If you are used to thinking that a reed roof is a structure of indefinite shape and color that can decorate only outbuildings, then you are ill-informed about the latest trends in architectural fashion. Today we will tell you how popular this direction has become and reveal the unique properties of the roof from this natural material.
foreign technologies
Most of all, the technology of weaving is of concern in the topic of a reed roof.The German, Dutch, Polish and English schools of reed weaving are widely used.
Technologies of each school to create natural gable roofs has its own subtleties and secrets.
They are more in demand in the center of Europe and its northern part, in particular in Denmark and Holland. Each technology has an important point, which is that one-year-old stems are used for weaving.
Since during this time, along with the tree, they do not have time to be saturated with harmful substances coming from the atmosphere.
Also, reed roofs have become more common among Hungarians and Poles, while the foreign consumer uses our natural resources. By the way, abroad they know how to appreciate natural material.
Advice. So our masters need to learn the art of weaving reeds from their foreign counterparts.
Unique properties
Before you make a reed roof, you probably would like to know about the properties of such a roof, its advantages:
- The reed roof is not afraid of rain, heat, wind and frost.
- If, when arranging a roof from organic materials, exposure to moisture leads to the formation of a fungus, then this does not happen with a reed roof, since moisture for this material is a natural habitat.
- Like living organisms, reed cover contributes to the formation of ventilation.
- When arranging a roof gable mansard roof there is no need for laying waterproofing and heat-insulating materials;
- The tubular structure of the stem is ideal to save the house from noise;
- The operational life of such a roof is more than 60 years, while there is no need for its insulation, cleaning and tinting.
And, of course, the reeds on the roof are an original and exquisite coating. In the first years of operation, the reed coating has a golden color, after a few years it acquires a rich color, naturally complementing the facade of the house and the landscape of the adjacent area.
Unusual performance
The reed roof is created by painstaking work. Masters of their craft contribute to this process, in addition to technical knowledge, the unusual performance.
Such a covering by the hands of masters turns into a work of art, especially if it is decorated with the initials of the owner of the house, a family coat of arms or an unusual ornament.
Such a roof, in addition to its function, becomes the pride of the owner of the house.
Advice. Do not believe the opinion that the reed roof is a comfort for rodents. This is just a delusion. The place under the old tiles is their refuge, and the reeds impregnated with anti-feathers do not attract them.
Ways to deal with the shortcomings of the roof
For the sake of justice, along with the advantages, we will describe the disadvantages of a reed roof and how to deal with them:
- The number one enemy of such a roof is fire. But various technologies for preparing reeds for a roof provide for impregnation with refractory compounds. Moreover, the roof is impregnated both inside and outside. The fire-resistant covering is not washed away by snow and a rain.
- Enemy number two is birds. Reed stalks are excellent nesting material for birds. To combat this phenomenon, it is necessary to tightly settle the stems so that there are no protruding ends.
It is probably worth noting that a roof with such a mansard-type coating will be able to serve qualitatively and for a long time when high-quality material will really be used for its arrangement, and all technical conditions will be observed when laying reeds and creating a preparatory base for the roof.
Reed roof price
Of course, if we compare the European price for a roof of this type and ours, we can conclude that our price is more loyal.
In European countries, reeds are in demand, so the cost of 1 sq. m is approaching 100 euros, and even exceeds this figure. Our customers pay half as much for the same volume.
In addition, the total cost of roofing work is affected by:
- roof size;
- architecture;
- bringing unusualness to the design.
The very flexibility of the stems of the material causes limitless possibilities in the design of the roof, so the reed covering is distinguished by its unique style.
architectural properties
Despite the fact that there are no special structural remarks regarding the reed covering, we would like the consumer to familiarize himself with its architectural properties before covering the roof with reed:
- it is recommended to create a roof with a slope of more than 35 degrees;
- the type of coating and its depth is selected according to the nature of the windows and cornice;
- specific load indicator per 1 sq.m - up to 50 kg;
- the allowable value of the structural break should not exceed 20 degrees;
- the thickness of the coating deprives the roof of gutters, so practical advice is needed regarding drainage equipment.
Coating laying
Laying reed cover does not require the use of special equipment and tools. The main thing in this business is the knowledge, experience and skill of the roofer.
Provided that the roof structure is properly prepared, reeds are a more effective material for roofing.
Most of all, reeds determine their architectural properties on roofs that have a simple structure. With complex roof configurations, laying reeds becomes more difficult. However, due to the fact that reeds are flexible materials, their laying is suitable for creating complex roofs.
Covering with reeds is carried out on the truss system and the crate, taking into account the load of 35 kg per 1 sq.m.
Attention. It is recommended to lay on a crate made of 50x50 or 40x60 timber, in increments of 30 cm.
When laying, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a chimney, windows, ventilation pipe and other elements in the roof structure. All these points must be considered at the design stage of the roof.
Installation rules
A do-it-yourself reed roof, of course, is a very responsible job, because the entire seriousness of the task and responsibility for the result fall on the shoulders of the performer.
Therefore, during installation, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Reeds must be divided into 3 groups: coarse, long and short stems. Medium and long stems are used to cover the main part of the roof. Short stems are used along the fronts, at the corners and at the ridges. Rough (curved) stems must be used as a substrate, as the inner layer of the roof.
- The selection of reed bundles is made in relation to size and length. For the first layer, stems with a small diameter are used. Approximately 8 beams are laid for each meter of the base.
- For gazebos, an open building structure can be used as a base for reed cover. For residential buildings, it is preferable to use a structure with a closed base.
Mounting process
Metal screws must be screwed into the base before laying the stems. With their help, a curved, stainless wire is fixed in the middle.
Installation is carried out from below, by overlapping. On the crate (base) the stems are laid out, tied into bundles.
The wire fixed with screws is pulled through the bundles. The result is a coating that is attached to the roof structure with steel wire and rods. These elements are hidden by the next layer.
The first layer is laid with scaffolding and stairs. The platform protrudes 50 cm from the eaves. After that, the installers can move along the beams.
When increasing the thickness, it is necessary to observe the density of the layer. The alignment of the bevel lines occurs with the help of a spatula.
From above, it is necessary to leave a small edge, for ease of alignment of subsequent rows and layers. It will be beaten with a spatula during subsequent laying, while the connection will not be noticeable.
During installation, the edge of each row is temporarily held by hooks that must be stuck into the previous layer. The hooks move along the roof as the layer advances.
In order to avoid the formation of visible furrows and lines along which water can subsequently drain, it is necessary to increase the indent as the laying moves towards the ridge.
The task of the ridge beam:
- cover the roof from the passage of precipitation;
- create a steep slope for the last layer.
To do this, it must be wetted and left on the ridge to dry in order to acquire the shape of a ridge as a bundle. After laying the stems on the ridge, it can be covered with copper or ceramics. The excess part of the stems is cut off. The entire coating undergoes bio- and flame retardant treatment.
Of course, that experts in this field give guarantees for the installation and operation of reed cover.
However, if a reed roof was built with your own hands, with strict observance of the installation rules and awareness of the responsibility of the whole thing, you are guaranteed to enjoy the excellent interior atmosphere of the house and its beautiful appearance.
Reed cover can revive not only an individual site, but the entire area. Bring some wonder into your life!
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