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The roof structure of a private house - the main elements and features of various types of roofing. What is the roof made of? Roof elements Roof and its components

The roof is one of the most important elements of any building. It is impossible to imagine any residential building without a roof.

However, if you are going to build this most important element of the structure yourself, with your own hands, you need to know what the roof of the house consists of, its main elements and design features.

So what is a roof?

What does the roof of a house consist of - elements

The design and main elements of the roof are:

Rafters – structures that can withstand the entire load of the roof, falling snow, and rain. Mainly made from large section beams made from quality wood, without defects.

Base - looks like wood sheathing, and sometimes it is solid structure, depending on the material used. It is on the base that the roof is then attached.

Roof - part of the roof located at the very top and protecting the building or structure from precipitation. It also consists of many of the following elements:

• Slopes - designed to drain accumulated precipitation from the roof;
• Skates - cover the gaps where two slopes meet;
• Sloping ribs - represent protruding corners in those places where the slopes connect;
• The valley or special grooves are the internal angles that are formed between two slopes;
• Cornice overhang - part of the slope lying in horizontal plane, which extends beyond the boundary of the building;
• Front overhang - the inclined part of the slope protruding beyond the walls;
• Drip cap is a slope element in the form of a plank that protects the walls of a building from moisture;
• Gutters for accumulation and removal of sediments - as a rule, these include drainpipes and special funnels.

Today in low-rise construction the most popular are single-pitched and gable roofs. The design of such roofs is quite simple to construct. with my own hands, does not require the use of special equipment for work.

That was written about earlier.

Roof covering materials can also be different:

Rolled - They are distinguished by a fairly low price and easy, without any special intricacies, installation. Disadvantages include rapid destruction from precipitation.

Leafy – these are metal tiles, cardboard-bitumen sheets and slate.

Membrane coverings - relate to new products. Their composition includes compounds of polymers and rubber. Such materials are “not afraid” of water, fire, allow steam to pass through and last a long time.

Sandwich panels - consist of steel sheets with insulation between them. They tolerate temperature changes very well and have a long service life. Very often used as roofing materials for various warehouses, office buildings, etc.
This is the device the roof and its elements have.

Roof installation is a complex multi-step process. To assemble and install yourself rafter system, it is necessary to carefully study the methods of connecting elements, calculate the length of the rafters and the slope angle, and select the appropriate materials. If not the necessary experience, you shouldn’t take on complex designs. The best option for a small residential building is a do-it-yourself gable roof.

A standard roof of this type consists of the following elements:

Mauerlat is a timber laid on top of the walls along the perimeter of the building. It is secured using threaded steel rods embedded in the wall or anchor bolts. The timber must be made of coniferous wood and have square section 100x100 mm or 150x150 mm. The Mauerlat takes on the load from the rafters and transfers it to the external walls.

Rafter legs- these are long boards with a cross section of 50x150 mm or 100x150 mm. They are attached to each other at an angle and give the roof a triangular shape. The structure of their two rafter legs is called a truss. The number of trusses depends on the length of the house and the type of roofing. The minimum distance between them is 60 cm, the maximum is 120 cm. When calculating the pitch of the rafter legs, you should take into account not only the weight of the coating, but also the wind load, as well as the amount of snow in winter period.

Located at the highest point of the roof and most often represents longitudinal beam, connecting both slopes. The beam is supported from below vertical racks, and the ends of the rafters are attached to the sides. Sometimes the ridge consists of two boards that are nailed to the top of the rafters on both sides and connected at a certain angle.

Racks are vertical beams with a cross section of 100x100 mm, located inside each truss and used to transfer the load from the ridge run to the load-bearing walls inside the house.

The struts are made from scraps of timber and installed at an angle between the posts and rafters. The side edges of the truss are strengthened with struts and the load-bearing capacity of the structure is increased.

Tie - a beam connecting the lower parts of the rafters, the base of the truss triangle. Together with the struts, such a beam serves to strengthen the truss and increase its resistance to loads.

A log is a long beam with a cross-section of 100x100 mm, laid along the central load-bearing wall, on which vertical posts rest. Lezhen is used when installing layered rafters when the run between the outer walls is more than 10 m.

The sheathing consists of boards or timber placed on the rafters. The sheathing can be continuous or with gaps, depending on the type of roof. It is always attached perpendicular to the direction of the rafters, most often horizontally.

If there is no more than 10 m between the external walls and there is no load-bearing wall in the middle, arrange hanging rafter system. With this system, the upper ends of adjacent rafters are sawn at an angle and connected to each other using nails, excluding the installation of racks and ridge beams. The lower ends of the rafter legs rest on the external walls. Due to the absence of racks, attic space can be used to furnish an attic. Very often, the function of tightening is performed by floor beams. To strengthen the structure, it is recommended to install the top tie at a distance of 50 cm from the ridge.

If there is a central supporting wall, the arrangement is more justified layered rafter system. A bench is laid on the wall, support posts are attached to it, and a ridge beam is nailed to the posts. This installation method is quite economical and easier to implement. If ceilings in interior spaces are designed to different levels, the racks are replaced with a brick wall, dividing the attic into two halves.

The roof installation process includes several stages: attaching the Mauerlat to the walls, assembling the trusses, installing the rafters on the floors, installing the ridge, and attaching the sheathing. Before assembly, all wooden elements are carefully treated with any antiseptic composition and dried in air.

To work you will need:

• timber 100x10 mm and 150x150 mm;
• boards 50x150 mm;
• boards 30 mm thick for lathing;
• roofing felt;
• metal studs;
• jigsaw and hacksaw;
• hammer;
• nails and screws;
• square and building level.

IN wooden houses The functions of the mauerlat are performed by the logs of the last row, which significantly simplifies the work process. To install the rafters, just cut inside log grooves of the appropriate size.

In brick houses or buildings made of blocks, installation of the Mauerlat occurs as follows:

The mauerlat bars must form a regular rectangle and be in the same horizontal plane. This will facilitate further installation of the roof and provide the structure with the necessary stability. Finally, markings are made on the beams for the rafters and grooves are cut along the thickness of the beam.

When choosing a hanging rafter system, it is necessary to assemble the trusses on the ground and then install them above the floors. First you need to draw up a drawing and calculate the length of the rafter legs and the angle of their connection. Typically, the roof slope is 35-40 degrees, but in open, heavily blown areas it is reduced to 15-20 degrees. To find out at what angle to connect the rafters, you should multiply the angle of the roof by 2.

Knowing the length of the run between external walls and the angle of connection of the rafters, you can calculate the length of the rafter legs. Most often it is 4-6 m, taking into account the eaves overhang 50-60 cm wide.

The upper ends of the rafters can be fastened in several ways: overlapping, end-to-end and “into the paw”, that is, with grooves cut out. Metal plates or bolts are used for fixation. Next, the lower and upper ties are installed, and then the finished trusses are lifted up and installed above the floors.

The outer trusses are attached first: using a plumb line, the rafters are aligned vertically, the length of the overhang is adjusted and attached to the mauerlat with bolts or steel plates. To prevent the truss from moving during installation, it is reinforced with temporary beams made of timber. After installing the outer rafters, the rest are set, keeping the same distance between them. When all the trusses are secured, take a board with a cross-section of 50x150 mm, the length of which is 20-30 cm longer than the length of the cornice, and nail it along the upper edge of the slope. The same is done on the other side of the roof.

The first option: a rectangular groove is cut out on the rafter leg at the point where it contacts the mauerlat, 1/3 of the width of the beam. Stepping back 15 cm from the top of the box, a steel spike is driven into the wall. The rafter is leveled, the grooves are aligned, then a wire clamp is placed on top and the beam is pulled close to the wall. The ends of the wire are securely fastened to the crutch. The lower edges of the rafters are carefully cut off circular saw, leaving an overhang of 50 cm.

Second option: the upper rows of walls are laid out with a stepped cornice of bricks, and the mauerlat is placed flush with the inner surface of the wall and a groove is cut out in it for the rafter. The edge of the rafter leg is cut to the level of the upper corner of the cornice. This method is simpler than others, but the overhang is too narrow.

Third option: ceiling beams extend beyond the edge of the outer wall by 40-50 cm, and roof trusses are installed on the beams. The ends of the rafter legs are cut at an angle and rest against the beams, secured with metal plates and bolts. This method allows you to slightly increase the width of the attic space.

Installation of layered rafters

Figure 1 shows the cutting of rafter struts into a beam laid on intermediate supports, and Fig. 2 - resting the rafter leg on the mauerlat

The procedure for installing a layered rafter system:

When the main elements are fixed, the surface of the rafters is treated with fire retardants. Now you can start making the sheathing.

For the sheathing, timber 50x50 mm is suitable, as well as boards 3-4 cm thick and 12 cm wide. Waterproofing material is usually laid under the sheathing to protect the rafter system from getting wet. The waterproofing film is laid horizontal stripes from the eaves to the ridge of the roof. The material is spread with an overlap of 10-15 cm, after which the joints are secured with tape. The lower edges of the film should completely cover the ends of the rafters.

It is necessary to leave a ventilation gap between the boards and the film, so first wooden slats 3-4 cm thick are stuffed onto the film, placing them along the rafters.

The next stage is covering the rafter system with boards; they are stuffed perpendicular to the slats, starting from the roof eaves. The pitch of the sheathing is influenced not only by the type of roofing, but also by the angle of inclination of the slopes: the greater the angle, the greater the distance between the boards.

After completing the installation of the sheathing, they begin cladding the gables and overhangs. You can cover the gables with boards, plastic panels, clapboard, waterproof plywood or corrugated sheeting - it all depends on financial capabilities and personal preferences. The sheathing is attached to the side of the rafters; nails or screws are used as fasteners. Overhangs are also hemmed with various materials - from wood to siding.

Video - DIY gable roof

Installation of a gable roof is actively practiced in private construction, since it is the simplest and affordable way construction of a reliable roof for the house. This article describes the main stages of installation, which can be performed independently, with a certain skill in roofing work.

Functional features of a gable roof

The structure of a gable roof consists of load-bearing elements (mauerlat, rafter system) and enclosing elements (roof). A gable roof (gable) has two roofing surfaces located at a certain slope to the outer walls of the building, which ensures natural drainage of moisture from melted snow and rainwater. According to SNiP, the angle of inclination of such a roof should be more than 5°.

The choice of roof slope angle is influenced by:

• type of finishing material;
• architectural features of the building;
• climatic conditions of the construction area.

Construction of a gable roof with high angle pitching is usually practiced when relatively lightweight roofing materials are used and in regions without large wind loads, since the pitched roof of a building is a sail. In addition, the steep pitched roof - practical option for areas with big amount precipitation - rain moisture is quickly and successfully removed from it, and the accumulated snow slides down under its own weight.

Low-slope roofs experience minimal wind loads, but are very sensitive to snow loads. To avoid structural destruction under load from snow masses, the roof should be cleaned regularly in winter.

In private construction, gable roofs are most often erected with an angle of inclination from 35 to 60°. This is the best option in terms of the ratio of roof resistance to atmospheric loads and reasonable costs for materials for installing the rafter system, as well as roofing pie.

Installation of a gable roof begins with the installation of a mauerlat or floor beams, depending on the type of rafter system chosen. The Mauerlat acts as a foundation for the roof structure. It is this that allows you to evenly distribute the load (the weight of the rafter system itself, snow and wind loads, the weight of people servicing the roof), transferring it to building construction structures.

Mauerlat is a beam made of coniferous wood with a cross-section of 150×150 mm (most often). When erecting a gable roof, it is mounted on two parallel walls. If the project provides for the installation of layered rafters with a ridge girder on supports, then the Mauerlat beam should also be laid on the middle load-bearing wall.

When building wooden houses, the mauerlat is not mounted - it is an element for laying on building structures made of brick, foam concrete blocks and other materials. On small buildings, the Mauerlat can be attached to the walls using forged wire embedded in the masonry. When building a house, it is practiced to install a monolithic beam with installed fasteners.

To create a beam, wooden formwork is mounted in the upper part of the walls, metal reinforcement bars are attached (at least 2 pairs parallel lines, one above the other). Using wire, studs or anchors are attached to the reinforcement. It is important to install them in increments of no more than 1 meter, strictly vertically. The prepared formwork is poured with concrete.

The length of the stud with a diameter of about 14 mm is determined based on the thickness of the monolithic beam, the thickness of the Mauerlat beam plus one or two layers of roofing felt waterproofing. In this case, when laying the Mauerlat, the studs must be at least 3 cm above its surface so that it is possible to secure the beam using nuts with wide washers.

When preparing to install a monolithic beam, you should determine in advance the installation location of the fasteners for the Mauerlat. The beam can be laid strictly along the axis of the beam or with a shift to the inner or outer side of the wall. To secure the Mauerlat, you need to make holes for the studs.

The Mauerlat is mounted at least 5 cm from the outer edge of the wall.

If the roof frame is planned to be made of metal elements, a channel or I-beam metal profile can act as a Mauerlat.

Rafter system with hanging rafters can be installed without a power plate. In this case, the lower parts of the rafter legs are attached to the floor beam, which is laid across the walls. The beam acts as a tie and provides rigidity to the truss. Construction of a gable roof using this principle is usually used when constructing buildings with a small span, most often from timber or logs. It is not recommended to install support beams on walls made of piece materials, since a point load can destroy building structures.

Gable roof rafter system

The rafter system includes the rafters themselves (rafter legs), as well as a number of other elements, the installation of which is necessary to ensure structural rigidity:

• crossbars;
• runs (including ridge runs);
• racks;
• lying down;
• spacers;
• struts, etc.

Rafter systems can be mounted from wood or metal, or a combination of both types of materials.

Designing a rafter system is an important stage in preparation for construction. Errors in the design can lead to the roof collapsing over time under the influence of operational loads. On the other hand, having designed an excessive safety margin for the roof frame, you will have to spend extra money on its construction.

The design of the rafter system of a gable roof is based on the most stable and rigid geometric figure - a triangle. When installing rafter systems of simple design, the rafters are made of timber with a cross-section from 40×150 mm to 100×250 mm. The choice of a specific value depends on the following factors:

• installation step;
• rafter leg length;
• calculated load value.

In turn, the installation step of the rafter legs is influenced by the type of roofing pie - if installation is planned warm roof, then this parameter is selected taking into account the width of the roll or sheet insulation.

Types of rafter structures

When considering how to build a gable roof, you need to pay attention to the specifics of constructing rafter systems various designs– with hanging and layered rafters. Rafter legs are the main element of the frame of a gable roof. They serve as a support for the roofing pie. Hanging rafters do not have intermediate supports, and rest only on the walls of the building. Layered rafters have additional support points.

A truss, assembled from two rafter legs and a lower tie or an upper crossbar, is a structure that works in compression and bending. The bursting effect from the rafter legs mounted at an angle is compensated by the horizontal lintel. The higher the tie is mounted, the stronger and more rigidly one should be secured. This design allows you to cover even wide spans.

The upper part of the hanging rafters can be attached different ways. The rigid fastening of the upper ends of the rafter legs is reinforced with the help of overhead elements made of wood or metal. When attaching the rafter legs to the mauerlat, a cutout (saddle) is made on the lower part of the rafter, after which the element is rigidly secured with nails and twisted wire. If rafters are installed on a floor beam, a stop is cut into the beam to prevent movement, and a single or double tooth is cut into the rafter. Installation is carried out using various metal fasteners.

There is no cutout in the Mauerlat timber so as not to weaken the load-bearing capacity of the roof support.

A roof frame with layered rafters is installed if the building has a middle load-bearing wall or columnar supports. The span between the supports should be no more than 6.5-7 meters. The width of the floor can be increased by installing additional supports: up to 11.5-12 meters with one additional support and up to 15-15.5 meters with two. To increase the rigidity of the rafter system and expand the opening between the supports, you should install a rack with struts under the ridge girder. The load on the roof is transferred by the middle part of the rafters to the internal supports, and by the lower ends to the external walls.

Installation of a rafter system with layered rafters is somewhat simpler than assembling and installing roof trusses. After installing the ridge girder on the gables of the building or special racks, the rafters are attached to it with the upper part.

In some cases, it is advisable to use both layered and hanging rafters when installing the roof frame.

The construction of the rafter system should be carried out using quality material to ensure the longevity of the roof. The lumber must have a strict geometric shape; wood defects are not allowed. To prevent wooden elements from warping after installation, the material must be well dried. Before installation, it is necessary to treat the prepared parts with a fire-retardant agent.

Roofing pie device

The question of how to properly build a gable roof, in particular, is related to the competent execution of the roofing pie. The functionality of the design, its ability to provide reliable protection buildings from external influences.

When installing the roof, it is important to follow the designed pitch of the sheathing, having previously installed a counter-lattice to create a ventilation gap for the roofing pie. To ensure the necessary air circulation in the under-roof space, a ventilation duct is installed in the ridge part, and ventilation holes are provided in the lining of the eaves overhangs.

Particular attention is paid to reliable waterproofing of the roof, otherwise moisture condensed on wooden elements can cause rotting of the structures. If the attic of a gable roof is intended to be used as a living space, it is necessary to provide reliable insulation and vapor barrier for the roof.

To ensure the strength and durability of a gable roof, you should carefully approach the development of the project, the choice of materials and compliance with the work technology.

Installation of a gable roof, how to build it correctly, construction

We learn how to install a gable roof with our own hands. In this article you will learn how to properly build a gable roof and where its construction begins.

How the design of the rafter system works, which one is better to choose

The roof structure is considered the most complex component of a residential building in terms of design and installation. The roof is exposed to wind, precipitation and cold, therefore it must be airtight and durable to create comfortable living conditions. The main part of the roof is the rafter system, with the help of which the shape of the structure is created and set optimal angle tilt and waterproofing material is attached. The number of elements of the rafter system, as well as their location, is determined by the configuration of the roof.

Purpose of the rafter system

The rafter system is a certain number of supporting elements that create the geometry of the roof and frame, which gives rigidity to the roof structure and the desired slope. The main parameters of the components of the rafter system and their location are determined taking into account permanent and temporary loads.

In general, the rafter system is assigned the following tasks:

• Creating the shape and angle of inclination. The location of the rafter legs determines the shape of the roof, hence the number of gables and slopes. In addition, with the help of these elements, the angle of inclination of the slopes is formed for the rapid removal of snow, melt and rain water.
• Uniform distribution of the roof load on the load-bearing walls of the house. The rafters of the system are interconnected and distributed in the structure so that the weight of the roofing and snow mass is evenly transferred to the building frame, without skewing or deformation of the structure.
• Creating conditions for normal ventilation and protection from moisture. The roof frame is assembled in such a way that air circulates freely in the under-roof space, and the material itself is reliably protected from condensation accumulation.

In addition, the rafter system serves as the basis on which the waterproofing material and lathing for the finishing coating are attached.

With the correct design of the rafter system, the roof will be reliable and durable and will last a long time. According to experts, a well-built frame is of greater importance, therefore, there is no need to save at this stage. Therefore, it is best to entrust the design of the roof and its installation to professional craftsmen.

Features of choice

The rafter system of a building consists of a certain set of additional elements and has its own level of installation complexity. The number of auxiliary parts is determined taking into account the loads from the roofing material and some environmental factors.

When choosing the type of rafter system, you should pay attention to the following factors:

• Features of the climate of the area where construction is planned. It is possible to protect the roof from destruction during snowfalls or heavy rainfall only if the average annual amount of precipitation is correctly calculated. The optimal roof option in snowy regions is a steep slope.
• Wind load. The optimal design option is selected based on the wind rose at the construction site and the average speed of air gusts. In windy regions, slopes are made flatter.
• Use of attic space. Creating a living space under the roof has great importance when choosing the shape of the rafter system.
• Finish used. In order for the roofing covering to perform its functions to the maximum, you need to choose the right angle of inclination of the slope, taking into account the shape and method of fastening the material.
• Financial opportunities. Installation of a roof structure requires large financial investments, therefore, you need to choose the type of roof in accordance with the construction budget.

Types of rafter construction

No roof is complete without a rafter system. The quality of the roof structure largely depends on what is included in the roof truss system. Vertical supports, horizontal ties and rafter legs provide a reliable foundation and support for the roofing. To make the frame, it is necessary to use lightweight materials that do not load the frame at home. They must be durable, with high load-bearing capacity and good resistance to negative natural phenomena.

The most common options are:

• Wooden frame. This rafter system has low weight and good strength, and the natural origin of the material ensures safety for residents and the environment. The frame is assembled from bars with a cross-section of 10*10 cm or 15*15 cm or boards 5*15 cm. Among the disadvantages of wood, poor resistance to moisture can be noted. In addition, the large length of the products contributes to their bending under their own weight.
• Metal rafter system It is expensive, but when installing a large area of ​​slopes and using heavy roofing materials, it becomes indispensable. The metal profile has a high load-bearing capacity, which allows you to increase the distance between structural elements without reducing strength characteristics. The only drawback of the metal is its poor corrosion resistance. To solve the problem in this case, metals that are resistant to this phenomenon are used.

Structural elements and details

All elements of the rafter system are interconnected. Thanks to this, the structure has rigidity and the necessary strength, and the weight from the roofing is evenly distributed across the load-bearing walls and partitions. The presence of certain structural elements, their cross-section and location depend on the selected roofing material, the angle of inclination of the slopes and the purpose of the attic space.

The main details of the rafter system are the following:

• Mauerlat. This element is a rafter beam located on the top row or crown of the load-bearing walls of the house. For its manufacture, coniferous wood is used, which is hard and durable. The Mauerlat is fastened with metal pins or anchor bolts.
• Sill. This element, made of timber, is located on the internal load-bearing partitions. The bench serves as a support for the posts, which are necessary to support the skate.
• Racks- these are supports located vertically along the entire length of the beam and supporting the ridge or the central part of the truss.
• Rafters located at a certain angle to the base of the roof. The support for the rafter legs is the mauerlat and ridge beam.
• Bolt and tightening– necessary horizontal elements for paired connection of rafter legs. The crossbar tightens the rafters directly under the ridge girder, the tie-rods are slightly lower.
• Struts. These elements are placed at an angle to the rafter leg to prevent deflection. The upper edge of the brace rests against the rafter, the lower edge against the rack or tie.

To construct a simple rafter system design, it is enough to use a mauerlat, ridge beam and rafters. Increasing the level of complexity leads to the use of additional elements that make the structure more durable and resistant to deflections.

Types of rafter system

The architectural features of the structure have a great influence on the configuration of the roof, since the load from the roof structure must be evenly distributed between all load-bearing walls and partitions.

In this regard, the following types of rafter system are distinguished:

• Layered rafter system. In this design, the roof frame rests directly on the load-bearing walls outside and inside the building. Supports on the internal load-bearing partitions are necessary to support the ridge girder. Layered rafters allow you to cover a large area while maintaining strength characteristics.
• Hanging rafter system involves the support of the rafter legs only on the mauerlat. In the upper part, the rafters rest against each other without a ridge. These types of rafters are used when covering structures that do not have internal load-bearing partitions. Rafter truss in this case it has the shape of an equilateral triangle, therefore, stabilizing elements are not required.

The result of choosing the types of rafter system and their structural elements can be simple roof with one or two slopes, or more complex - hip and tent.

Construction of the rafter system: types of rafters, structural elements, roof details, what is included, parts

Construction of the rafter system: types of rafters, structural elements, roof details, what is included, parts

Construction and installation of a wooden rafter system

The roof of the building protects it from cold, rain and wind. This is as important an element as the outer walls and foundation. The rafter system is the supporting frame of the roof. It takes on all the loads: from structures, from snow and wind. To avoid problems during operation, the roof structure of the house must be strong and reliable. Do-it-yourself installation of a rafter system should only be done after careful preparation and study of all the necessary information.

Roof and roofing

Before you start installing the roof of a private house, you need to distinguish between two concepts. Non-professionals are often confused, but builders clearly distinguish between the definitions of roof and roofing. The roof is the entire structure that separates the building from the street above. The roof structure of a private house includes rafters, all other load-bearing elements, thermal insulation material, roof covering.

Rafters - load-bearing roof structures

The roof is the top part of the roof. It is also a roof covering. The installation of a roof requires careful selection of materials. After all, the reliability of waterproofing and comfort of living will depend on it.

System requirements

To properly install a rafter system with your own hands, you must take into account a certain set of rules. Without taking them into account, the structure will not be able to effectively resist negative influences from the outside.

First of all, it is worth considering strength. All elements must withstand the load without destruction. The design of the roof truss system requires preliminary calculation load-bearing structures according to the first limit state. It is he who checks the elements of the rafter system for strength.

The rafter system must be strong and rigid

The second requirement is rigidity. The maximum deflection is taken into account here. Roof structure wooden house or any other should not sag too much. The permissible deformations in the middle of the span are equal to the length of this span divided by 200. Before construction begins, the structure of the rafter system must be calculated according to the second group of limit states - for rigidity.

Do-it-yourself roof raftering is done taking into account that the structure is light in weight. Otherwise, the load on the walls and foundations increases greatly. It is for this reason that wood has become widespread as a base material. The wooden rafter system has sufficient strength, but weighs relatively little. Attention should be paid not only to the roof structure, but also to choosing the right roofing material. It shouldn't be too heavy. Ceramic tiles has lost its popularity not only because of the cost, but also because the roof of the house, its walls and foundations must be reinforced for it.

Weight of roofing material for wooden truss structure shouldn't be too big

Special requirements are placed on the quality of the material. Manufacturing wooden elements should be made only from good raw materials. It is worth considering the following recommendations:

• For the main elements, grade 1 or 2 wood is used. Grade 3 can only be used for sheathing and other small parts.
• It is recommended to make rafter structures for pitched roofs from coniferous trees. They are more resistant to rot and other problems because they contain resin. With the same cross-section, the permissible span for hardwood will be less.
• Before starting work, all elements must be treated with an antiseptic. This stage of preparation allows you to prevent many troubles in the future. You can also treat the wood with fire retardants if desired. This will increase fire resistance.
• It is better to purchase wood from the northern regions, which is harvested in winter. This material is of the highest quality.

Parts of the structure

The rafter system diagram includes many elements. To understand drawings and correctly perceive information, you need to know at least the basic ones. So, what is the roof made of?

Ridge, cornice and slopes - the main part of the roof

First of all, these are the ridge, cornice and slopes. These elements are the main parts. The ridge is the topmost part of the structure. Cornice or overhang - bottom. Slopes are inclined surfaces that are located between the ridge and the cornice.

The construction of a rafter system requires knowledge of load-bearing elements. These include:

• Mauerlat - timber that is laid along the edge of the walls of a building. The Mauerlat is needed to evenly transfer the load from the rafter legs, which are supported pointwise. Typically, timber with dimensions of 150x150 mm or 200x200 mm (for large buildings) is used for its manufacture.
• Rafter legs are inclined beams that transfer the load from the roof's own weight, snow and wind to the mauerlat. Such beams are usually installed from the ridge to the eaves. But when constructing a hip roof, elements appear that have only one of the specified points. They are supported on a ridge or on a cornice. Such details are called spigots. They usually have the same cross-section as the rafters. In fact, sprigs are rafter legs cut off on one side.
• Purlin - a beam on which roof elements rest. The purlin can be installed under the racks. Another option is a ridge girder (crossbar). The rafters rest on it at the top point. The cross-section of the purlin depends on its span, usually 200x200 mm.
• Sloping legs are only needed for hip roofs. They are diagonal rafters resting on the mauerlat at the corners. The cross-section is assumed to be enlarged, usually 150x200 or 100x200 mm.
• The design of a wooden roof requires the presence of puffs, struts and racks. They are designed to reduce the load on the main elements. When building a house with your own hands, it is important to remember that the racks cannot be rested on the floor span. Installation is only possible on underlying walls or on purlins spanned between walls. Such elements can be mounted on the ceiling only if it is designed for such a load and reinforced in the required area.
• The lathing is needed to make a base for the covering. For metal tiles and seam roofing, the sheathing can be sparsely made of boards 32-40 mm thick. For bitumen shingles you need a solid base of boards 25-32 mm thick or moisture resistant plywood.
• In order to make the cornice overhang, install fillies. They become an extension of the rafters. The filly is attached to the rafters for a length of at least 1 m. The cross-section of the element is usually taken to be 50x100 mm.

Load-bearing elements of a hip roof

Another element of the rafter system is a truss. This is a one-piece structure that consists of rafters, tie rods, struts and racks, rigidly connected to each other. The truss has a triangular shape, and inside it is divided into several smaller triangles, which provides it with good stability.

Roof shapes

Pitched roofs come in different shapes. It is worth highlighting here:

• single-pitched;
• gable;
• hipped (tent and hip);
• broken

The most common are gable and hip roofs.

The most common option is a gable or hipped hip roof. The first requires the construction of pediments. Broken lines are relevant when constructing an attic. At first the rafters go at a steep angle, and then at a smaller one. This technology allows you to raise the ceiling attic room. We also recommend reading about the rafter system for a half-hip roof.

Types of rafters

There are two designs:

• with layered rafters;
• with hanging rafters.

Installing a roof on a wooden house is only possible using the former. This is caused by two rules:

• hanging rafters must be firmly attached to the mauerlat;
• in a wooden house, the rafters must be hinged to the mauerlat.

These two statements contradict each other, therefore the rafter system of a wooden house can only contain layered elements.

Only layered rafters are installed in a wooden house

Layered beams are elements that rest on the Mauerlat at the lowest point and on the ridge girder at the top. This allows you to reduce the horizontal thrust that acts on the walls when the rafters try to move apart and take a horizontal position. Elements can be reinforced with racks or struts. In this case, contractions can be placed through one pair of legs.

Hanging tanks are supported only at the lowest point on the mauerlat. At the top they just rest against each other. To prevent the system of wooden elements from moving apart, tightening must be done. It is better to install them on each pair of legs. This option is characterized by a strong thrust effect on the external walls, but it allows you to get more free space inside the attic.

Connections

Before you make a rafter system with your own hands, you need to carefully study the nodes. To build your home, you shouldn't save time or money. Only in this case the result will please you for many years.

Main rafter connection units

The fastening points of the roof truss system, which deserve special attention, are represented by the following:

• fastening the Mauerlat to the wall;
• fastening the rafters to the mauerlat;
• fastening the rafters at the top point;
• splicing rafters along the length.

Mauerlat to the wall

This node can be performed in several ways. The choice largely depends on the wall material. The construction of a building made of brick, block or concrete allows the use of the following methods:

• on the wire;
• on staples;
• on stilettos;
• on the anchor with the device monolithic belt along the edge of the wall.

Connecting the Mauerlat to the wall during construction brick buildings performed using anchors

At wood construction The upper crown of the wall acts as a mauerlat. It is connected to the previous ones using a dowel. In a frame house, the mauerlat is the top frame of the walls. It is fixed to the frame posts by cutting and metal corners with holes for self-tapping screws. Read more about attaching the Mauerlat to the wall.

Rafters to the mauerlat

Fastening is carried out in two ways:

• rigid for buildings made of brick, concrete or concrete blocks;
• hinged for wooden houses.

Rigid fastening can be with or without a notch. It is recommended to do the cutting on the rafters, and not on the mauerlat, since this weakens it. In both cases, the leg is rigidly fixed with nails, screws, staples or metal corners.

With rigid fastening, it is better to make a notch on the rafters and fix the structure with fasteners

For hinged fastening, a special part is used - a slide.. They allow the beam to move without obstacles when the walls of the building shrink.

The hinged connection allows the beam to move

Additionally, the rafter legs are attached to the wall. This is necessary to prevent the roof from being blown off by the wind. For fastening, use a twist of two wires with a diameter of 4 mm, fixed to the wall with an anchor or a ruff. In a wooden house, twisting can be replaced with staples. Fastening is carried out on each beam or through one.

At the ridge level

The layered elements rest on a ridge girder with a notch. Additionally, a board overlay is made on both sides. An overlay is also needed for hanging elements. It can be wooden or metal with holes for screws.

The ridge girder and rafters are connected using a notch

Splicing rafters

There are several methods for splicing roof rafters with your own hands. The choice between them largely depends on the experience of the master. The splice point is located at a distance of 0.15 span lengths from the support. In this case, not only the ridge girder and the Mauerlat are considered supports, but also the struts and racks.

Splicing rafters along the length

There are five ways:

To build quality roof, you need to carefully study the technology, choose the right type of rafters and methods of connecting elements at important nodes. This is especially important when building a rafter system with your own hands.

Roof truss system for a private house: design and installation

How to properly make a wooden roof of a private house. Rafter system: structural elements, rafters, fastening points and do-it-yourself installation.

Types of gable roof truss system: for small and large houses

Each roof is based on a large number of beams, rafters, posts and purlins, which are collectively called the rafter system. Over the centuries-old history, many types and methods of its organization have accumulated, and each has its own characteristics in the construction of nodes and cuts. Let's talk in more detail about what the rafter system of a gable roof can be and how the rafters and other elements of the system should be attached.

Design of a gable roof truss system

In cross-section, a gable roof is a triangle. It consists of two rectangular inclined planes. These two planes meet at the highest point at unified system ridge beam (purlin).

Gable roof diagram

Now about the components of the system and their purpose:

• Mauerlat is a beam that connects the roof and walls of a building, serves as a support for rafter legs and other elements of the system.
• Rafter legs - they form the inclined planes of the roof and provide support for the sheathing under the roofing material.
• Ridge purlin (bead or ridge) - combines two roof planes.
• The tie is a transverse part that connects opposite rafter legs. Serves to increase structural rigidity and compensate for thrust loads.
• The beds are bars located along the mauerlat. Redistribute the load from the roof.
• Side purlins - support the rafter legs.
• Racks - transfer the load from the purlins to the beams.

There may still be fillies in the system. These are boards that extend the rafter legs to form an overhang. The fact is that to protect the walls and foundation of the house from precipitation, it is desirable that the roof ends as far as possible from the walls. To do this, you can take long rafter legs. But standard length 6 meters of lumber is often not enough for this. Ordering non-standard is very expensive. Therefore, the rafters are simply extended, and the boards with which this is done are called “fillies”.

There are quite a lot of designs of rafter systems. First of all, they are divided into two groups - with layered and hanging rafters.

The difference in the design of layered and hanging rafters

With hanging rafters

These are systems in which the rafter legs rest only on the external walls without intermediate supports (load-bearing walls). For gable roofs, the maximum span is 9 meters. When installing a vertical support and a strut system, it can be increased to 14 meters.

The good thing about the hanging type of gable roof rafter system is that in most cases there is no need to install a mauerlat, and this makes the installation of rafter legs easier: there is no need to make cuts, just bevel the boards. To connect the walls and rafters, a lining is used - a wide board, which is attached to studs, nails, bolts, crossbars. With this structure, most of the thrust loads are compensated, the impact on the walls is directed vertically downwards.

Types of rafter systems with hanging rafters for different spans between load-bearing walls

Gable roof rafter system for small houses

Exists cheap option rafter system when it is a triangle (photo below). Such a structure is possible if the distance between the external walls is no more than 6 meters. For such a rafter system, you can not make calculations based on the angle of inclination: the ridge must be raised above the tie to a height of at least 1/6 of the span length.

But with this construction, the rafters experience significant bending loads. To compensate for them, either rafters of a larger cross-section are taken or the ridge part is cut in such a way as to partially neutralize them. To give greater rigidity, wooden or metal plates are nailed on both sides at the top, which securely fasten the top of the triangle (also see the picture).

The photo also shows how to extend rafter legs to create a roof overhang. A notch is made, which should extend beyond the line drawn from interior wall up. This is necessary to shift the location of the cut and reduce the likelihood of the rafter breaking.

Ridge knot and fastening of rafter legs to the backing board with a simple version of the system

For mansard roofs

An option with the installation of a crossbar - used when organizing a living space under the roof - an attic. In this case, it serves as the basis for lining the ceiling of the room below. For reliable operation of a system of this type, the crossbar cut must be hingeless (rigid). The best option- semi-frying pan (see picture below). Otherwise, the roof will become unstable to loads.

Rafter system of a gable roof with a raised tightening and a crossbar insertion unit

Please note that in this scheme there is a Mauerlat, and the rafter legs must extend beyond the walls to increase the stability of the structure. To secure them and dock them with the Mauerlat, a notch is made in the form of a triangle. In this case, with an uneven load on the slopes, the roof will be more stable.

With this scheme, almost the entire load falls on the rafters, so they need to be taken with a larger cross-section. Sometimes the raised puff is reinforced with a pendant. This is necessary to prevent it from sagging if it serves as a support for ceiling cladding materials. If the tie is short, it can be secured in the center on both sides with boards nailed to the nails. With a significant load and length, there may be several such belays. In this case, too, boards and nails are enough.

For large houses

If there is a significant distance between the two outer walls, a headstock and struts are installed. This design has high rigidity, since the loads are compensated.

Gable roof rafter system for a large span and ridge and rafter insertion units

With such a long span (up to 14 meters), it is difficult and expensive to make the tie in one piece, so it is made from two beams. It is connected by a straight or oblique cut (picture below).

Straight and oblique cut for connecting the tie

For reliable joining, the connection point is reinforced with a steel plate mounted on bolts. Its dimensions should be more sizes notches - the outermost bolts are screwed into solid wood at a distance of at least 5 cm from the edge of the notch.

In order for the circuit to work properly, it is necessary to make the struts correctly. They transfer and distribute part of the load from the rafter legs to the tie and provide structural rigidity. Metal pads are used to strengthen connections

Fastening struts for a rafter system with hanging rafters

When assembling a gable roof with hanging rafters, the cross-section of lumber is always larger than in systems with layered rafters: there are fewer load transfer points, therefore each element bears a greater load.

With layered rafters

In gable roofs with layered rafters, the ends rest on the walls, and the middle part rests on load-bearing walls or columns. Some schemes push through the walls, some don't. In any case, the presence of a Mauerlat is mandatory.

The simplest version of layered rafters

Non-thrust schemes and notch units

Houses made of logs or timber do not respond well to thrust loads. For them they are critical: the wall may fall apart. For wooden houses, the rafter system of a gable roof must be non-thrust. Let's talk about the types of such systems in more detail.

The simplest non-thrust rafter system diagram is shown in the photo below. In it, the rafter leg rests on the mauerlat. In this version, it bends without pushing the wall.

A simple non-braced gable roof system with layered rafters

Pay attention to the options for attaching the rafter legs to the Mauerlat. In the first, the support area is usually beveled, its length being no more than the section of the beam. The depth of the cut is no more than 0.25 of its height.

The top of the rafter legs is laid on the ridge beam, without fastening it to the opposite rafter. The structure turns out to be two pitched roofs, which in the upper part are adjacent (but not connected) to one another.

The option with rafter legs fastened at the ridge part is much easier to assemble. They almost never push against the walls.

Option for attaching rafters without bracing to walls

To operate this scheme, the rafter legs at the bottom are attached using a movable connection. To secure the rafter leg to the mauerlat, one nail is driven from above or a flexible steel plate is placed from below. See the photo for options for attaching rafter legs to the ridge girder.

If you plan to use heavy roofing material, you need to increase bearing capacity. This is achieved by increasing the cross-section of the rafter system elements and strengthening ridge knot. It is shown in the photo below.

Reinforcing the ridge assembly for heavy roofing material or for significant snow loads

All of the above gable roof schemes are stable in the presence of uniform loads. But in practice this practically never happens. There are two ways to prevent the roof from sliding towards a higher load: by installing a screed at a height of about 2 meters or by struts.

Options for rafter systems with contractions

Installing contractions increases the reliability of the structure. In order for it to work properly, it needs to be secured to them with nails at the places where it intersects with the drains. The cross-section of the timber for the scrum is the same as for the rafters.

Schemes of rafter systems for gable roofs with contractions

They are attached to the rafter legs with bots or nails. Can be installed on one or both sides. See the figure below for attaching the screed to the rafters and ridge girder.

Attaching the screed to the rafters and ridge beams

In order for the system to be rigid and not “creep” even under emergency loads, it is enough in this option to ensure rigid fastening of the ridge beam. In the absence of the possibility of its horizontal displacement, the roof will withstand even significant loads.

Layered rafter systems with struts

In these options, for greater rigidity, rafter legs, also called struts, are added. They are installed at an angle of 45° relative to the horizon. Their installation allows you to increase the span length (up to 14 meters) or reduce the cross-section of beams (rafters).

The brace is simply placed at the required angle to the beams and nailed on the sides and bottom. An important requirement: the strut must be cut accurately and fit tightly to the posts and rafter leg, eliminating the possibility of it bending.

Systems with rafter legs. There is a spacer system on top, a non-spacer system on the bottom. The correct cutting nodes for each are located nearby. At the bottom - possible schemes strut fastenings

But not in all houses the average load-bearing wall is located in the middle. In this case, it is possible to install struts with an angle of inclination relative to the horizon of 45-53°.

Rafter system with off-center vertical girder

Systems with struts are necessary if significant uneven shrinkage of the foundation or walls is possible. Walls can settle differently on wooden houses, and foundations can settle on layered or heaving soils. In all these cases, consider installing rafter systems of this type.

System for houses with two internal load-bearing walls

If the house has two load-bearing walls, install two rafter beams, which are located above each of the walls. The beams are laid on the intermediate load-bearing walls, the load from the rafter beams is transferred to the beams through the racks.

Systems with rafter beams

In these systems, a ridge run is not installed: it provides expansion forces. The rafters in the upper part are connected to one another (cut and joined without gaps), the joints are reinforced with steel or wooden plates, which are nailed.

In the upper non-thrust system, the pushing force is neutralized by the tightening. Please note that the tightening is placed under the purlin. Then it works effectively (top diagram in the figure). Stability can be provided by racks, or joints - beams installed diagonally. In the spacer system (in the picture it is below) the crossbar is a crossbar. It is installed above the purlin.

There is a version of the system with racks, but without rafter beams. Then a stand is nailed to each rafter leg, the other end of which rests on the intermediate load-bearing wall.

Fastening the rack and tightening in the rafter system without a rafter purlin

To fasten the racks, 150 mm long nails and 12 mm bolts are used. Dimensions and distances in the figure are indicated in millimeters.

Gable roof rafter system: device, components

A significant part of private houses are covered with a gable roof. To support it, you need a correctly selected rafter system and well-executed components.

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The appearance of the building depends, among other things, on the shape of the roof, which can be flat or sloped. There are exclusive options when roofing design solutions involuntarily attract the attention of people passing by. An important parameter by which the shape of roofs differs is the slope of the slopes: flat structures include those in which the height difference between opposite edges does not exceed 3%.

This indicator means that there is a 3-centimeter difference per linear meter of coating. Usually, flat roofs They are built with a single slope, assuming that the roof surface is in the same plane. In the Soviet period in the post-war years, this form of roof was used in construction multi-storey buildings, the so-called “Khrushchev” and during the construction of industrial facilities. During their operation it became clear that flat roofs often leak and their maintenance is more expensive than pitched roofs with attic spaces. Therefore, it was decided to replace flat structures with multi-apartment residential buildings on pitched forms.

Two or more flat slopes are installed on buildings with a large area, but this solution is used extremely rarely by architects.

Basic roof elements

The final stage of building a house is the installation of a roofing covering that will protect the interior from wind, precipitation, scorching sun rays and others. natural phenomena. How successfully the roof construction is completed depends further exploitation building. A reliable roof is the key to the longevity of a building.

Despite the large selection of roofing materials and diversity constructive solutions Regarding the creation of roofs, they have common elements:

• ceiling - flooring made of reinforced concrete slabs or other building materials, which rests on a supporting base and covers top floor. Usually it serves as a ceiling for rooms located on the very upper level building;
• roof frame - load-bearing structural elements of the roof, as a rule, it is a rafter system that absorbs the loads from the roofing “pie”;
• roof covering - a layer of material specifically designed to protect a structure from environmental influences.

The main layers of the roofing “pie” (what the roof is made of) are arranged from the inside out in the following order:

• vapor barrier;
• insulation;
• waterproofing;
• coating material.

For pitched roofs, a rafter system and sheathing must be built, usually from wooden and metal fasteners. If you plan to create an attic space, then you will also need a counter-lattice.

The lathing (you can see how it looks in the photo) can be solid or sparse, depending on the roofing material. It is intended to strengthen the roof structure, since it is attached perpendicular to the rafters, resulting in a stiffening belt. The solid option involves the use of moisture-resistant plywood or other sheet materials. The sparse type of sheathing is made from timber or boards, which are installed at certain intervals.

How to choose roofing material, see details in the video:

Choosing a roof type

Usually, a specific type of pitched roof is chosen, taking into account the climatic characteristics of the region and the traditions that have developed in a particular area. So in the north Russian Federation and in Finland, where winter lasts a long time and is characterized by heavy and frequent snowfalls, gable roofs with long overhangs have been installed for many years. For example, in alpine chalet they almost reach the surface of the earth.

The roof slope is also affected by the average annual precipitation in natural area where the house is being built. For example, when the slope of the slopes is 60 degrees or more, snowdrifts on the roof do not lie for a long time, but roll down along it. In areas where it predominates cold climate, in winter there is always a problem of cleaning roofing surfaces from snow.

In Western European countries, there has historically been a tendency to install different types hip roofs with four slopes. Their roof sections located along the length of the house have the shape of a trapezoid, and on the end side they have the shape of a triangle. The hips are triangular shape slopes, and that’s what a trapezoidal slope is called. No less popular are half-hip roofs, consisting of hips with smaller overhangs than the side slopes. This form has become widespread in Denmark and is therefore also called the Danish roof. Under it there is usually a whole attic floor.

U gable roofs there are pediments made of the same material as the walls of the building and heat transfer from such roofs occurs through the slopes. By replacing the upper part of the walls, hips allow you to save on masonry walls, which is convenient for homeowners living in southern regions, where a thermal insulation layer can be included in the roofing composition. The disadvantage of hip and half-hip roofs is that the rafter system has them complex design and the places where the slopes connect require special attention.

Any type of roof can be not only straight, but also broken, in which the slope varies within the surface of the slope. Similar designs roofs are used in the construction of attics. A type of broken roof is considered to be a half-timbered roof, which is very popular in buildings belonging to old Western European architecture. It simultaneously combines gable and hip (half-hip) roofs, and sometimes has a cone-shaped roof.

The most difficult in terms of execution is considered to be a multi-gable roof, which has the most unusual and original appearance; it requires careful calculation and measurement of the roof during design. When creating it, several slopes are connected under different angles. Sometimes the combination is performed at different levels, not only horizontally, but also vertically. Such roofs are often obtained when a house is attached additional room, wherein outer wall existing house becomes a wall in a new building. A more economical option is when they do not make an extension independent roof, and install an additional gable to the existing roof.

The project is optimal solution for motels with separate rooms, and for cafes with small banquet halls, which have a separate entrance from the street and are located at different angles to each other. In this case, each room is equipped with its own tong.

For private households, a multi-gable roof is installed if the owner wishes to make the roof aesthetically attractive and exclusive in appearance. To build it, you will need a project developed by specialists and a team of roofers, since it is too difficult to build it yourself. Otherwise, multiple defects in the roof will make it and the entire building unsuitable for use.

Variety of solutions regarding appearance can make a choice optimal option complex, and then professional advice will not be superfluous.

The roof of a house is a rather complex structure. It’s difficult to understand it even superficially if you don’t know the names of the roofing elements and their purpose. Anyone who does not understand the information presented is unlikely to understand what the craftsmen who were entrusted with the operation of constructing the roofing structure are talking about. Therefore, read carefully, look at the photographs, and be sure to open the video materials, where various roof elements will be offered for consideration.

But we will begin our analysis with one nuance. It is necessary to dot the i’s in terms of the question of how a roof differs from a roof. For ordinary people, these concepts mean the same thing. And many experts do not differentiate between them. It's easier to communicate this way. But purely construction terminology these are two different designs.

The roof is a part of the roof that includes the roof covering and several additional elements. A roof is a structure that protects a building from precipitation. That is, in addition to the roofing material, it also contains all other load-bearing and additional elements. And this will be discussed below. Now let’s figure out what the roof consists of.

Roof and its elements

You need to start by determining whether the roof structure includes sheathing or not. It’s difficult to say, because it was defined that the roof is the covering of the roof. That is, this is pure roofing material. But let's reason based on the type of the latter.

If these are panels or sheets, then the roofing is a covering in its purest form. If used for a roof soft roof, then the sheathing performs not only the function of supporting the roofing material. It forms the roof itself. That is, we can assume that it is in this case that the continuous sheathing is an element of the roof structure.

Since the conversation turned to flexible roofing materials, it should be noted that it is in them that we can talk about elements that are separate from each other. For example, bitumen shingles. For its installation use Additional materials. Namely:

lining carpet;

valley carpet;

bitumen mastic, as an adhesive composition and a waterproofing layer.

In addition to the three listed materials in roofs with bitumen shingles, and not only, other additional elements are also used. Here is their list:

cornice strip, with the help of which the opening between the laid rafter legs is closed, thereby protecting the attic space from wind, dust and light debris (leaves, twigs, etc.);

ridge strip, which covers the ridge of the roof, or rather the joint between two slopes, the plank can be round shape, flat or angular;

gable plank, it is also an end or wind shield, which is installed at the junction of the roof with the gables, protecting the gap from dust and debris entering the attic;

drips– these are planks in the form of a corner, which are mounted along the overhang of the eaves, their task is to create conditions for water to flow into the drainage system;

valley lower and upper, these are strips that form the drainage of water from the roof at the junction of the slopes along inclined plane, the first is laid under the roofing material, the second on top of it;

abutment strips– this is a corner used to close the joint between the roofing material and a vertical plane, for example, a wall, chimney pipe, etc.;

snow guards: their main task is to restrain the avalanche-like descent of snow from the roof slopes; manufacturers offer several varieties of this element, which are selected according to the type of roofing material, but there are also universal models;

roof fencing– an enclosing structure installed around the perimeter of the roof for the safe presence of people on the roof during the production process repair work and service;

rubber cap for sealing ventilation or chimney pipes round section that pass through the roof;

roof ladder laid directly on the slope, its purpose is to use it for repair work without stepping on the roofing.

These are all roofing elements with names and their purposes. They are mainly made of galvanized metal sheet: painted or coated polymer composition. This does not apply to fences, stairs and some types of snow guards that are made from steel profiles.

Thermal insulation cake

Another controversial issue concerns the materials used in the process of roof insulation. That is, they relate to the roof or roof. This is insulation, a layer of vapor and waterproofing. Again, this is a difficult question to answer, so we won’t go any further.

In principle, everything is done with the roof. Let's move on to the question of what the roof is made of.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer services roof design and repair. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Roof and its elements

Let’s immediately say that in different roofing structures various elements are present. Some of them are the most important in some designs, in others they are simply absent as unnecessary. Some roofs are erected using a simplified design and technology, while others require more complete equipment with elements. So let's understand roofs.

The construction of the roof structure begins with laying the Mauerlat. This is a beam with a minimum cross-section of 100x100 mm, which is mounted on the walls of the house, to them different ways and fastens. For example, it is attached to brick walls with studs, which are pre-installed in a reinforcing concrete belt. They are attached to wooden ones with metal staples.

Purpose of the Mauerlat– evenly distribute the loads coming from the entire roof structure. Because the mauerlat beam will be subject to point loads from the rafter legs. To prevent the walls from collapsing under their influence, the Mauerlat distributes the loads along the entire length of the walls.

Load-bearing frame - rafters

The next most important element is the rafters. They are the ones who take on the weight of the roof, snow and wind, so these products are made from first-grade lumber, no lower. If boards are used for them, then the thickness of the latter should not be less than 40 mm.

There are certain rules for installing rafter legs depending on their length and cross-section. This mainly concerns the distance between them. The table below outlines this ratio.

On our website you can get acquainted with the most . In the filters you can set the desired direction, the presence of gas, water, electricity and other communications.

According to the type of installation, rafters are either hanging or layered. In the first case, their upper ends rest against each other. In the second case, they rest against the ridge girder at the top.

If the length of the rafters exceeds 4.5 m, then supports or struts made of beams or boards must be installed under them. Hanging rafter legs must be tied together with ties. All these additional elements are installed either separately or all together.

Video description

The video shows how to choose a rafter system for different types of roofs:

Ridge run

An important element of the roof. It forms the ridge, but in a structure with layered rafter legs it is a support for them. The ridge run must be installed horizontally. And they are made from timber or double boards.

The purlin cannot stand on its own, so racks are installed under it. They are placed evenly at the same distance from each other. Sometimes the place of the outer supports is taken by pediments built from bricks or blocks.

Sill

Another important element of the roofing structure. Its purpose is to support the posts under the ridge girder. In fact, this is part of the Mauerlat, but not necessarily installed on the wall of the building. The bench can also act as a load-bearing beam.

Let us add that there may be several lying on the roof. Intermediate ones are installed under racks that support rafters longer than 4.5 m.

Other roof structure elements

Depending on the type of roof, other parts are used. For example, the hip variety. Firstly, it is a hipped roof, where two opposite slopes are trapezoids, the other two are triangles. Therefore, the rafter system here is divided into four equal structures in pairs. But the basis of the system is the ridge run. The main part of the rafters of the trapezoidal slopes rests on it.

All other rafter legs rest against diagonal rafters, also known as inclined ribs or ridges. It is these elements that create unusual shape roofs. So, shortened rafters are called narozhniki. Their lower ends rest against the Mauerlat, and their upper ends rest against the diagonal ribs. The triangular slopes are completely formed by narozhniks.

Another element of the hip roof is the truss. That's what they call it support post, which supports the diagonal rafter.

Complex roofing structures have different elements that are not found in more simple structures. For example, valley. This is the junction of two slopes, the connection of which is internal corner. Be sure to lay it along the valley rafter leg, and the top is covered with two boards on two different slopes as shown in the photo below.

Mansard roofs have an element called the top trim. This is nothing more than purlins on which the rafters rest: the upper ends are lower, the lower ends are upper. Part of the upper trim is formed by pediments. It is clear that support posts must be installed under the harness.

So, we have reviewed the main elements of the roof with names and their exact purpose. It should be noted that the decision to select each part must be approached with preliminary calculations. This mainly concerns loads. In principle, there is nothing complicated in the calculations. But this is a topic for another article.

Video description

The video explains in detail all the elements of a complex roof:

Conclusion on the topic

We understood the topic of what elements the roof and roofing consist of. The most important thing is to no longer confuse both concepts, and, accordingly, their structural elements. Although in everyday life, and even between builders, such a division is not observed. But if somewhere there is a conversation about roofing, then immediately understand that we'll talk about the top of the roof.