How to make a roof: instructions

This article will talk about how to properly make a roof, as well as discuss in detail the construction of its main elements.

The main purpose of the roof for a long time is to protect the building from wind and various precipitation. In addition to protection, this integral structural element of any industrial or residential building allows you to give it a complete look, providing comfort and coziness inside.

To figure out how to make a roof correctly, a number of factors should be taken into account:

• Building facade design;
• Roofing technology;
• Is the attic under the roof used?

The main types of roofs

Modern roofs are a rather complex system of overlapping beams and rafters, which determine not only what the shape of the roof will be, but also its main functions during operation.

The design and appearance of the roof depend not only on the geometry of the roof, but also on various additional features that differ according to the chosen design. For example, the structural elements of a hip roof directly affect its appearance.

Consider the main types of roof construction:

• The simplest and cheapest type of roof structure at the present stage is a pitched roof, which is sometimes called a sloping roof..
  The simplest example of this design is the widespread shed roofs, the main feature of this design is that the roof of a building or structure rests on two external walls of different heights.
  Such roofs are most often used for industrial or utility buildings (for example, the roof of a veranda), since they are quite simple to manufacture.

Useful: there are many options for a pitched roof, including non-standard ones, such as a roof made of plastic bottles.

• The most popular type of roof construction are gable or gable roofs, the distinguishing feature of which is the convergence of two slopes in one place..
• Quite widespread in the construction of country houses and cottages are also multi-gable roofs, which are used in the case of a rather complex architecture of the facade walls.
  This type of roof allows you to give the house a unique appearance and realize a variety of architectural and design ideas.
  A significant number of elements such as bends and fractures make the construction of such a roof quite difficult and require the participation of a fairly highly qualified specialist.
  This is due to the fact that joints and bends in large numbers lead to an increase in the load on the load-bearing elements of the roof structure.
  In addition, poor sealing of the roof leads to the accumulation of water, dirt and snow in the joints and bends, which causes the roof to sag and leak.
• The hipped roofs are shaped like Egyptian pyramids.. This rafter system can be used when the base of the house is a square or an equilateral polygon. The design of such roofs is arranged in such a way that the slopes in the form of isosceles triangles converge at one upper point. At the same time, it is very important to observe the symmetry of the roof, which gives a unique look to the entire building.
• Another type of roofs used since ancient times are hip roofs.. Their system rafters it is carried out so that two trapezoidal slopes and two triangular at the ends of the building are formed. It is the triangular slopes, located from the ridge to the roof eaves, that are called hips. The rafter system of such roofs is quite complex and requires carefully performed calculations.
• Quite a popular type of roofs are also hipped mansard roofs, while the two lower slopes are steeper than the upper ones..
  Such a system of rafters allows you to use the attic space most efficiently and is usually used if the attic space is planned as residential.

Useful: some designs involve the equipment of dormer windows on slopes.Such windows are not only decorative elements, but also improve the lighting of the attic room.

• In the case of a limited area for building a house, a flat or operated roof may be a good option., which allows not only to increase the usable internal area, but also it is useful to use the surface of the roof itself, equipping it, for example, with a winter garden, terrace or pool.

In addition to the types of roof structures listed above, domed, vaulted and conical roofs are also used in private construction. roofs. There are also very complex options - for example, a round roof.

The main elements of the roof structure

When planning the construction or repair of a roof, it should be understood that a permanent or temporary roof is a set of necessary materials and elements that each perform their own function. The absence or deficiency in the calculation of any, even the smallest, element will lead to a significant reduction in the life of the roof.

Therefore, in order to ensure maximum coziness and comfort in the house, the calculation and installation of roof structures should be approached as seriously as possible.

The most significant elements of the roof structure are:

• Rafter;
• Counter grille;
• crate;
• insulation material;
• Waterproofing;
• Ventilation system;
• Roof covering.

Important: in addition to the listed basic elements, it is important to take into account a number of others that may be smaller, but at the same time are no less important for the reliability of the entire structure (for example, roof sealant).

Rafter system

The rafter system is the supporting structure of the entire roof, and the quality of its installation largely determines the reliability and durability of the roof structure..

The rafter system must withstand not only the weight of the roof itself, but also external loads in the form of wind and precipitation, therefore, when calculating the structure, the type of roof and the characteristics of a particular area should be taken into account.

Important: when calculating and installing the roof, it is imperative to take into account a certain margin of safety.

The overall rigidity of the rafter system depends on the fastening of the rafters to each other, as well as on the reliability of the connection of the roof frame with the building frame.

Most often, wood is used for its manufacture, which is due to a number of its advantages that distinguish it from such materials for the manufacture of rafters as reinforced concrete or metal:

• Ease of processing and manufacturing;
• Ease of installation;
• The ability to adjust the rafters directly at the installation site, etc.

In modern construction, the rafters are interconnected using self-tapping screws, bolts, nails, clamps and staples. It should be borne in mind that the nail connection is rather fragile and unreliable, because the wood gradually shrinks, as a result of which the structure of the rafters can loosen.

The connection of the rafter frame with bolts is also not advisable today, since drilling holes for the bolts significantly reduces the strength and stability of the structure as a whole.

For these reasons, clamps and staples are the most popular connection method.In addition, modern technologies make it possible to manufacture a truss structure at special industrial facilities, while reliable connecting materials are used for fastening in the form of special strips for fasteners.

Roof insulation and waterproofing

Before covering the roof with the selected material, its reliable hydro and thermal insulation should be ensured.

The most suitable thermal insulation materials are:

• Basalt mineral wool;
• glass wool;
• Styrofoam.

Important: the thickness of the insulation layer required to prevent the roof from freezing in winter frosts is at least 15 cm.

Waterproofing will prevent the violation of the properties of the insulation under the action of moisture. Practice shows that even with a 5% moisture content in the thermal insulation material, its properties are at least halved. Moistening of the roof structure also causes rotting of the rafters, and rust forms on the metal elements, causing them to corrode.

Moisture penetration under the roof can be caused by a number of reasons:

• Melting snow cover;
• Oblique rain with wind;
• Condensation due to temperature fluctuations.

Important: moisture creates the most serious problems for roofs with a metal coating.

When choosing a waterproofing film, it is important to consider the following: the film must prevent the penetration of moisture from the outside, while ensuring its exit from the interior. A wide range of different materials is presented on the construction market today, so choosing the right film is quite simple.

roof ventilation system

The main task of the ventilation system of the space under the roof is to combat moisture.. Special devices located on the ridge, eaves, slopes and other places make it possible to use air flows to remove moisture from the under-roof space.

The ventilation system requires additional financial costs, which quickly pay off due to a significant increase in the life of the roof.

The under-roof space, in which the movement of air masses occurs, includes two important elements:

• A counter-lattice in the form of additional boards fixed on the rafters and repeating their pattern.
• Lathing, which is transverse boards fixed on a counter-lattice, which serve as the basis for laying the roofing material.

Important: both a board and moisture-resistant plywood or timber can serve as a building material for the manufacture of the crate.

In the case of rolled roofing materials, a continuous crate made of moisture-resistant plywood is used. For other types of roofing, trellis can be used.

Quite often on the roof you can see various objects that may seem unimportant and purely decorative, such as:

• Various windows;
• Chimney and ventilation pipes;
• Air intake on the roof;
• Antennas, etc.

In fact, all these elements, called additional elements, play a certain role both in terms of functionality and in terms of complementing and completing the overall appearance of the roof.

In addition to those listed above, additional elements include:

• All kinds of stairs;
• Guardrails;
• Drainage and snow retention systems;
• Heater systems located on slopes;
• Weathercocks, etc.

The value of such elements cannot be underestimated, because many of them are designed to perform quite serious tasks. So, as tiled and iron roofs with rather steep slopes, additional elements such as snow retainers are usually installed to prevent the snow cover from sliding in the form of an avalanche.

This helps not only to protect the facade and drainage systems, but also to ensure safety for the health and life of people living in the house.

There are many more different roofing decorations, the most popular of which is an artistic element in the form of a decorative ridge. The choice of ways to decorate the roof is wide enough, so everyone can find elements suitable for their roof, even if the roof itself is decorative - such as a copper roof.

That's all I wanted to talk about how to properly make a roof. Compliance with the rules and tips given in the article will make the roof reliable and provide both an attractive and aesthetic appearance of the house, and the comfort of living in it.

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