TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
ROOF RAFTER [12 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2015-02-20
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- hip rafter
1, record 1, English, hip%20rafter
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- angle rafter 2, record 1, English, angle%20rafter
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A hip rafter extends diagonally from the corner of the plate to the ridge, and is located at the apex of the outer angle formed by the meeting of two sloping sides of a roof whose wall plates meet at a right angle. 3, record 1, English, - hip%20rafter
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 2 CONT
A hip rafter is one which connects two intersecting slopes of a roof at the hip. 4, record 1, English, - hip%20rafter
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 3 CONT
The hip rafter must extend from the plate to the ridge, but at an angle of 45 degrees with the plate. 4, record 1, English, - hip%20rafter
Record 1, Key term(s)
- arris-rafter
- corner rafter
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- arêtier
1, record 1, French, ar%C3%AAtier
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- chevron d'angle 2, record 1, French, chevron%20d%27angle
correct, masculine noun
- chevron d'arêtier 3, record 1, French, chevron%20d%27ar%C3%AAtier
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Chevron qui forme l'intersection d'un angle externe de toit. 4, record 1, French, - ar%C3%AAtier
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'arêtier est appelé aussi chevron d'angle. Il relie le faîtage à l'intersection de deux sablières, à chaque coin du bâtiment, où il forme un angle saillant, une arête. L'arêtier forme généralement un angle plan de 45 degrés avec le faîtage et les sablières. 2, record 1, French, - ar%C3%AAtier
Record 1, Key term(s)
- chevron de ferme
- chevron d'arête
- chevron de croupe
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Techos (Elementos de edificios)
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- viga cadera
1, record 1, Spanish, viga%20cadera
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
- tijeral de lima de tesa 1, record 1, Spanish, tijeral%20de%20lima%20de%20tesa
correct, masculine noun
- lima tesa 2, record 1, Spanish, lima%20tesa
correct, feminine noun
- cabrio de lima de tesa 1, record 1, Spanish, cabrio%20de%20lima%20de%20tesa
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cabrio que forma un ángulo saliente; llamado así para distinguirlo del cabrio común. Se apoya en la cumbrera y en la esquina de la carrera, de forma diagonal. 2, record 1, Spanish, - viga%20cadera
Record 2 - internal organization data 2011-05-31
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Structural Framework
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- hammer beam
1, record 2, English, hammer%20beam
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
One of a pair of short horizontal beams in a roof, attached to the foot of a principal rafter in place of a tie beam. 2, record 2, English, - hammer%20beam
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Charpentes
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- blochet
1, record 2, French, blochet
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Petite pièce horizontale d'une ferme occupant la même position que l'entrait au pied de l'arbalétrier mais arrêtée à quelque distance de celui-ci. 2, record 2, French, - blochet
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2011-04-28
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Structural Framework
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- valley rafter
1, record 3, English, valley%20rafter
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The rafter in the line of a roof valley used to connect the ridge to the wall plate along the meeting line of two inclined sides of the roof which are perpendicular to each other. 2, record 3, English, - valley%20rafter
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Charpentes
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- arêtier de noue
1, record 3, French, ar%C3%AAtier%20de%20noue
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- chevron de noue 2, record 3, French, chevron%20de%20noue
correct, masculine noun
- noue 3, record 3, French, noue
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Chevron placé à l'angle rentrant formé par la rencontre de deux couvertures se joignant à angle droit. 4, record 3, French, - ar%C3%AAtier%20de%20noue
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Estructuras (Construcción)
- Techos (Elementos de edificios)
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- cabio de lima hoya
1, record 3, Spanish, cabio%20de%20lima%20hoya
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- cabrio de lima hoya 2, record 3, Spanish, cabrio%20de%20lima%20hoya
masculine noun
- cabrio de viga valle 2, record 3, Spanish, cabrio%20de%20viga%20valle
masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Cabio que apoya en la lima hoya. 1, record 3, Spanish, - cabio%20de%20lima%20hoya
Record 4 - internal organization data 2004-03-18
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Rough Carpentry
- Structural Framework
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- rafter tail
1, record 4, English, rafter%20tail
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The part of a rafter which overhangs the wall. 2, record 4, English, - rafter%20tail
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A rafter is a sloping board used to support a roof; the rafter runs from the top of the wall up to the peak of the roof. A rafter tail is the end of the rafter that visibly projects out from the wall. Rafter tails may be structural(the actual rafter projects from the wall) or false(a secondary board is applied under the eave to imitate the rafter tail). 3, record 4, English, - rafter%20tail
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Do not confuse with the closely-related term "lookout rafter, "which designates a rafter, bracket or joist which projects beyond the side of a building and supports an overhanging portion of the roof. 4, record 4, English, - rafter%20tail
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Charpenterie
- Charpentes
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- prolongement de chevron
1, record 4, French, prolongement%20de%20chevron
masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- extrémité de chevron 2, record 4, French, extr%C3%A9mit%C3%A9%20de%20chevron
feminine noun
- débord de chevron 3, record 4, French, d%C3%A9bord%20de%20chevron
masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
D'abord apparue sur les maisons bourgeoises, la corniche n'existe pas dans les maisons les plus modestes où la saillie du toit est assurée par le seul prolongement des chevrons, protégés par une corniche de bois en Haute Mayenne. 1, record 4, French, - prolongement%20de%20chevron
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
L'architecture historique de la collectivité est caractérisée par ce qui suit : - rondins, roche, bardeaux de bois et stuc; [...] - toitures simples à forte pente; - pignons et lucarnes rampantes; [...] - extrémités de chevron exposées. 2, record 4, French, - prolongement%20de%20chevron
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 3 CONT
La toiture à ressaut présente un imposant débord des chevrons. 3, record 4, French, - prolongement%20de%20chevron
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2004-03-18
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Rough Carpentry
- Structural Framework
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- lookout rafter
1, record 5, English, lookout%20rafter
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- outlooker 2, record 5, English, outlooker
correct
- tailpiece 2, record 5, English, tailpiece
correct
- tail piece 3, record 5, English, tail%20piece
correct
- lookout 3, record 5, English, lookout
correct, noun
- tail 3, record 5, English, tail
correct, noun
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A rafter, bracket, or joist which projects beyond the side of a building and supports an overhanging portion of the roof. 3, record 5, English, - lookout%20rafter
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Cornices may be classified into two main divisions. The open cornice consists of exposed rafter tails and the closed type has the rafter tails enclosed. ... Figure 1-7 shows a section of an open cornice. The lookout rafters are made of dressed stock, generally the size of the common rafter. They should extend approximately the same distance above the plate that they project beyond the building line so that they may be firmly spiked to the sides of the common rafters. The part of the lookout rafter that is exposed to view is, in many cases, cut to some ornamental curve at the bottom and to a plumb cut at its end so as to provide a surface on which a hanging gutter may be attached. A fascia board is sometimes nailed to the plumb cut of the rafters to form a solid base for the gutter. The lookout rafters sometimes extend beyond the building as much as 3 feet and are supported by being spiked to the sides of the common rafters. 4, record 5, English, - lookout%20rafter
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Do not confuse with the closely-related term "rafter tail," which designates the part of a rafter which overhangs the wall. 5, record 5, English, - lookout%20rafter
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Charpenterie
- Charpentes
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- chevron en porte-à-faux
1, record 5, French, chevron%20en%20porte%2D%C3%A0%2Dfaux
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pièce de bois courte en porte-à-faux sur un mur et servant à appuyer la partie d'un toit en débord. 2, record 5, French, - chevron%20en%20porte%2D%C3%A0%2Dfaux
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Carpintería
- Estructuras (Construcción)
- Techos (Elementos de edificios)
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- viga atalaya
1, record 5, Spanish, viga%20atalaya
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2003-04-14
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Structural Framework
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- common rafter
1, record 6, English, common%20rafter
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- rafter spar 2, record 6, English, rafter%20spar
correct
- intermediate rafter 2, record 6, English, intermediate%20rafter
correct
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
rafter : a sloping timber extending from the wall plate to the ridge. One series of rafters suffices, if the roof covering consists of galvanised sheets, or some other sheet material. Tiles, shingles or slates are supported on common rafters, which are carried by the purlins. These in turn are supported by principal rafters. The common rafters are parallel to the principal rafters, but more closely spaced and smaller in size since they carry less load. 3, record 6, English, - common%20rafter
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 CONT
On a roof system with principal rafters bridged by purlins, the common rafter is a sloping timber carried by the purlins above the principals. 2, record 6, English, - common%20rafter
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Often simply referred to as rafter. 4, record 6, English, - common%20rafter
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Charpentes
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- chevron
1, record 6, French, chevron
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- chevron commun 2, record 6, French, chevron%20commun
masculine noun
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pièce de bois de section moyenne (8x8 ou 8x6 cm) utilisée essentiellement pour supporter la couverture sur une charpente, s'appuyant sur le faîtage, les pannes et la sablière. 3, record 6, French, - chevron
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 DEF
Pièce oblique d'un versant de toit, inclinée dans le même sens que l'arbalétrier, posée sur les pannes et portant la couverture. 4, record 6, French, - chevron
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Éléments ne faisant pas partie de la ferme : chevron, panne, panne faîtière, sablière, chantignolle. 5, record 6, French, - chevron
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Souvent confondu avec l'arbalétrier. Voir cette fiche. 6, record 6, French, - chevron
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Estructuras (Construcción)
- Techos (Elementos de edificios)
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- cabrio común
1, record 6, Spanish, cabrio%20com%C3%BAn
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
- tijeral común 1, record 6, Spanish, tijeral%20com%C3%BAn
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2002-04-09
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Roofs (Building Elements)
- Structural Framework
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- principal rafter
1, record 7, English, principal%20rafter
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
- principal 2, record 7, English, principal
correct, noun
- chief rafter 3, record 7, English, chief%20rafter
correct
- trussed rafter 4, record 7, English, trussed%20rafter
correct
- main rafter 5, record 7, English, main%20rafter
- truss-rafter 6, record 7, English, truss%2Drafter
- strut 7, record 7, English, strut
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
rafter : A sloping timber extending from the wall plate to the ridge. One series of rafters suffices, if the roof covering consists of galvanised sheets, or some other sheet material. Tiles, shingles or slates are supported on common rafters, which are carried by the purlins. These in turn are supported by principal rafters. The common rafters are parallel to the principal rafters, but more closely spaced and smaller in size since they carry less load. 8, record 7, English, - principal%20rafter
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Often simply referred to as rafter. 9, record 7, English, - principal%20rafter
Record 7, Key term(s)
- rafter
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
- Charpentes
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- arbalétrier
1, record 7, French, arbal%C3%A9trier
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pièce rampante principale d'une ferme de charpente, prenant généralement appui sur l'extrémité de l'entrait et sur le sommet du poinçon; l'arbalétrier soutient les pannes intermédiaires. 2, record 7, French, - arbal%C3%A9trier
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Une ferme simple comporte les pièces de charpente suivantes : deux arbalétriers, qui supportent les pannes intermédiaires; un entrait, qui maintient l'écartement des arbalétriers, supporte le poinçon et les pannes sablières; un poinçon, qui assure la liaison des arbalétriers à l'entrait et supporte la panne faîtière; deux contre-fiches, pour la triangulation de la charpente et le renfort des arbalétriers. 3, record 7, French, - arbal%C3%A9trier
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Ne pas confondre avec le «chevron» qui est une pièce plus petite supportée par les pannes fixées à l'arbalétrier. 4, record 7, French, - arbal%C3%A9trier
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Éléments ne faisant pas partie de la ferme : chevron, panne, panne faîtière, sablière, chantignolle. 2, record 7, French, - arbal%C3%A9trier
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1999-03-12
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Structural Framework
- Rough Carpentry
- Metal Framework Elements
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- wind bracing
1, record 8, English, wind%20bracing
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
wind brace. A diagonal brace between a principal rafter and a purlin in a timber frame roof; used to prevent movement of the frame due to wind loads. 2, record 8, English, - wind%20bracing
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Charpentes
- Charpenterie
- Éléments de charpentes métalliques
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- contreventement
1, record 8, French, contreventement
correct, see observation, masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Ensemble des liens ou contrevents qui s'opposent à la déformation latérale d'une charpente ou d'une ossature quelconque, en particulier sous l'effet du vent. 1, record 8, French, - contreventement
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Établir un contreventement pour empêcher toute déformation de la structure. 2, record 8, French, - contreventement
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Noter le sens collectif du terme. 2, record 8, French, - contreventement
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 2 OBS
Plus généralement, tout ouvrage de consolidation par triangulation à l'aide de pièces obliques, visant à empêcher toute déformation par poussée horizontale. 1, record 8, French, - contreventement
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1993-01-21
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Building Ventilation
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- soffit vent 1, record 9, English, soffit%20vent
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 CONT
provide and install semi-rigid polystyrene soffit vents meeting CMHC 6309; place at soffit on underside of roof sheating between every rafter, staple and place insulation for smug fit. 1, record 9, English, - soffit%20vent
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Ventilation (Construction)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- dispositif de ventilation
1, record 9, French, dispositif%20de%20ventilation
masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1989-09-05
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Roofs (Building Elements)
- Structural Framework
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- supporting post 1, record 10, English, supporting%20post
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 CONT
scissor truss : A roof truss in which the strut supporting the centre of one rafter is attached to the foot of the opposing rafter. From the crossing of the struts(or scissor members) there is a supporting post to the ridge. 1, record 10, English, - supporting%20post
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
- Charpentes
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- moise pendante
1, record 10, French, moise%20pendante
feminine noun
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Ferme à écharpes posée sur mur. Dans cette ferme, les pieds des arbalétriers sont liés avec ceux des écharpes par des assemblages particulièrement solides (...) les écharpes se croisent à leur point de rencontre avec le poinçon et sont, chacune dans son cours, reliées avec l'arbalétrier correspondant par une moise pendante. Cette moise, qui sert aussi à soutenir la panne intermédiaire, fait participer les deux pièces à la flexion, l'équilibre de celles-ci étant obtenu lorsque les efforts élastiques correspondent à la même flèche. 1, record 10, French, - moise%20pendante
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1988-01-07
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- soffit vent
1, record 11, English, soffit%20vent
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, Textual support, English
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Provide and install a polystyrene soffit vent; place at soffit on underside of roof sheeting between every rafter, staple and place insulation for snug fit. 2, record 11, English, - soffit%20vent
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- orifice de ventilation dans l'avant-toit
1, record 11, French, orifice%20de%20ventilation%20dans%20l%27avant%2Dtoit
masculine noun
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Record 12 - internal organization data 1980-06-19
Record 12, English
Record 12, Subject field(s)
- Roofs (Building Elements)
Record 12, Main entry term, English
- common rafter
1, record 12, English, common%20rafter
correct
Record 12, Abbreviations, English
Record 12, Synonyms, English
Record 12, Textual support, English
Record number: 12, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A common rafter runs at a right angle from the ridge to the plate. This rafter is one of the main structural supports of the roof. 1, record 12, English, - common%20rafter
Record 12, French
Record 12, Domaine(s)
- Toitures (Éléments du bâtiment)
Record 12, Main entry term, French
- chevron long-pan
1, record 12, French, chevron%20long%2Dpan
correct
Record 12, Abbreviations, French
Record 12, Synonyms, French
- grand chevron 1, record 12, French, grand%20chevron
correct
Record 12, Textual support, French
Record number: 12, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Le chevron long-pan, qu'on appelle aussi grand chevron est celui qui s'appuie à la fois sur le faîtage et sur la sablière en formant à la tête et au pied un angle de 90 degrés. 1, record 12, French, - chevron%20long%2Dpan
Record 12, Spanish
Record 12, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


