Pediment: what is it, arched, torn, triangular and other types, erection, video and photo

A neatly trimmed gable gives the house a finished look.

A pediment is a part of the facade of a building, which starts from the attic floor or cornice from below and is limited to the roof slopes from above. Having gained experience in the construction of private houses, I will accurately convey the technical aspects of its construction, as well as talk about the types of structures.

If there is a living space in the attic, then one or more windows are made in the gables for natural light

Content

Types of structures

Let's see what types of gables are:

Illustration	Design Description
	Triangular. The most common option, characterized by simplicity of construction. It is arranged in houses with a gable roof and most often has the shape of an isosceles triangle, although the slopes can also have a different slope angle. The height of the structure is determined by the angle of the roof slopes and the nature of the use of the attic. If it is residential, the pediment is made high so that a person can move comfortably.
	Asymmetric. A modern version that is used on buildings of complex shape, as well as on roofs in which the slopes do not converge in the ridge. If the usual types of construction are made in the same plane, then this type of gables can be made with an offset, which gives the structure an unusual appearance.
	Trapezoidal. It became widespread after attic floors began to be made in houses. The main difference is that each slope has a double bend, as in the photo. Thanks to this, rooms with high, even ceilings are obtained, the living space expands, and its decoration is simplified. In such structures, most often there are windows, and sometimes doors (if a balcony is made in the house).
	Semicircular. It is not very common, but if you decide to make an unusual oval-shaped roof, then this option will be used. This design is only suitable for flexible roofing, it is distinguished by the fact that for strength, load-bearing walls are brought out to the desired height in order to provide additional support for the truss system. Arched pediment - a kind of semicircular version, characterized in that the roof is a segment of a circle with a slight bend.
	Torn. In it, the upper parts of the slopes do not connect, but have a void. If earlier various decorative ornaments were placed in this gap, today an additional slope or other structure is arranged on the connection to remove moisture, which should not fall on the walls. This option looks impressive, but is very complicated in construction, so it is not widely used.
	stepped. This version of the construction of the gable involves the construction of a brick structure in the form of steps, which creates an unusual facade and hides the roof slopes that adjoin the wall from the inside. This style is inherent in Europe and is associated with small old towns.

These are far from all options, but it makes no sense to consider pediments of a different form due to their complexity or small distribution.

That, in fact, is all about the pediments - what it is is easy to figure out. Now consider the types of structures and the features of their decoration.

How structures are built and designed

The pediment can be built from different materials, both the appearance of the structure and the complexity of its construction depend on this. Decide in advance which option will be implemented in your home in order to purchase everything you need and deal with the workflow.

What are pediments made of?

Most often, the following materials are used in the construction:

Rounded timber or log. Used in the construction of houses from these materials. The design is a continuation of the wall, a single plane is obtained. Such a pediment is called male and has been traditional for more than one century.When assembling, there is only one difficulty - the correct cutting of corners so that the structure turns out to be even and the elements do not protrude beyond the plane of the slopes;

This is a traditional view built in log houses and timber buildings.

Brick. Used in the construction of brick walls. The plane can be either solid or separated from the wall by a border or ledge. During the laying process, it is important to correctly determine the angle of the structure and carefully beat off the extreme brick along pre-marked lines. Masonry is most often done in one brick;

Blocks of gas silicate and foam concrete. This option is used if the house box is constructed from the same materials. A very good option in terms of construction speed. The blocks are large and cut well, which greatly simplifies the workflow;

Block pediment - a simple and inexpensive solution

Wood. A wooden gable is the most affordable solution of all. The price of materials is low, they are available almost everywhere. If you need to have masonry skills when building structures made of bricks or blocks, then almost anyone can assemble a plank version. The wood is easy to process, easy to fix, which is very important for an inexperienced craftsman.

The tree is great for building gables in private houses with your own hands.

If you are making a structure out of wood, then keep in mind that it needs to be replaced every 15-20 years. The remaining options usually last as long as the house, and need only cosmetic repairs.

The pediment can be built in two ways:

Before installation of the truss system. In this case, it is convenient to work, but you need to clearly define the line of future slopes and pull the cord to create a clear guide. During construction, one should take into account the wind loads that affect it, I have seen more than once cases when it collapsed due to low reliability and the lack of additional support in the form of rafters;

Most often, a structure is constructed from boards in the shape of the letter “A”, so that a pediment can be drawn along it.

For temporary reinforcement, you can build spacers. To strengthen the structure on a permanent basis, you can build a partition in the attic or install braces. They create certain interference in the operation of the attic, but increase the reliability of the structure.

After installing the rafters. This option is easier for the reason that you already have clear guidelines, and you definitely will not make a mistake when building a structure, besides, you do not need to strengthen the structure, it can be connected to the system and achieve high reliability. But there is also a drawback: the rafters interfere with work and the working space is limited. This method is recommended for the construction of roofs of complex shape.

It is better to sheathe the pediment of a complex shape after installing the truss system

Finishing and insulation options

Building a structure is only half the battle. It is necessary to finish it so that it looks attractive and is protected from adverse weather effects. Consider the most popular options for work:

Carved options used to be often used in the architecture of the gables of wooden houses, they look attractive, but are difficult to implement.

Illustration	Description
	Plastering. This option is used when finishing surfaces made of bricks and blocks. Most often, the walls are finished in a similar way.In order to highlight the pediment, stucco molding can be attached along the line of the ceiling, or the structure can simply be painted in a different color. If a facing brick was used, then the surface does not need to be finished at all.
	Boarding. The easiest and cheapest option. The surface is simply sheathed with a polished edged board. It is advisable to use a grooved version so that there are no gaps between the elements. It is best to fasten the structure with self-tapping screws, they are much more reliable than traditional nails.
	Finishing with a blockhouse or imitation of timber. This option is much more expensive than a regular board, but it also looks more attractive. Otherwise, the designs are similar, the instructions for sheathing with these materials are no different from working with a regular board.
	Siding. A very popular solution due to the low cost, ease of work and reliability of the final result. A frame is constructed on the surface, on which the panels are attached. The pediment must be closed with a vapor barrier membrane so that condensate does not penetrate the material.
	Clinker tiles. An excellent solution for styling a surface like a brick or natural stone. This option is used if the walls are lined with the same material so that the pediment looks organic and fits well into the design of the facade.

If you equip an attic space for a living area, then the gable needs to be insulated. It is very important to make high-quality thermal insulation of the structure so that it is always warm in the attic.

Let's analyze the main options for insulation:

Illustration	Variant Description
	Internal insulation with mineral wool. Great for wooden structures.It is very important to create the right heat-insulating cake: the surface is covered with waterproofing, then mineral wool with a thickness of at least 150 mm is laid, then a vapor barrier membrane is attached. On top of the heat-insulating layer, the interior trim is attached.
	External insulation with mineral wool. This option is similar to the previous one with the only difference that the heat-insulating layer is laid on the outside. A crate is placed on the pediment, after which all materials are laid, as in the case described above. It is very important to glue the joints of the waterproofing film well so that moisture does not get into the insulation.
	Insulation with foam or extruded polystyrene foam. This option is great if you have a brick or block gable. This type of work is always carried out from the outside, the elements are fastened with special dowels. The surface is reinforced with reinforcing mesh and plastered. Instead of foam in this technology, mineral wool boards of high hardness can be used.
	Penoizol insulation. A new version of the work, in which the surface is insulated with a special composition, which is sprayed onto the surface and creates a continuous heat-insulating layer without cracks and joints. The only disadvantage of this technology is that you cannot do it on your own without special equipment. Therefore, most often they hire specialists. After the composition has dried, the pediment can be sheathed with any material.
	Ecowool insulation. This is an environmentally friendly option for carrying out work, involving the construction of a crate and filling the cavities with a special composition based on cellulose. For work you need special equipment, it can be rented. With all its advantages, ecowool has one drawback - over time, it loses its properties and settles, creating voids. Therefore, it is necessary to change the heat-insulating layer every 10-15 years.

A well-finished and properly insulated pediment will reliably protect the under-roof space from cold and precipitation and give the house a finished look. In no case do not save on this part of the structure and insulate it as best as possible. Otherwise, then you will have to overpay for heating every month.

Gables must be combined with facade decoration

Conclusion

Now you know what a pediment is, what materials it is built from, how it is insulated and finished. The video in this article will help you understand the topic even better. If you do not understand something - ask in the comments at the bottom of the page.

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