. This is to enable complete bricks to line up with the openings to avoid the bricklayers having to cut more bricks than is necessary. Brickwork Lintels Galvanised steel lintels that are fixed to the external timber frame panel and support brickwork / blockwork over window / door openings in timber frame. Bridging Solid pieces of timber generally at mid spans of floor joists to prevent distortion/twisting of timber. Building Designer The person responsible for the structural stability and integrity of a building as a whole.

Building Regulations An area of building control that states how a building should be constructed to ensure safe and healthy accommodation and the conservation of energy. This form of control is administered by the relevant local authorities, to whom an application must be made and permission received (generally a conditional approval) before work is started. Camber An upward vertical displacement built into a truss in order to compensate for anticipated deflection caused by applied loads. Cantilever The part of a structural member or TRUSS which extends beyond one or both of its bearings. Cavity Barrier Either timber/wire reinforced mineral wool blanket or polythene sleeved mineral wool used to seal off the cavities into zones Ceiling Joist Diagonal bracing nailed to the truss in the plane of specified webs to add stability. Chords Refer to the Top and Bottom Chords which are respectively the RAFTER and CEILING TIE. CLS Canadian Lumber Stock/Sawn/Stud - generic term for timber used to construct timber frame panels. Combined Stress Index (C.S.I.) Measures how much of the strength of a member is being used by the design. Concentrated Load A load applied at a point.

Concrete Screed An in situ flooring of cement mortar laid to an accurate flat surface by screeding. Screeds are laid on the structural floor and usually have no reinforcement - in a timber frame situation it would be laid after the structural shell has been erected (generally approx 65mm deep). Connector Plate/Fastener/Nail Plate Metal plate having integral teeth punched from the plate material. Used for joining timbers in one plane with no overlap. Supplied by system owners and the subject of an Agrement Certificate. Not usually for site application. Cripple Rafter/Jack Rafter An infill rafter completing the roof surface in areas such as the corners of hip ends. Cripple Stud A short stud that is connected to a full height stud to form a bearing for a horizontal lintel for a window or similar opening. Dead Load The permanent load produced by the fabric of the building. Deflection The deformation caused by the loads. Design Load Collectively the loads for which the unit is designed. These consider the duration of the loads -long term, medium term, short term and very short term. Differential Movement Timber being a natural resource is prone to some shrinkage across the grain although it is stable in the longitudinal section.

An allowance is made in the floor where joists do have to lye across the grain. The difference between the timber frame movement and that of the external brickwork is the differential movement. Dormer House Also sometimes known as a one and a half storey house or room in the roof bungalow. This is where the roof space is utilised by using Attic Trusses or similar. The rooms on the first storey will have sloping ceilings and either dormer windows or velux roof lights to allow light into the rooms DPC - Damp Proof Course A strip of impervious material that sits underneath the timber frame soleplates or brickwork / blockwork to keep out moisture. The DPC at ground level excludes rising damp but they are also used to divert rain out of the cavity, to drain through weepholes at the lintel above door or window openings. DPC comes in preformed rolls and made of flexible materials such as bitumen-polymer or pitch-polymer. DPM - Damp Proof Membrane A wide layer of impervious material such as mastic asphalt or a plastic sheet underlay beneath a ground slab to create a waterproof skin.

A surface damp proof membrane can also be used such as what is supplied with a floating floor. Duo/Dual-Pitch Truss A truss with two top chords meeting at an apex and not necessarily being at the same pitch on both sides. Dwangs See NOGGING. Eaves The line where the rafter meets the wall - The eaves are the roof overhang (usually clad in fascia and soffit) which protects the brickwork, or other external cladding from rain. It generally allows air ventilation to the roof void while keeping out insects and other animals. Eaves/Heel Joint The part of the truss where the rafter and the ceiling tie intersect. This is usually where the truss is supported. Erection/Instalation The on site construction of the timber frame structural shell by a specialised team that usually include for there own mechanical handling and accommodation whilst working. A structural shell for an average 3/4 bed house will generally take approximately 7 - 10 working days. Extended Rafter/Raised Tie Truss A truss which is supported at a point on the extension of the rafter, beyond the point where the bottom chord meets the top chord. N.B.

Such trusses must be the subject of a special design. External Joinery The windows and doors etc. produced from high quality planed timber or UPVC. Fabricator A company engaged in the design & manufacture of Engineered Timber Products i.e.roof trusses, timber frame homes, metalweb joists & glulam trusses etc... Fascia Horizonital board fitted along the length of the building to the edge of the truss overhangs. Fascia/Barge & Soffit A board which is generally timber or upvc set on edge along the eaves. This covers the rafter ends and will usually carry the gutter. Bargeboard - As above but used on the sloping areas of the roof. They are fixed in pairs along the edge of the gable to cover the roof timbers and protect them from rain. They can be ornately carved or moulded if required to create a feature. Soffit board - A horizontal sheet fixed under the eaves, concealing the rafters and the underside of the roofing. It runs between the back of the fascia and the face of the outer wall. The soffit can be either flat or sloping.

Fastener GTE™'s premium Nationwide 5 Day delivery service for roof trusses. Fink Truss Named after the original designer. A duopitch truss, the two top chords having the same pitch and the webs forming a letter W. The most common truss type used for dwellings. Firestops Cavity barriers such as flexible mineral fibre strips in polythene sleeves required at junction of separating and compartment wall and external wall with roof. Firring Piece A tapered timber member used to give a fall to flat roof areas or adjust the pitch on a roof truss. Floor Joist A timber (or steel) beam which directly supports flooring in common with other joists (or a ceiling lining as a roof joist) Types of floor joists generally used by GTE™ are - Engineered Timber or Metalweb Joists at 600mm centres, or traditional solid timber softwood floor joists at 400 centre spacings. The cross sectional sizes usually used are 195 x 44mm/ 195 x 70mm and 195 x 90mm. French Heel A heel joint where the top chord sits on the top of the bottom chord.

Gable End The end wall (parallel to the individual trusses) extended up vertically to the plane of the top chords of the trusses. Gable Ladder The structural link between trusses and gable panels that will overhang to form the eaves. They will often be used as a fixing for barge board and soffit Gable Panels/Spandrel Panels Triangular external infill wall panels that form the gable ends of a House and follow the roof profile or pitch. Gang-Nail Registered tradename of Gang-Nail Systems Limited. Girder Truss A truss comprising two or more individual trusses fixed together and designed to carry exceptional loads such as those imparted by other trusses. Glulam Large section timber material for structural applications. It is an engineered product built up by gluing together layers of timber boards with staggered joints in lengths up to 13.5 metres.

Ground Floor Finishes/Floating Floor Ground floor finish layed when the structure is watertight which generally consists of Vapour barrier / 60mm Polystyrene and 18mm V313 Moisture resistant floor decking POWER FLOAT FLOOR - A finished concrete floor that is layed using a power float machine before the timber frame arrives. The concrete is screeded off flat and allowed to reach initial set before work starts. This method avoids having to lay a screed or a floating floor at a later date. Hanger A metal component designed to provide a connection between a truss or other component and its support. Head Binder Horizontal timber member that ties together individual wall panels. Heel/Eaves Joint The part of a truss where the top and bottom chords intersect, normally where a truss is supported. Hip Board A raking member extending from ridge to corner in hip end construction. Hip Corner A corner turn in a building incorporating a hip end. Hip End An alternative to a gable end. The end wall is finished to the same height as the adjacent walls. The roof inclines from the end wall usually at the same pitch as the main trusses. See HIP SET.

Hip Set The trusses and possibly loose timber forming a hip end. Horn/Nib The projection of the bottom chord of a trussed rafter built into masonry as a bearing. Used on monopitch and stub end trusses. I Beams/Engineered Timber Joists These generally use laminated veneer lumber flanges, routed to accommodate an OSB centre web. They can accommodate larger spans than standard joists and are a lightweight, uniform product. Advantages include reduced shrinkage, cupping, bowing, twisting and splitting that can be associated with standard joists. Imposed Load The load produced by occupancy and use including storage, inhabitants, moveable partitions and snow, but not wind. Can be long, medium or short term. Insulation The materials used in walls / floors and roof space to create a warm structure to satisfy the clients requirements and comply with part L of the building regulations . Types of insulation are- TIMBER BATTS - A semi-rigid unfaced slab designed to give thermal and acoustic insulation and fire resistance. It is push fitted between studs at 600mm centres and is made from natural materials and recycled glass.

(generally used for external and internal panels) ROLLS - A product that is produced from fine, non-combustible glass mineral wool and generally used in horizontal applications such as roof and floor areas. POLYURATHANE - Expanded plastics that have excellent insulation properties. It is generally used as a rigid board for installation in sloping roofs or even between the studs in external wall panels. It can also be sprayed in situ as an expanding foam to follow complex shapes. WARMCELL - This is an insulation material made from recycled material such as paper. It is blown into the required area pneumatically by specialist contractors on site from a van mounted machine. It is used in wall panels / horizontal and sloping roof areas and floors and can result in high U values. Internal Member/Web A timber member used to transmit forces between chords. Internal Partitions Timber wall panels that are prefabricated and generally without sheathing unless required for engineering purposes. Intersection The area where one roof meets another. Jig/Pedestal Equipment used in the laying out and clamping in position of the components of a truss prior to pressing.

Joist hangers Galvanised steel hangers that can be nailed to timber or other materials that floor joists or roof trusses sit into for support. King Post Internal member (web) which connects the APEX to the bottom chord/ceiling tie on a truss. Live Load A term often used instead of IMPOSED LOAD. Longitudinal Bracing Component of STABILITY BRACING. Loose Timber Members not forming part of a truss but necessary for the formation of the roof. See JACK/CRIPPLE RAFTER. Monopitch Truss A truss in the form of a right-angled triangle, having a single top chord. Nail Plate See CONNECTOR PLATE. National House Building Council - NHBC (NHBC / NHBC Builder) An organisation that encourages better house building. It has a register of reputable house builders and includes services such as conciliation between builders and purchasers, the NHBC Warranty, ten year insurance on new houses and advice on proper site practices. GTE™™ will provide a suitably signed engineers certificate for the timber frame structure if the NHBC route is chosen by the client for insurance and warranties. Nib Point on a truss where members intersect.

Nogging Timber pieces fitted at right angles between the chords of trusses to form fixing points for ceiling materials. Noggins (Plasterboard) A horizontal member fitted between 2 studs, Joists or Trusses generally to supply a fixing for plasterboard. Notching & Drilling (For services) It is important the joists and studs are notched and drilled for services (to run cables and pipes through) in areas indicated by the supplier only. Notching and drilling zones will be indicated by the manufacturer in their standard details so as not to impair the structural integrity of the structure. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Timber board generally used to sheath external panels of timber frame. It is manufactured by flakes of timber 'snowed' into a mat using a small electrical charge so the resulting board has a specific strength. Overhang Measurement on plan from the intersection point of the underside of top and bottom chords to the end cut of the rafter. Padstone A reinforced member/area built in a wall to distribute the pressure from a concentrated load onto a larger area of wall.

Panel Construction In a panel system the structural studs are spaced at 400 / 600mm centres and carry the loads down to the foundations via the soleplate. Timber frame external walls (and internal loadbearing) are required to carry the dead and imposed loads acting on the structure and transmit them to the foundations. On average the panels can vary from around 2 metres in length upwards if a crane is being used on site. Part Profile See STUB END. Party Floor A separating floor between flats that has to perform similar duties to the party wall above. A party floor has to give more consideration to impact sound insulation as well as airborne sound. Party Wall/Compartmentation A separating wall between two dwellings that must fulfil two main requirements 1, To reduce the passage of sound between the dwellings to levels set out in part e of the building regulations. 2, To comply with regulations as to give adequate fire protection between the buildings right up to the roof and through the cavities. Timber frame party walls perform well above building regulation requirements and the main components that improve sound and fire insulation is the type and mass of plasterboard used, the addition of insulation and adequate cavities between structures.

Peak Design stresses for grades of timber published in BS5268:Part 2 . Pitch The angle of the chord (usually rafter) to the horizontal measured in degrees. Plate See CONNECTOR/NAIL PLATE. Plate Location/Position Tolerance Acceptable deviation from specified location. Design allowance is 5mm in both orthogonal directions. May be specified greater. Platform Frame Most timber frame construction in the UK is generally platform frame. It is where a structure is built sequentially upwards in platforms (floor by floor). Plywoods These consist of an odd number of thin layers of timber with their grains alternating across and along the panel or sheet. They are then glued together to form a strong board which will retain its shape and not have a tendency to shrink, expand or distort. Generally used for floor decking or as sheathing boards. Post & Beam Construction Differing Timber frame construction method to the panel construction that GTE™ generally use. It is where heavy structural Glulam or timber posts and beams are used (generally 150 x 150mm or larger) to transfer all the loads of the structure down to the foundations.

Purlins Timber members spanning over trusses and supporting cladding such as galvanised corrugated steel sheet. Also, spanning between trusses and supporting loose rafters. Quarter Point The point on the rafter where an internal member/web connects in a 'FINK' type trussed rafter. Queen Post Internal member (web) which connects the APEX & CEILING JOIST/TIE to a third point on a TRUSS. Racking Resistance The wall panel studs (generally set at 600mm centres) carry the vertical loads from the floor/roof down to the foundations. The studs must be restrained using a sheet material such as plywood or oriented strand board to provide resistance to racking and stiffen the structure. Rafter Diagonal Bracing Component of STABILITY BRACING. Rafter/Top Chord A sloping roof beam that generally runs from eave to ridge. Most roof elements are generally pre-fabricated trusses but rafters are used for infilling and for other areas where prefabrication is not practical. This term can also be applied to the principal rafter of a truss. Raised Tie Truss See VALLEY FRAMES.

Remedial Detail A modification produced by the Trussed Rafter Designer to overcome a problem with the trussed rafter after its manufacture. Return Span The span of a truss being supported by a girder truss. Ridge The line formed by truss apexes. Ridge Board Timber running along a ridge and sandwiched between oncoming loose rafters. Roof Designer The person responsible for the design of the roof as a whole so that it is stable in itself and is capable of transmitting wind forces on walls and roof to suitable buttressing walls. The Roof Designer is appointed by the Building Designer or can be the Building Designer himself. Roof Truss These are triangulated plane roof frames designed to give clear spans between the external supporting walls. They are delivered to site as prefabricated components and fixed to wall plates generally at 600mm centres. They receive lateral stability through wind bracing timbers that are fixed through them to bind them together. Room-in-the Roof See ATTIC TRUSS. Sap Rating The standard application procedure that defines the energy efficiency of a structure by taking into account items such as heating systems, the position of the site and the makeup and materials of the structure.

Sarking A material such as plywood or OSB applied to the upper surface of rafters on a roof to give a continuous panel support. A system that is used as standard in Scotland, but uncommon in England and Wales. Scab Additional timber connected to a truss to effect a splice, extension or local reinforcement. Scaffolding These are temporary working platforms erected around the perimeter of a building to provide a safe working place at a convenient height. With timber frame the scaffolding is generally erected around three sides of the building before the kit is delivered. It is then enclosed at a suitable time. The scaffolding is erected far enough away from the external wall panels so it can stay up throughout the build for use by bricklayers and roofers etc. Setting-Out-Point The point on a truss where the undersides of the top and bottom chords intersect. Sheathing Boards laid side by side - tongued and grooved boarding is used for flooring (generally 18 or 22mm moisture resistant chipboard/OSB or plywood) and close boarding for timber frame panels and roofs (9mm OSB or plywood generally used for panels) Skew Nailing Driving nails at angles into the surfaces to be joined.

A method of fixing trussed rafters to wall plate by use of nails applied through chords. Soffit Board fixed underneath EAVES overhang along the length of the building to conceal timbers. Soleplate A horizontal timber member fixed to the ground floor slab to which the wall panels are then nailed to. It is generally treated with a powerful preservative. Soleplate Layout One of the first jobs to be done by GTE™ after receiving an order is to issue a soleplate layout. This is an accurately dimensioned drawing for the ground workers to set out the foundations precisely. It indicates the load bearing and non-loadbearing panels. It is important that the foundations are constructed accurately to the timber frame soleplate to ensure a successful and smooth running project. Soleplate Ties/Anchors The soleplate fixings serve two purposes, to locate the plates accurately during construction setting out the superstructure. They also transfer wind loads down to the foundations once the building is completed. The soleplates may be fixed by shot-firing through the timber into the concrete slab or using stainless steel soleplate fixing anchors/shoes. Soleplates may also be fixed to brickwork substructures using stainless steel straps.

Sound Insulation The reduction of the sound transmission from one space to another especially significant through walls and floors between separate dwellings (see party wall / party floor) Span Span over all wall plates. The distance between the outside edge of the two supporting wall plates and sometimes equal to overall length of bottom chord. Spandrel Panel Timber frame triangular panel forming gable wall above ceiling line. Splice A joint between two in-line members employing a metal connector plate or glued finger joint. Spreader Beam Spreader Beam See BEARER. Stability Bracing An arrangement of loose timbers installed in the roof space to provide lateral support to truss members and to the trusses. Stick Build A method of timber frame where a structure is built on site from loose materials as opposed to in the factory. This type of construction is more common in the United States and Canada than in Britain. Strap Metal component designed to fix trusses and wall plates to walls. Heavy duty type for lateral fixing and standard used for holding down. Strut Internal member connecting the third point and the quarter point on a FINK TRUSS. Stub End A truss type formed by the truncation of a normal triangular truss.

Studs A vertical timber (generally 90 x 38mm, 115 x 38mm or 140 x 38mm) that forms the wall panels and is the height of the required wall. Superchord A means of provinding deep chord memebers by connecting together two memebers at there edge using Gang-Nail connector plates, us System Owner Owner of an integrated system of truss design and manufacture. Provides fabricators with application software,design expertise and fabrication machinery, In addition to the manufacture of nail plates (e.g. Gang-Nail Systems Ltd) Tank Platform & Walkway Timber bearers and floor decking such as chipboard or plywood that are installed in the roof space to form a walkway and take the load of the storage water tank. TCB - Thermal Cavity Barrier A non combustible material (generally flexible mineral fibre strips in polythene sleeves) which cuts off the path of smoke and fire. It is mainly used vertically either side of party walls and up the lengths of the eaves on gable ends.

Fire Barrier consisting of 300 x 50mm x 4m wire backed insulation, single folded at floor & ceiling zones, rafter zone and vertically at external junctions and is also used in party wall /floor situations. Temporary Bracing An arrangement of diagonal loose timbers installed for safety during erection. Often incorporated with permanent STABILITY BRACING. TFA Timber Frame Association. Organisation which represents the timber frame industry. Third Point Point on a ceiling joist where an internal member/web connects in a truss. Tie Trussed Rafter Association. Organisation which represents the truss industry. TRADA Quality Assurance Scheme Formalised method of quality control in the manufacture of trusses administered by the Timber Research and Development Association. Treatment of Timber It is important that all timber used in the structural shell is sufficiently treated against insect attack and general decay and comply with the requirements of the N.H.B.C. and the Building Regulations 1995. The various types of timber used in different areas will be treated with a different material such as Tanalith or Vacsol. Trimmer A timber member used to frame openings.

Truss Clip A metal component designed to provide a structural connection of trusses to wall plates, to resist wind uplift forces and to eliminate the disadvantages of skew nailing.l Truss Shoe A metal component designed to support and provide a structural connection/support of a truss to a girder or beam. Truss/Trussed Rafter A lightweight framework, normally triangulated, spaced at intervals generally not exceeding 600mm and made from timber members of the same thickness fastened together in one plane by metal fasteners or plywood gussets. Trussed Rafter Designer The person responsible for the design of the trussed rafter as a component and for specifying the points where bracing is required. U Value The measure of the thermal insulation of a material or group of materials. Uniformly Distributed Load(UDL) A Load that is uniformly spread over the full length of a member. Valley Board A raking member from ridge to corner in valley construction. Valley Frames A set of diminishing trusses that will infill an area of roof between two different roof directions. Valley Jack Trusses A set of diminishing trusses that will infill an area of roof between two different roof directions.

Valley Set A set of diminishing trusses that will infill an area of roof between two different roof directions. Vapour Barrier Usually a layer of polythene, GTE™ generally use125mu, supplied in rolls which is installed to restrict the passage of water vapour, e.g. on the inside of external wall panels on the warm side of insulation. Verge The line where the trussed rafters meet a gable wall. Walkway See TANK PLATFORM. Wall Cavities The void between the timber frame wall panel and the external skin such as brickwork or blockwork. The standard timber frame cavity is 60mm below dpc and 50mm above as 10mm is used up by the external sheathing board of the timber frame. Wall Panel Widths/Thicknesses External wall panels generally consist of 90 x 38mm/115 x 38mm or 140x38mm timber studs, a 10mm sheathing board, breather paper and tape that is factory fixed.

The internal panels are usually studwork (some internal panels are sheathed with a 10mm board for engineering purposes) Generally now 140mm external panels are used instead of the 90mm so that higher insulation values can be achieved. Wall Plate A timber member laid along and fixed to the supporting walls on which the roof trusses bear. Not less than 75mm wide. Wall Ties Stainless steel brackets and nails installed to tie back and brace the external brick or block cladding to the timber frame. Polypropylene tape fixed to the outer face of external wall panels indicate where the studs are so that the ties can be fixed back at approximately 5 per m2. Wall ties provide lateral restraint but do not carry the weight of the wall which is self supporting. Web

Question: What name is given to the boards which protect the ends of the roof timbers at the gable end of a house?
Answer: BARGEBOARDS