Glossary

Rafter: The framing member which directly supports the roof sheathing. A rafter usually follows the angle of the roof, and may be a part of a roof truss. The supporting framing member immediately beneath the deck, sloping from the ridge to the wall plate.

Rake edge: The overhang of an inclined roof plane beyond the vertical wall below it.

Random-tab shingles: Shingles on which tabs vary in size and exposure.

Rebar: When concrete cracks it will separate or become uneven, rebar is a rod of steel placed into the concrete, usually in square feet one or two.

Refill tube: On most toilets, a refill tube directs water from the Ballcock into the overflow tube to refill the bowl after the siphon break.

Release tape: A plastic or paper strip that is applied to the back of self-sealing shingles. This strip prevents the shingles from sticking together in the bundles, and need not be removed for application.

Relative Humidity: The amount of moisture in a volume of air as a percentage of the maximum amount of moisture which can be held in that air at a certain temperature - cold air can't hold as much moisture as warmer air.

Ridge: The intersection of two roof planes, or the angle formed by them.

Ridge shingles: Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Ridge vent: A single or continuous roof vent located at the peak of a gable roof

Rim holes: A series of small holes, in the underside of a toilet rim, around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse effect, or "rim wash" over the entire inner surface of the bowl.

Rise: The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge.

Roll roofing: Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form.

Round front bowl: Toilet bowl having dimensions of 14" wide by 16 1/2" long (from center of seat hinge holes to front outside rim edge).

Roofing membrane: The layer or layers of waterproofing products that cover the roof deck.

Roofing tape: An asphalt-saturated tape used with asphalt cements for flashing and patching asphalt roofing.

Rough in opening: The distance from a finished wall or floor to the center of the waste or supply opening or mounting holes on a plumbing fixture. Any opening in a buildings framework for the insertion of windows, doors, stairways etc.

Run: The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge. One half the span.

R Value: A measure of insulation. For example, typical new home's walls are usually insulated with 6" of bat insulation with an R value of R-19, and a ceiling insulation of R-28.