Rake Board
A rake board is the trim that runs along the gable end of a roof, following the slope from the eave to the ridge. It serves the same function as fascia but on the sloped edge rather than the horizontal eave. Rake boards protect the exposed roof sheathing edge and give the gable a finished appearance.
In-Depth Explanation
The rake is the inclined edge of a gable roof, and the rake board trims this edge just as the fascia trims the horizontal eave. Rake boards are particularly important because the gable end is often the most wind-exposed part of a roof — high winds can get under the roof sheathing at the rake and peel it away if the edge is not properly detailed. The rake board, combined with drip edge flashing, seals this vulnerable junction. In traditional construction, the rake board may be a simple 1x board nailed to the fly rafter (the outermost rafter at the gable end). In more elaborate designs, the rake may include a bargeboard (decorative trim), a soffit return, and crown molding details. Modern building codes and high-wind construction standards require specific rake attachment details, including adhesive and mechanical fastening of the roof sheathing at the rake edge. Like fascia, rake boards are increasingly made from rot-resistant materials such as PVC, composite, or fiber cement rather than traditional wood.
Usage Example
After the windstorm ripped off the old rake trim, the roofer replaced it with PVC rake boards and added enhanced drip edge flashing per the updated wind code.