A hip is the external angle formed where two sloping roof surfaces meet, running from the ridge down to the eaves. Like ridges, hips are usually covered with special hip tiles or lead to prevent water getting in.
A hipped roof slopes down on all sides rather than finishing at a vertical gable, which gives a lower profile but needs more complex framing and more cutting of tiles. The opposite of a hip is a valley, the internal angle where two roof slopes meet. For the QS, hips are measured as linear items, describing the covering (such as bonnet, half round or angular hip tiles, a dry fix system or lead) together with fixings and any hip irons at the eaves. Hips also increase cutting and waste on tiles and other roof coverings, which should be reflected in the rates.
Related terms: Ridge, Valley, Eaves, Gable.
