Many parts of a roof are easily overlooked, but they’re just as important as other, more notable parts. Among these is the rake on a roof. This protective element can be found on gable roofs, keeping moisture and other things from seeping into your roof along the edge and destroying the roof’s underlayment. But what is a rake on a roof, and how does it differ from another protective element: an eave? In this post, we’ll take a look at what a roof rake is, and how to spot one on your roof.
So, what exactly is a rake on a roof?
Think of a roof rake as a protective edge of a gabled roof. While many people think of the rake of a roof as a decorative element, that isn’t entirely the case. The main function of a roof’s rake is to protect the home’s interior from any moisture, snow or debris seeping in from the edge of the roof. Any time there’s a transition point on a roof, such as a seam or overlap in roofing material, a skylight or chimney with flashing around it, or an endpoint, there’s a potential for leaks to occur, or for pests, critters or debris to enter the underlayment and seep into your home. One such point is the edge of your roof, which is why a sturdy and properly installed rake is essential.
In addition to preventing leaks, a rake on a roof is also installed to assist with weight distribution of a roof. This prevents stress points which can of course lead to structural damage and leakage. A rake can also help with water diversion, which is something that’s critically important on a roof, especially in climates that see a lot of rain annually.
What is the Difference Between an Eave and a Rake?
An eave and a rake are strikingly similar roof structures. The best way to understand the difference between an eave and a rake is to visualize a gable roof. The part of the roof rafters that extends past the edge of the home on the roof’s sloping edge is an eave. But the part of the roof that extends past the home’s edge on the gable side (or the side with the hallmark triangular shape created by the gable roof) is the rake. Both of these roof structures are meant to protect the home’s interior, and can also be considered decorative, since they’re aesthetically pleasing.
What is the Difference Between a Ridge and a Rake on a Roof?
When considering the different parts of a roof, some might confuse a roof ridge with the rake of a roof. But the only similarity between the two is that they’re both found at edge points along the roof, and are meant to seal and protect the home’s interior from moisture leaking into seams of the roof. The ridge of a roof is the part where two sides meet; on a gable roof, this will be at the top, the highest edge. The rake of a roof exists along the bottom edge of a roof and is a hallmark feature of homes with a gable roof.
What is the Difference Between a Gable and a Rake?
These are common terms to get confused, but there’s a simple way to remember the difference between a gable and a rake. A rake is the part of the roof that overhangs the gable. On a gable roof, perhaps the most common type of roof in America today, the side of the house that exists where the two sloping sides of the roof meet in the middle to form a triangular shape is called a gable. The eave is the part of the roof that overhangs the house, effectively shielding the triangle at the top of the gable from the elements. In doing so, the eave creates an element of reinforcement at a place that would otherwise be an exposed roof edge, which could invite moisture leakage and critter invasion to the roof underlayment.
Replacing the Rake of a Roof
How will you know when it’s time to replace the rake of your roof? You might see signs of warping, bending or other damage. This is common after storms with high winds. While the rake itself might seem insignificant, remember it’s an important part of your roof that seals and protects your roofing structure from damaging things like moisture or pests. The rake board is a relatively simple DIY project, but if you don’t prefer to tackle this on your own, Instant Roofer can help you find a roofer in your area who’s qualified to perform a rake board replacement. This type of repair almost never means you need to replace your entire roof, but if you find that you are facing this type of job, you can use Instant Roofer’s handy roof replacement cost calculator to get an idea of how much it’ll cost for your exact roof size and specifications.