English translation: roof cladding, roof membrane, roofing skin, roof sheathing
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Dutch to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Construction / Civil Engineering
Dutch term or phrase:dakhuid
Flemish term used in an article about solar cells and their application on roofing:
"De zonnecellen kunnen op twee manieren worden toegepast. De eerste is een volledig geïntegreerd systeem waarbij alle bekabeling onder de dakhuid wordt aangebracht.
Explanation: Kluwer Bouwkunde renders 'dakhuid' as 'roof cladding', 'roof membrane', or 'roofing skin'. A further option might be 'roof sheathing', which according to the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction' [Cyril M. Harris, McGraw-Hill] is "the boards or sheet material, espcially plywood, fastened to the roof rafters, onto which the shingle or other roof covering is laid". I 'd think I'd go for 'roofing skin' here -- the more or less literal translation.
Madeline, Richard's view on TC is just one of many. In the instance we are not talking of the UK construction industry. This is for a Belgian company with its sights on expanding its clientel borders beyond that of Belgium. Thus, what may be particular to the UK, may not necessarily apply in Belgium. The whole point is to try to reach a consensus as to which term (in casu) will suit here. If you have read the TC comments in detail you will have noted my next course of action which, to repeat, is to make one initial choice: roof(ing) skin) and then to submit ALL other variants suggested to the client who, based on their most intiamte knowledge of all of the ins-and-outs of their own product and its detailed applications, hpefully will be able to make their own "best choice." Disagreement is healthy. Don't take it so personally, already-Nu?
On TC, Andrew Richard Bramhall states "...in the U.K at least the word membrane is used even where the 'skin' is rigid and inflexible, like here." And further on "The concept of roofing membrane has expanded considerably in the 20 years I worked in construction in the U.K, to include hard and rigid liners as membranes which were traditionally flexible, foldable, etc." So perhaps YOU should have another look at TC and concede that perhaps I am not daft and that maybe I know my roofing terminology in the UK?
I wonder if the wrong term hasn't been used in the source text. A 'dakhuid' would indeed be a roof membrane, but the context leads me, and obviously the translator in this case, to think that they are referring to the roofing itself and not a membrane under it, unless the solar cells were the roofing itself, in which case it is referred to as a membrane. Or at least, that's how I understand it.
The question is what is the meaning of the word "dakhuid". I put it to you that the correct term is roof membrane, although I concede there are people who call it roof skin. If you consult Google images for roof skin, you will find the term is used predominantly with regard to car roofs. I am merely advising you on usage of roofing terms in English whether or not they involve PV cell installation.
Madeline: I was not being insulting. If, as the Dutch say, you hve "long toes" then so be it. The essence of the point in this question - albeit about solar cells or, in fact any other apparatus mounted on a roof, is about the location of the wiring itself. Your initial answer, IMO, deviated from the core issue - hence my "reprimand".
We've all done it! Not reading the question closely enough. It's only human! No need to feel offended - just perhaps "cut back your toe-nails! LOL
And if you did feel I was insulting - it certainly was not the case. But do bear in mind another Old English saying: If the cap fits.....
With Andrew. A membrane in roofing would sooner refer to a waterproof lining or such, under the roof cladding. As I read it they're simply talking about running the wiring for the panels under the roof, as opposed to over it.
Madeline, I think you missed the point. The issue is about where the wiring/cabling is to be positioned. If you are further interested, refer to the discussions on TC about this subject.
Old English School adage: Read the examination question at least three times before starting on your answer! Duh!! LOL
Please see my comment to Jack's answer. In researching terminology for my own translations, I have rarely found "skin" used on English language sites in conjunction with the mounting of photovoltaic cells. Almost always "membrane". I have given a reference in my agreement to Jack's answer where membrane is listed about five times but there is no reference to skin or cladding. You will find many other references to membrane if you research English sites on mounting PV cells.
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Answers
16 mins confidence:
roof
Explanation: They probably mean the top layer, thus material, of the roof: tiles, slats, thatch etc. Roof or roof material.
Olly Pekelharing Local time: 23:26 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 46
Explanation: Kluwer Bouwkunde renders 'dakhuid' as 'roof cladding', 'roof membrane', or 'roofing skin'. A further option might be 'roof sheathing', which according to the Dictionary of Architecture & Construction' [Cyril M. Harris, McGraw-Hill] is "the boards or sheet material, espcially plywood, fastened to the roof rafters, onto which the shingle or other roof covering is laid". I 'd think I'd go for 'roofing skin' here -- the more or less literal translation.
Jack den Haan Netherlands Local time: 23:26 Native speaker of: Dutch, English PRO pts in category: 233
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Asker: Thanks Jack. Based on yours and answers elsewhere, I have almost certainly reached a decision to go for roof(ing) skin because it covers most eventualities w.r.t. type of roof (pitched, flat etc. and also constructional materials e.g. bitumen, metal, tiled etc.
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +4
