What is the board that the upper ends of the rafters attach to called?

Author: Dr. Tristian Huel MD  |  Last update: Friday, June 12, 2026

A NON-STRUCTURAL member used at the ridge of a roof to provide a common nailing surface and point of bearing for opposing roof rafters. Simply put, a ridge board is a non-structural nailing board located at the peak between the tops of the rafters.

What is the board at the end of rafters called?

Fascia: Found at the end of the rafters, this part of your home is usually a flat piece of wood that covers the end of your roof. The purpose of this material is to support the edge of the roof. This board is usually partially hidden by the gutters attached to the home.

What is the board on the edge of a roof called?

Fascia: The fascia are boards attached to the edges of the roof. The boards run horizontally and support gutters and drainage pipes. Decorative boards beautify the appearance of the house. Keeping gutters clean preserves the integrity of the fascia and soffits.

What are roof rafters attached to?

Traditional rafters frame out the roof and connect to the exterior walls. This system is also called stick framing. Typically built on site, rafters are cut to 2 x 10 pieces and land on a ridge board, which runs across the length of the building. Ceiling joists are then used to connect the rafters and exterior walls.

What is the board called that rafters sit on?

A ridge board is a non-structural member that serves as a 'prop' for opposing rafters to rest against and connect to.

FastenMaster TimberLOK - Attaching Rafter or Truss to Top plate

What goes on top of rafters?

Roof decking, or sheathing, is the strong layer of wood that is laid on top of the rafters and becomes the base layer for any roof covering. Decks are most often made of plywood sheets or stand board (OSB).

What is the board where the rafters meet at the top of a gable roof called?

[2018 WFCM] RIDGE BOARD

A NON-STRUCTURAL member used at the ridge of a roof to provide a common nailing surface and point of bearing for opposing roof rafters. Simply put, a ridge board is a non-structural nailing board located at the peak between the tops of the rafters.

What is a fascia board on a roof?

Fascia. The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The fascia is fixed directly to the lower ends of the roof trusses and usually does all the work of supporting the lower edge of the bottom row of tiles. The fascia board also carries all the guttering.

What are the boards called that hold up a roof?

The sheathing (also known as decking) is the layer of flat wooden boards that attach to your home's rafters or trusses. The most common materials used for sheathing are plywood and oriented strand board (OSB). Roofers use a nail gun to secure individual panels down, making your roof into one cohesive unit.

What goes on the end of rafters?

A rafter tail is also called, depending on where it is used on a home, as an Outlooker, Outrigger, Lookout, or Tailpiece. These components support the soffit system, cantilever deck, or gable end; all of which consist of tongue and groove roof decking and the fascia or exterior trim board.

What is the finished board covering the ends of the rafters called?

The finished board covering the ends of the rafters is called the ____. fascia.

What is the top edge of the roof where rafters meet?

Ridge. The highest point of a pitched roof that receives the head of the spars (also called rafters or common rafters).

What covers the rafter end enclosing the overhang?

This is the vertical finishing edge at the bottom of the overhang. The fascia board is attached directly to the trusses or rafters of the roof. It is the component you see on the edge and often serves as the point of attachment for gutters.

What is a purlin board?

Purlin is a horizontal beam or bar used for structural support in structures, most often below the roof. Purlins are supported either by the building's rafters or its walls. These are most commonly used in metal buildings, but in wood-frame structures, these also replace closely packed rafters.

What is the difference between a bargeboard and a fascia board?

If you're familiar with fascia boards, you know that they run along the eave where the gutter would mount. Barge boards are found in the gable, running at some type of angle that is more vertical than a standard horizontal fascia board.

What is the board under the roof overhang?

The soffit is the exposed board under the overhanging eaves of your roof that goes under the fascia board. Soffits protect your roofing system from the elements by forming a barrier between your roof system and the elements.

What is a frieze board?

Frieze board is a type of trim that is typically installed between the top of a home's siding and the soffit. It's normally installed flat against the home, but it may be installed at an angle if installed on a gable. Frieze board may also be used as a decorative, horizontal trim anywhere in or on the home.

How to attach a fascia board?

Fix the fascia board to each rafter end with not less than two 65mm Trimtop nails or 50mm capped screws at the recommended centres. Leave 4mm expansion/contraction gap at each board end and cover using matching joint and corner mouldings. Simple face fixed trims can be fixed with low modulus silicone.

What is the board between rafters called?

A ridge board connects the upper ends of the rafters forming the apex of the triangle. Typically, a ceiling joist spanning from opposite exterior walls connects the lower ends of the rafters together, forming the base and completing the triangle.

What is the structural member at the top of a gable roof called?

Ridge and Ridge Tiles

Ridges are common structural elements of pitched roofs (including gambrel, gable, and mansard styles). Typically constructed from wood or metal and running the entire roof length, the ridge provides stability and support for your roofing structure.

What is a rooftop parapet?

By technical definition, parapet roofs are meant to be an extension of a wall where it meets the edge of a roof, walkway, terrace, balcony or structure. Each parapet is essentially a small, short, vertical wall that runs along the roofline. Ancient warriors would stand behind these structures to avoid enemy arrows.

What is the purlin on top of rafters?

Roof purlins are were the mean supports or beams or your roof run horizontally across your roof. These are horizontal beams can also sit on top of the rafters, adding an extra layer of structural support. While not always present in every roof design, purlins play a vital role in specific situations.

What are the boards that go across rafters?

Outrigger. An outrigger is sometimes called a "lookout". These are pieces of wood installed perpendicularly across rafters, from the common rafters in past one roof rafter and secured into the next.

What do rafters attach to?

In most homes, the ceiling joists also serve as the rafter ties. Where rafters are oriented perpendicular to the ceiling joists, rafter ties should be installed just above the ceiling joists. The ties usually rest on the joists.

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