Roofing Glossary

Metal Roof

A metal roof is Finland's most common roofing material, manufactured from steel or aluminium and coated with zinc and paint. It is a lightweight, durable and relatively affordable roofing solution.

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Tile Roof

A tile roof is a traditional roofing material made from fired clay. It is a durable, aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting roofing solution that can last over 50 years in Finnish conditions.

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A felt roof is a bitumen-based roofing material installed by torch-welding or gluing. It is particularly suitable for low-pitched and flat roofs and is common on apartment buildings and commercial properties.

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Standing Seam Metal Roof

A standing seam metal roof is a premium metal roof in which the seams are machine-crimped watertight without screws. It is exceptionally waterproof, aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.

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Bitumen Shingle Roof

A bitumen shingle roof is a bitumen-based roofing material consisting of individual shingles. It is affordable, easy to install and particularly suitable for steep roofs on detached houses and holiday homes.

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Copper Roof

A copper roof is a high-quality metal roof that develops a protective greenish patina layer over the years. It is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials — its service life often exceeds 100 years.

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Slate Roof

A slate roof is a premium roofing material made from natural stone that lasts 80–150 years when correctly installed. It is heavy, prestigious, and most common on historic and architecturally demanding buildings.

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Composite Roof

A composite roof is a roofing material made from multiple materials that combines the appearance of traditional roofs with modern lightness and durability. It is a versatile option with a 30–50 year service life.

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Wood Shingle Roof

A wood shingle roof is a traditional Finnish roofing material where thin wood shingles are laid in an overlapping pattern on a steep roof. It is ecological, aesthetically unique, and requires a steep roof pitch.

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Profiled Metal Roof

A profiled metal roof is Finland's most common metal roof type, where a wave or trapezoidal profile is formed into a steel sheet. It is affordable, lightweight, and easy to install.

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Zinc Roof

A zinc roof is a prestigious metal roof made from titanium zinc that develops a natural grey patina on its surface and lasts 80–100 years with virtually no maintenance.

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Green Roof

A green roof is a roof covered with vegetation that improves the building's energy efficiency, manages stormwater, and increases biodiversity in urban environments.

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Roofing Underlayment

Roofing underlayment is a waterproof membrane installed beneath the roof covering that protects the roof structure from condensation and potential leaks through the primary roofing material. It is mandatory in all roof structures under Finnish building regulations.

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Batten Lathing

Batten lathing refers to the horizontal boarding installed on top of the roof trusses that serves as the fixing substrate for the roofing material. The spacing and dimensions of the battens depend on the roofing material and roof pitch.

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Roof Penetrations

Roof penetrations are structures that pass through the roof, such as pipes, chimneys, and roof windows. They are the most common leak points on a roof, and their careful sealing is critical to the watertightness of the roofing system.

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Chimney Flashing

Chimney flashing is a sheet-metal structure installed at the junction of the chimney and roofing material that directs rainwater past the chimney and prevents leaks. It is one of the most demanding roof details and requires the skills of a sheet-metal worker.

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Roof Pitch

Roof pitch, also known as roof slope, indicates the steepness of a roof. It is expressed as a ratio (e.g. 1:3) or in degrees. The pitch determines which roofing materials are suitable and how rainwater and snow behave on the roof.

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Eaves

Eaves are the part of the roof that extends beyond the exterior wall line, protecting the facade from rainwater and directing water into the gutters in a controlled manner. A typical overhang is 400–600 mm.

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Ridge Flashing

Ridge flashings are metal protective caps installed on the roof ridge that prevent water from entering the joint between the roof slopes while also enabling roof ventilation through the ridge.

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Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation refers to the air gap between the insulation and the roofing, which removes moisture from the structure and prevents ice dam formation. Functional ventilation is a fundamental requirement mandated by building regulations.

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Flat Roof

A flat roof is a low-pitched, nearly level roof structure with a slope of less than 1:10. It is common in apartment and commercial buildings, and its waterproofing is typically implemented with bitumen membranes.

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Load-Bearing Structure

The load-bearing structure refers to the roof's structural frame system — roof trusses, rafters, and beams — which is dimensioned according to snow, wind, and material loads.

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Access Ladder

Access ladders are fixed ladders attached to the building wall that enable safe ascent from the ground to the eaves. In Finland they are a statutory requirement for buildings over two storeys.

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Roof Ladder

Roof ladders are fixed ladders installed on the roof slope that provide safe passage from the eaves to the ridge or maintenance points. They are mandatory on buildings with a chimney or other equipment requiring regular maintenance.

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Roof Walkway

A roof walkway is a horizontal platform installed along the ridge direction that enables safe lateral movement on the roof. It connects roof ladders to maintenance points and is a mandatory part of the roof safety route system.

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Snow Guards

Snow guards are safety devices installed near the roof eaves that prevent uncontrolled sliding of snow and ice from the roof. They are mandatory on metal roofs and protect people, property and structures.

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Roof Safety Hooks

Roof safety hooks are anchor points fixed to the roof to which a fall-arrest harness safety line is attached. They are mandatory on roofs with a pitch exceeding 1:8 and conform to standard EN 517.

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Roof Leak

A roof leak means the penetration of water through the roof structure into the interior. It is the most common roofing problem, typically caused by faulty flashings, worn roofing material or ice dams.

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Ice Dams

Ice dams are ice formations at the roof eaves that prevent meltwater from draining off the roof. They result from inadequate attic insulation or ventilation and can cause serious water damage.

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Moss and Lichen

Moss and lichen are biological organisms that grow on roof surfaces, retaining moisture, damaging roofing material and shortening the roof's service life. They are especially common on north-facing roof slopes.

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Roof Covering Wear

Roof covering wear is the gradual deterioration of roofing material due to UV radiation, weather exposure and mechanical stress. Signs include granule loss, colour fading, cracking and embrittlement.

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Underlayment Damage

Underlayment damage means the tearing or embrittlement of the protective membrane or fabric beneath the roofing material. It is a hidden problem that leads to structural moisture damage and rot.

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Gutters

Gutters, also known as eaves troughs, collect rainwater flowing off the roof surface and direct it in a controlled manner to the downspouts. They are the single most important component of a stormwater system.

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Downspouts

Downspouts are vertical pipes that carry rainwater collected from the eaves gutters down from the roof level to the ground and onwards to a stormwater drain or soakaway.

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Stormwater Drain

A stormwater drain is an underground collection point that receives rainwater from downspouts and directs it onward to the municipal surface water sewer or an infiltration system.

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Roof Heating Cables

Heating cables are electric resistance cables installed in eaves gutters and downspouts that prevent ice formation and keep the stormwater system operational during winter.

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