The Basics of Roofing Lines
Roofing involves more than simply nailing shingles to a roof. It’s a complex part of your home that needs expert attention. Roofing contractors need to understand the structural lines of a roof in order to properly install, maintain, and repair them. This video breaks down the basic roof lines a roofer needs to know.
Let’s work from the ground up. The eave is the closes part of the roof to the ground (unless you count the drain pipe from the gutters). They are parallel to the ground and usually have gutters attached to them. They are not affected by the pitch, or steepness, of the roof.
Rakes are the edges of the roof that are built at an angle to the ground. They follow the pitch of the roof facet they are put onto. Ridges are the next line. They sit at the top of the roof where two facets meet. They are horizontal and parallel to the ground.
Hips are also formed when two facets meet. They form a corner where the roof juts out. The opposite of a hip is a valley. They are also formed where two facets meet and are slanted downwards.
For more information, check out the video above.
