How to properly build a house roof with your own hands. How to build a house roof correctly: main steps


Roof construction is a job that falls into the category of complex construction processes. It is impossible to carry it out on your own without having a preparatory base. However, many people strive to master this business. And especially those who have personal suburban areas with houses installed on them.

The idea of ​​repairing, making a new roof, completely dismantling the previous one and using your own resources, often occurs to the owners of country houses.

But, if dismantling, relatively speaking, does not pose a particular problem, then subsequent work, from erecting the frame to laying the top waterproofing layer, can raise many questions.

Difficulties arise at the stage of choosing the shape of the structure configuration. If an existing coating or device needs to be repaired small area roofs of the adjacent part of the house, the upcoming work does not cause much concern that something will go wrong.


Otherwise, when it comes to full complex work covering the entire upper area of ​​the structure, the question of how to properly make the roof of a house with your own hands immediately reveals a number of problems, most of which are associated with a lack of experience in such a matter.

Fears quickly fade into the background when the figures for the costs of professional craftsmen, their services and the materials provided, which specialized companies sometimes provide strictly independently, ignore the initiatives of customers to do this personally, appear before your eyes. In this case, the desire to gain relevant experience overpowers thoughts of the need to invite a professional team.

Even more interest is awakened when viewing photos of house roofs. You can do any work with your own hands, and color visual aids, as well as detailed videos the lessons confirm this. The main thing is to know where to start.

Main types of roofs

Construction begins by determining the type of roof. Upper structures country house have several different forms. The simplest form– a shed roof is rarely chosen, only when building extensions.


To form beautiful view preference is given to the following forms:

Gable. Its advantage is its light weight, resulting in a large attic space that can be converted into an attic. This design is simple, harmonious and most attractive to many.

Four-slope. This design is less popular because its construction contains many difficulties. Without serious skills, it is difficult to build such a roof. If there is an idea to build just such a structure, you should have at your disposal detailed instructions: how to make a roof.

The advantages of this roofing type are aesthetics, the ability to create a wide attic, and four-sided heating. The disadvantages include increased weight and complexity of work.

Combined. This roof looks very original. Just like the previous type, it has its own difficulties during construction.

But for those who want to get a beautiful multi-level roof, all difficulties can be overcome. The result is a roof that looks harmonious against the background of any protruding area of ​​the house.


Solving the design issue

You can choose a design option without resorting to the help of specialists. But the project can only be done by a professional designer. Making roof drawings with your own hands is a foolish idea.

In this case, you should not regret the expense and it is best to make an individual order to a design company. There, based on clarification of all the necessary requests, including: configuration, volume, individual parameters, components and additional details, detailed drawings of the roof will be drawn up.

Main works

The stages of building a house roof involve its construction using a certain technology. By dividing the construction into the main components of the structure, we get the following:

  • fastening the foundation part - the Mauerlat. It bears the pressure of the main loads. The material used is wooden beams section 15x15 cm.
  • frame device. This means attaching the rafters to the Mauerlat. Optimal size beams are taken with a section of 7x15 cm.
  • carrying out work to strengthen the roof. To reduce the impact of the spacer load on the Mauerlat and gain high strength of the roof, the rafter legs are fastened with additional beams.
  • installation of wooden sheathing. It is necessary to create a continuous roof covering.

The main materials for construction will be wooden boards and timber. Fastening is carried out with nails.


When wooden frame will be completely ready, further work will begin. Their list includes installation of insulation, vapor barrier, installation of waterproofing layers and laying of the top covering. In this capacity, tiles or profile sheets are often used.

In addition to the above work, you must remember to carry out ventilation, install the cornice, internal valleys, pipes, and drainage trays. In addition, drip edges and a lining layer along the edges of the roof must be installed to protect against moisture penetration.

Photo of the roof of the house with your own hands

How to make a house roof with your own hands? It is to answer this question that this article was written. Everyone has known everything about insulating materials and roofing for a long time, for this reason, in this article we will focus on how to properly construct a frame for a roof.

Mauerlat for a gable roof

The Mauerlat is the base that takes on the bulk of the structural loads. To put it in plain language, the Mauerlat is the foundation on top of which the roof will be built. To arrange the base, beams with a cross section of 150 by 150 mm are used. They are installed in a parallel plane with the roof ridge.

The fastening of the Mauerlat beams must be extremely reliable; this is done so that the roof is not afraid of wind and weather disasters. Ideally, these actions are carried out even when the walls are being built. To do this, you need to lay the top four rows of bricks with thick wire. This wire is called wire rod, and its location should be with a meter gap.

The middle of the wire should be in the brick wall, and its ends, which hang freely, should have such a length that it is enough for subsequent tying of the beam. If the house design does not include plaster, then the installation of the outer edge of the wire should be carried out inside the mortar, so it will not be noticeable.

An important point is that the Mauerlat must deviate from the edge of the wall by at least 100 mm. To protect the beams from rotting, only a few layers are placed underneath them.

Strengthening the roof frame

When constructing a roof, a prerequisite is the construction of a reliable frame.
A frame is a rafter system attached to a mauerlat. It is necessary to take into account that if the length of the beams is more than 4.5 m, then additional purlins will have to be installed.

The optimal cross-section of beams used to build a roof frame in a brick house is 70 by 150 mm.

The rafters are fastened to the mauerlat using a special cutout, which is fixed using twenty-centimeter nails. Driving nails should be done according to the following principle:

  • The first nail is nailed through the rafter to the mauerlat in a diagonal plane;
  • The second nail is driven in exactly the same way, only on the reverse side;
  • The third nail is driven in at a 90° angle from above.

This method of fastening the rafter system does not allow it to move from side to side.
The upper ends of the rafters are fastened with an overlap, one on the other. One beam, at its end, must overlap a parallel beam. In the upper part they are also fastened with nails, although bolts can also be used for this.


At this point, the work on arranging the frame can be considered completed, all that remains is to lay the roofing pie.

How to make a house roof with your own hands video tutorial

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When choosing a simple structure for the roof of a residential, utility or any other building, as well as an extension to the main building, the most advantageous is a lean-to roof. It is built quite simply, is undemanding in terms of the type of foundation due to its low load, and can easily fit into the budget of any budget project. A do-it-yourself pitched roof is being built step by step in as soon as possible even by one person without the involvement of additional equipment or people. The design has increased functionality and reliability.

The most common areas of application for pitched roofs are bathhouses and outbuildings.

In order to understand whether it is worth making a choice in favor of a pitched roof, it is worth assessing what advantages will be obtained and minimizing the impact of the disadvantages. The advantages include the following criteria:

  • Economical in terms of financial costs not only for building materials, but also for strengthening walls to increase their resistance to compressive and tensile stresses.
  • The simplicity of the design will allow even non-specialists to build roofs of this type and at the same time obtain optimal service life, as well as the absence of any maintenance requirements.
  • Possibility with panoramic views.
  • Reduced roof windage in the presence of predominantly directional winds and choice correct location slope slope.
  • High maintainability due to the simplicity of the design of the rafter system and sheathing.
  • It is allowed to use any roofing materials when choosing the correct tilt angles.


A do-it-yourself pitched roof, built step by step, also has a number of disadvantages: it cannot withstand significant loads during heavy snowfalls, does not have a very aesthetic appearance, and also does not hold the roofing material during strong gusts of wind from the side opposite to the angle of inclination of the slope. In fact, for competent designers these disadvantages are not so significant and, if necessary, they can easily be turned into advantages. So, for example, to prevent the roof from falling off, it is enough to plant trees on the site or build a higher building nearby. To improve the aesthetics of the perception of a pitched roof, it is enough to use a trick and implement a project with multi-level slopes of the slopes on two opposite sides of the house.

Helpful information! The pitched roof does not allow the installation attic space. This fact must be taken into account when planning the roof.

Preparatory work

A do-it-yourself pitched roof is built step by step only after preparatory work. The service life of the structure depends entirely on their thoughtfulness. First of all, this concerns the correct planning of the roof and the selection of materials.

How to make a pitched roof?

For a pitched roof, the angle of inclination is the main criterion for its reliability. On the one hand, the larger the angle, the more effectively precipitation is removed, and on the other hand, it is the main element that must withstand gusts of wind. During severe winters with significant amounts of precipitation, a thick layer of ice and snow forms on the roof, which can create loads that exceed permissible loads, as a result of which the roof can become deformed and break. That is, the angle of inclination of the slope according to this criterion should be based on the climate.

Attention! The angle of inclination of the roof should be directed towards the highest wind flows in order to reduce the resistance of the structure to them.

Another factor that affects the slope of a roof is the roofing material, which may have different roughness or strength. Qualitatively, its applicability for roofing can be divided according to the angles of inclination:

  • When the slope is tilted up to 10 0, it is allowed to use only roll materials, which have a flat and relatively smooth surface. These include roofing felt, bitumen shingles etc.
  • When tilting from 10 0 to 20 0, it is possible to use corrugated materials such as slate, metallic profile or ondulin.
  • When the slope is inclined 28 0 - 35 0, smooth metal roofing sheets are used, joined in a seam manner.
  • Tilt angles of 25 0 -35 0 are suitable for laying metal or ceramic tiles.


Important information! Larger inclination angles than 35 0 are not recommended due to increased resistance to air flows and deterioration of streamlining, which can lead to failure. roofing material.

Construction and design of a pitched roof

The construction of pitched roofs is quite simple and includes the following components:

  • Rafter system. Designed to absorb the main load of the roof and distribute it evenly along the entire area of ​​the walls of the facility. Usually it is made of wooden beams with a cross-section of 50x100 mm, depending on the roof area and the number of supporting elements.
  • Insulating layers. They are laid between the rafters and fixed to the sheathing and sheathing with inside building. Their role is to ensure maximum protection of the object and supporting structural elements from moisture or freezing.
  • Lathing. Designed to secure roofing material and provide sufficient load-bearing capacity to support its own weight and various expected loads. The material for its manufacture can be MDF panels, edged and unedged boards. The choice is made according to the type of roofing material.
  • Roofing material. Allows you to provide excellent aesthetic properties of the roof, as well as protect it from precipitation.


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Types of roof supports

The roof support is selected based on the weight of the structure and the characteristics of the roofing material. There are following types supports:

  • Layered. Represent additional structural elements, which are installed evenly along the length of the slope in the inner part of the roof.

  • Hanging. The simplest fastening scheme, based on only two supports located above the walls of the building.

  • Sliding. Fastening to the walls is carried out on a special structure supported by a Mauerlat (harness).

Is it necessary to ensure ventilation of the under-roof space?

In some structures, the requirements of the roofing material and the object itself, due to the peculiarities of its operating conditions, create the need to ensure ventilation of the roof. A striking example is the bathhouse, where the temperature difference between the internal premises and the external environment is more than 100°C. The main goal is to get rid of the formation of condensation and damage to the main elements. For a roof, it is necessary to provide a gap on the gables between the covering, the roof and the rafter system.

Create a drawing

Before creating a drawing, it is necessary to take measurements of the wall trim, if this has not been done previously. After this, taking into account the specific features of the object, as well as the selected design parameters, the optimal parameters of the slope angle should be calculated.

The optimal distance between the rafters should be 1-1.5 m. The sheathing pitch is selected based on the requirements for laying the roofing material. Taking into account all the data, a drawing is created, and then the quantity of building materials that will need to be purchased is calculated. Additionally, it is recommended to make a reserve of materials in the amount of 10-15% of the total quantity.

List of required tools

Carrying out construction work will require the use of a number of tools that must be prepared in advance so as not to interrupt the installation. Therefore, before making the main structural elements and building pitched roof You need to prepare the following tools:

  • screwdriver for comfortable connection of structural elements;
  • pencil or marker for marking;
  • building level for adjusting the position of roof parts;
  • stapler for attaching waterproofing;
  • hammer for hammering nails;
  • saw for sawing rafters and sheathing to the required dimensions;
  • tape measure for taking measurements;
  • plumb line to control vertical position.

Do-it-yourself pitched roof step by step - description of the stages of work

After carrying out a number of preparatory work, you need to begin installation. The installation stages are as follows: installing rafters, laying sheathing, laying insulating materials and the main roof. Each stage must be thought out in advance: everything necessary tools and some of the materials are raised onto the roof for easy access to them. With this approach, there will be no downtime or delays, which will guarantee the completion of work on time.

Installation of the rafter system

The construction of a pitched roof truss system is relatively simple and does not require experience in carrying out this type of work or special knowledge. However, it is important to follow the sequence of installation steps.

In accordance with the drawing, on the ground we saw wooden beams 150x150 mm along required sizes before lifting them onto the roof. Then be sure to treat them with antiseptics and apply protective layer. If this is not done, then insects or other pests may appear in the wood, which will damage the strength of the structure and will have to be replaced.

Important! All wooden beams and boards must be dried in a natural way and have a humidity level of no more than 10%. Otherwise, there is a high probability of deformation of the supporting structure with all the ensuing consequences.

On the side opposite to the angle of inclination of the slope, we install support posts, which are otherwise called pediment posts. At the same stage, additional supports should be installed, if provided for by the design. In most cases they are ordinary spacers. The interval between them for the installation of tiles is more than 3 m, and for profile sheets - more than 6 m.

Attention! At step-by-step installation If you have a pitched roof with your own hands, you definitely need to check the verticality of the racks, since even minimum angle their inclination can reduce the strength of the structure to a level below the minimum design, which will lead to unpredictable consequences.

We install the prepared beams on a wooden frame or Mauerlat with fastening “into the claw”, “into the bowl” or onto steel pins. For the first two options, you will need to make appropriate cuts to the Mauerlat and rafters at the points of their contact. To do this, mark the point of contact with a marker, and then saw off the corner with a saw to a depth of no more than 30% of the height of the rafter. Additionally, it is necessary to install special steel brackets to increase the strength of the rafters or anchors.

The installation interval of the rafters is determined by the weight of the roofing material. You should focus on the following values:

  • for lightweight rolled roofing materials, the optimal distance between the rafters is 1.5-3 m;
  • For sheet materials and tiles, the interval should be 0.7-1 m.
Helpful information! All rafters must be laid in the same plane without distortions to ensure reliable contact of the sheathing with them.

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Laying insulating layers

Laying insulation when installing a pitched roof with your own hands is mandatory step by step for those buildings that are planned to be used in winter, in order to increase their energy efficiency. To secure the thermal insulation on the side of the premises, you will have to cover the rafters with MDF boards or boards with a thickness of 10 mm or more butt-to-ceiling. In some cases, it is possible to lay plasterboard sheets with a vapor barrier film to protect it from condensation.

The vapor barrier layer is laid overlapping at a distance of 15-20 cm with the obligatory gluing of the joining seams with special tape. Where the outer rafters adjoin, they are laid on a vertical surface to ensure maximum protection from moisture.

At the next stage, the thermal insulation material is laid. When installing a pitched roof with your own hands step by step, it is recommended to use mineral wool materials, expanded polystyrene or foam plastic as insulation. An important point when laying them is to ensure tight contact with the rafters without the slightest gaps. A gap measuring 1 mm and 10 cm long can provide heat loss of several kilowatts, depending on the external temperature.

Helpful information! Shed roof can be insulated with any heat-insulating material. The choice should be made on the basis of its effectiveness, cost and ease of installation.

A waterproofing film must be laid on top of the insulation. The method of installing it is similar to installing a vapor barrier. However, there is a significant nuance - the joining seams must necessarily fall on the rafters, and fastening is carried out on steel brackets using a construction stapler in increments of 10-15 cm.

1 - rafter; 2 — counter rail; 3 — waterproofing film; 4 - vertical sheathing; 5 - horizontal lathing; 7 - vapor barrier film; 8 - waterproofing seam.

Installation of sheathing and roofing material

At step by step execution When installing a pitched roof with your own hands, under soft and rolled roofing materials, the sheathing should be installed in the form of a continuous layer. In all other cases, planks are laid under the sheathing at intervals of 50-80 cm. The thickness of the boards should be more than 20 mm, and the width should be from 10 cm. Fastening is carried out with nails or self-tapping screws to the rafter system. Then wind boards are installed, which will serve as a guide when laying the roofing material in terms of its alignment. However, this does not mean that it is not necessary to control the laying of the row using a level. For convenience, two bars are stuffed from the two end parts of the slope at a distance of about 0.5 m from the wall and a thread is pulled over them. This will be the zero level at which you need to align the row.

The roofing material is laid according to the appropriate technology. Installation begins from one of the corners of the slope and the entire roof is laid in order. The method of fastening is determined by the selected material.

Helpful information! For rigid sheet materials, it is recommended to place fasteners at a distance of 10-15 cm from the corner to prevent damage or deformation.

On final stage The end parts of the roof are sheathed in places where the slope is inclined.

Conclusion

Before you build a pitched roof with your own hands, you need to think through all the work step by step and clearly plan the costs. The main nuances of installation were described in detail, and recommendations were given to avoid many standard mistakes.

What makes four faceless, cold walls a cozy home for a person? This difficult question was answered long ago by our ancestors, who spoke of their home as “a roof over their head.” When people built houses with my own hands, they knew not from experience that neither a hut, nor a barn, nor even a cattle shed could be built without this structure. The roof of the house protects from wind, cold and rain, harsh nature, which inhospitably tests a person’s strength. Even now, when construction is carried out by professional craftsmen, the creation reliable roof counts a daunting task, the implementation of which affects the comfort and ease of use of housing.

Roof functions

The roof is an integral element of the structure of the house; this term refers to the upper part of the structure, installed on the walls of the upper floor, to protect it from precipitation, wind and cold. Roofs perform the following functions:

  1. Waterproofing. The main task of every roof is to protect interior spaces houses from the penetration of rain, snow and melt water. Therefore, materials that do not allow liquid to pass through are used for the arrangement. To guarantee reliable waterproofing, they create a “roofing pie”, a complex of moisture-proof layers that complement and enhance each other’s qualities.
  2. Thermal insulation. The roof acts as a barrier between the interior of the house and the cold air outside. The structure is built in such a way as to retain heat inside. To maintain livable temperature regime houses use fiber insulation materials during the roof construction process. IN summer time, during periods of solar activity, all types of roofs create shade, protecting from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
  3. Aesthetic. The roof is an integral element of home design. Architects use different types of roofs to create a unique appearance for a building, giving it a recognizable style and charm. The wrong choice of roof turns a representative cottage into a squat shack, so more often than not this decision is made together with an experienced builder or designer.

Important! Appearance and the shapes of the roofs are closely intertwined with the national architectural tradition. This can easily be explained by the fact that the structures were given a geometry suitable for the climatic conditions of the region where they lived.

Eg, distinguishing feature residential buildings in central Russia have a steep triangular roof, from the slopes of which snow layers easily slide off. For Scandinavia with little snowy winters, chateaus with flat roofs framed by a wide overhang are common. In Pomeranian cities, blown through by winds, pitched and hipped roofs are common, the design of which has less of a sailing effect.

Roof types

Types of house roofs were born in different historical eras and different countries. The appearance and design were modified and improved, moving along the path of constant complication. IN open world With the high speed of spread of information and technology, roofing is no longer a clearly zoned standard, but is built according to taste preferences and practical tasks. Therefore, in private construction all types of roofs are used:


Important! Two gable roofs with different slopes and slope areas, roofing material, overhang width, different placement dormer windows, “cuckoos”, bay windows have a distinctive, incomparable appearance. Working with an experienced architect and using the capabilities of modern roofing materials, developers are erecting amazing structures with semicircular, multi-level, fantasy roofs. Yes, it is expensive and difficult, but there will always be people willing to pay for style and originality.

Creating a Project

During the construction of the roof there is no unimportant work; all stages of construction affect the strength and durability of the future structure. However, designing and creating a project is crucial moment, requiring certain experience and knowledge. Typically this process is performed in the following order:


Important! All stages of ventilation must be performed by a competent architect, whose services are not cheap. If we are talking about a simple single or double slope attic roof, for calculations they use special calculator programs that take over the calculations, simplifying the task of builders. You can also use ready-made standard projects that thousands of homeowners have tried before and were satisfied with.

The process of building a roof with your own hands

The beginning of the construction of a roof is a joyful moment for every homeowner, as it means that the construction of their own home is approaching its logical conclusion, with housewarming. Indeed, most often after finishing roofing works, all that remains is to connect the communications and finish interior decoration. But, without getting ahead of ourselves, let’s describe the process of arranging the roof from the beginning:


Construction of a roof is a responsible, difficult and long process, on which the microclimate and comfort of living in the house depend. Naturally, more than 90% entrust this task to experienced, proven craftsmen. But you should not avoid participating in the creation of the roof of the house, letting the process take its course. You need to actively participate in the discussion possible options and decision making. To ensure that your vote is thoughtful and you don’t have to regret it, our website will provide you with useful and relevant information that will facilitate communication with builders.

To install a gable roof yourself, you only need average carpentry skills and an understanding of its manufacturing technology. It's not hard to figure all this out. It is also necessary to involve an intelligent assistant in the process, because many operations cannot be performed by one person. Therefore, many undoubtedly take on this work and cope with it successfully.

Do-it-yourself gable roof installation

Construction country house is associated with considerable costs. Therefore, many people are looking for options to reduce the cost of this process by using modern materials and technology. Currently, frame buildings with gable roofs. This happens largely for the reason that even a person with minimal knowledge of construction can carry out such a design with appropriate preliminary preparation.

A gable roof is formed by triangular trusses connected to each other by a longitudinal upper beam (ridge girder) and sheathing

However, constructing a roof is a crucial moment that requires serious consideration. You need to calculate:

  • correct angle of inclination;
  • rafter length;
  • the distance between them;
  • methods of connecting various parts to each other.

Without experience in performing such work, you should not take on complex structures, but you can easily build a small house with a simple gable roof with your own hands.

Design features of gable roofs

Such a roof consists of two inclined planes located at a certain angle. Along the end walls there are pediments, which are a vertical continuation of the walls. In shape they are isosceles or arbitrary triangles if the slopes are arranged at different angles to the horizontal. In the case of a gable sloping roof, the pediments have the shape of trapezoids.

When building a roof, a rafter system is created, which is the supporting element of the roofing pie. The rafter system can be made in the form of hanging rafters if there are no permanent partitions inside the building box. If they are available, a deck frame is installed when the span is supported by three or more points.

Depending on the configuration of the building, a gable roof can be erected according to different schemes

How to make a gable roof yourself

Depending on the design of the rafter system, its main elements may be different, but the main details are present in all options:

  1. The rafters are the main load-bearing element of the structure onto which the roofing material is mounted through the sheathing.
  2. The ridge girder, also called the center beam, combines all the rafter legs into a single whole and evenly distributes the load on the mauerlat.
  3. Rack - used in deck structures as additional support for a permanent internal partition.
  4. The bench is a horizontal beam on which the racks rest, serving to evenly distribute the loads on the power plate.
  5. Mauerlat is a support beam between the walls and the upper structure of the building, intended for attaching rafters.
  6. Sheathing is a plank flooring 25 millimeters thick for attaching the finishing roof covering.

Regardless of the type of rafter system, it always contains several basic elements

Roof design

In the process of designing a rafter system, it is necessary to optimally place all frame elements to ensure uniform roof load over its entire area. The main types of load are:

  1. Snow - occurs under the influence of a layer of snow that lingers on the roof. At high rates for the construction region, the angle of inclination of the roof is increased so that the snow melts off it as it accumulates.
  2. Wind - associated with the force of the wind. In open, windy places it is higher. A means of counteracting wind loads is to reduce the angle of the roof.

Thus, it is necessary to find best option combinations of these indicators with simultaneous exposure to wind and snow. Data on specific loads for the construction region can be found on the Internet.

Gable roofs with a simple design give the house an elegant and festive look.

Photo gallery: projects of houses with gable roofs

A gable roof allows you to arrange a small attic room on the second floor. The angle of inclination of the gable roof is selected based on the intensity of the winds and the average snow load in the construction area. Despite the simplicity of the design, a gable roof can be the central element of the overall design of the building. The inclination angles of the roof slopes do not have to be the same

Calculation of gable roof parameters

Determining the main characteristics of the roof is necessary already at the foundation design stage to calculate the impact of the total weight of the building on the supporting foundation.

Area calculation

With a symmetrical gable roof, it is enough to determine the area of ​​one slope and double the result.

The height of the roof depends on the selected slope angle. Usually it is in the range of 30–45 degrees. In the first case, the height will be half the distance from the projection of the ridge to the axis of the Mauerlat. Using the Pythagorean theorem and carrying out calculations, we find that the length of the slope for a building 10x9 m will be equal to 5.05 meters. The area of ​​the slope is determined as 5.05 x 10 = 50.5 square meters. And the total roof area will be 50.5 x 2 = 101 m2.

In cases where a gable roof has an unbalanced roof, i.e. the ridge axis is shifted from the building axis, the area of ​​each slope separately is calculated using the same method and the results are summed up.

However, this calculation does not take into account the area of ​​the roof overhangs. They are usually 0.5–0.6 meters. For one slope, the overhang area will be 0.5 x 5.05 x 2 + 0.5 x 10 = 4.1 + 5 = 9.1 m2.

total area roof will be 101 + 9.1 x 2 = 119.2 m 2.

Most rafter calculations are made using the Pythagorean theorem, reducing the structure to a set of rigid figures - triangles

Calculation of rafter cross-section

The cross-sectional size of the rafters depends on several factors:

  • the magnitude of the load on them;
  • type of materials used for rafters: logs, timber - homogeneous or glued;
  • rafter leg lengths;
  • wood species;
  • distances between the axes of the rafter legs.

All these parameters have been calculated for a long time, and to determine the cross-section of the rafter legs, you can use the data below.

Table: rafter section size

As the installation pitch of the rafters increases, the load on each of them increases, which leads to the need to increase the cross-section.

Common dimensions of the main parts of the rafter system:


Determining the angle of inclination

The angle of inclination of the roof slope is determined by the requirements of its finishing coating:


One of the reasons for reducing the angle of inclination is the desire to make the attic or attic space as large as possible. This intention is also the reason for installing a sloping roof.

Calculation of the distance between rafters

This parameter depends on the type of finishing coating, or rather, its weight. For the heaviest material, the distance should be minimal, from 80 centimeters. In case of use soft roof, which is light in weight, the distance can be increased to 150 centimeters. The number of rafters and translations is calculated as follows:

  1. The length of the building (10 meters) must be divided by the distance between the rafters, presumably 120 centimeters: 1000 / 120 = 8.3 (pieces). We add 1 to the result obtained, it turns out 9.3.
  2. Since the number of rafters cannot be fractional, the result is rounded to the nearest whole number - 9.
  3. The distance between the rafters is finally set: 1000 / 9 = 111 centimeters.

With this distance, all rafters will be equidistant, and the load from the roof will be distributed evenly.

The length of the rafters is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, as already shown above.

Do-it-yourself gable roof installation

Work on the installation of the rafter system begins with the installation of the Mauerlat.

Mounting the load-bearing device on the wall

Mauerlat is made from high-strength wood - oak, larch, etc. If such materials are not available, pine can be used.

The timber comes in standard lengths - 4 or 6 meters. Therefore, connecting several parts along the length is inevitable. It is made with cutting of the connected ends “half-tree”, for example, for a beam with a cross-section of 150x150 millimeters, a sample of size 75x150 with a length of 300 mm is made. The ends are overlapped. Fastening is done with two or four M12 or M14 screws with washers. large diameter. Using the same principle, the beams are connected at the corners. Finished design is a regular rectangle that is installed on the upper plane of the wall along the perimeter.

Two beams are spliced ​​using a sample of wood on each of them. They are then bolted together

The technology for installing the Mauerlat provides for its placement strictly along the axis of the wall or offset in any direction. In this case, you cannot place the support beam closer than 5 centimeters from the edge. To increase the service life of the Mauerlat, it should be installed with waterproofing along the wall surface. Most often, roofing felt is used for this.

Methods for attaching the Mauerlat to the wall

  1. Installation on anchor bolts. Perfect option with monolithic walls. Threaded rods are embedded in the wall when it is cast.
  2. Wood dowels. They are nailed into a drilled hole. For this type of fixation, additional metal fasteners are used.
  3. Forged staples. They are used with pre-installed wood embedded parts.
  4. Stud or fittings. The pins are walled up during the laying of the wall and are removed through the support beam along drilled holes. The diameter of the fasteners should be 12–14 millimeters, the protrusion above the surface of the beam should be 10–14 centimeters.
  5. Steel wire. A bundle of two or four wire strands is installed when laying the wall 2-3 rows before its end. The Mauerlat is tightened using a crowbar. Often used as an additional fastening of the support beam.
  6. When installing a reinforcing belt, fastening with studs or anchor bolts is also used.

The mounting locations should be approximately halfway between the rafter legs.

Video: installing a Mauerlat on an armored belt

Photo gallery: methods of mounting the Mauerlat on the wall

The studs are embedded in the wall while it is being poured, then the Mauerlat is put on them and secured with bolts. The wire is also installed at the stage of laying the wall. The Mauerlat can be secured using wire ties passed through the holes in the beam. Wooden plugs are inserted into the spaces between the wall blocks, in which they are then strengthened staples

Types of rafter systems and their installation

The choice of roof truss design is determined by the configuration of the building. If there are no internal capital partitions, a hanging rafter system is constructed.

If there are permanent partitions, it is necessary to use a floor installation scheme.

Manufacturing of rafter pairs

This is the name of a pair of rafter legs connected into an arch with the installation of a spacer element in the form of a tie for a hanging system or a crossbar for a decking system.

Installation of rafter pairs is carried out in three ways:

  1. Assembly is done at the top after installing the translations. They are covered with plank flooring nailed down.
  2. The formation of rafter pairs is carried out on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the house. Only blanks that represent a rigid triangular structure are assembled. Lifting of products is carried out when the rafter pairs are ready for the entire system. For this purpose, it is possible to use lifting devices in the form of a manual or drive winch, which represents certain inconveniences and additional costs. On the other hand, assembly on the ground is much easier and more accurate.
  3. The roof is assembled directly at the installation site in detail.

In any option, the rafter legs are mounted according to the template, which is the first truss. For higher assembly accuracy, it is advisable to fix the parts of the next pair to the previous pair with clamps.

During assembly rafter systems on the ground, all structures are made according to a template, which is the first manufactured truss. This makes the installation more accurate

Procedure for installing the rafter system

Prefabricated roofing elements are installed in the following sequence:

  1. First of all, you need to install the front rafter pairs and secure them with temporary fasteners. The most important point is verticality, which is checked with a plumb line. This installation procedure is possible when all rafter pairs are at the top.

    Frontal truss structures are installed first

  2. A construction cord must be pulled between the opposite front structures to control the coincidence of the supporting surfaces of subsequent rafter pairs.
  3. Next, trusses are installed alternately, one on each side. Each arch is carefully installed in its place, its location in space is verified in all planes, and then standard connections are installed with the previous rafter pair.

    Intermediate trusses are mounted one on each side and connected with standard jumpers to previously installed structures

  4. After installing the last arch in the middle of the roof, you need to install all the connections according to the project and attach the ridge beam.
  5. It is recommended to connect parts using metal plates - flat and in the form of corners. It is better to connect the most loaded units with bolts, the rest with self-tapping screws. Nails are used only for initial fixation during installation.

    The rafter legs are attached to each other and to the Mauerlat using metal corners

Fastening rafter system parts

To reliably connect the elements of the roof frame, various auxiliary elements are used, made of galvanized steel up to 1.5 millimeters thick.

The use of additional fasteners ensures a strong assembly of the rafter system

When assembling using additional connectors, labor productivity increases and the strength characteristics of the structure increase.

Special fastening devices are used to connect roofing elements of wooden buildings. Thus, the upper joint of the rafters is often connected using a hinge. This is due to frequent movements of the building, including seasonal ones.

The hinged connection allows you to avoid large stresses at the junction of the rafters during seasonal movements of the log house

For the same purpose, sliding fastenings are used on houses made of this material.

A reliable sliding connection of the rafters with the Mauerlat relieves this unit from stress during deformations of the structure

Video: quick production of rafters

Before installing the sheathing, the roof is insulated. For this:

  1. The internal sheathing is filled from the attic or attic side.
  2. The vapor barrier film is stretched.
  3. Insulation is being installed.
  4. A moisture-proof film or membrane with one-sided permeability is laid.

Thus, in addition to insulation, it creates ventilation system under-roof space. It starts working after installing the coating.

It is more convenient to lay the insulation layer on the outside on the internal sheathing with a vapor barrier coating

In certain conditions, roof insulation can be done from the inside; this is not so convenient, but you can safely work in any weather conditions. The formation of the roofing pie is done in the reverse order. Each layer of insulation as it is laid must be strengthened in the openings between the rafters.

Creating a frame pediment

Before you begin decorating the gable, you need to arrange the sheathing and lay the finishing roof covering.

When forming the sheathing, the appearance of the future is taken into account roofing covering. It is made from edged boards 25 millimeters thick. Lathing happens:

  1. Solid - boards are packed at a distance of 2–4 centimeters from one another. Used when using tiles or soft roofing.
  2. Sparse - the distance between the boards is 15–25 centimeters. This sheathing is installed under metal tiles, corrugated sheets, slate and other similar materials.
  3. Rare - the distance between the boards is from 0.6 to 1.2 meters. Used when the length of the covering sheets is equal to the length of the slope with an overhang. This coating is made only to order.

The sheathing should be brought out beyond the gable rafters to create an overhang.

On the front roof trusses a frame is mounted for attaching the front finishing material

Roofing installation

Before laying the sheathing, the roof is insulated and a moisture-proof layer is laid. Further:

  1. The roof covering is being laid. The installation sequence is from bottom to top in rows. The straightness of the first row is controlled by a stretched cord.
  2. Roofing sheets are fastened with self-tapping screws using shock-absorbing gaskets.

When installing the final roof covering, you cannot skimp on fasteners; the protective layer must be durable and able to withstand wind and snow loads.

Sheets of metal tiles are laid from bottom to top, starting from the corner of the roof

Installation of gables

The sheathing of frame gables is done based on the characteristics of the material intended for the front finishing. The following products can be used for this:


After installing the sheathing, it is necessary to lay moisture protection from polyethylene film 200 microns thick. It can be secured with construction staples. This work is done outside. Can be covered with film outer surface selected finishing material.

The gables must be insulated with roll or tile insulation. The thickness of the protective layer must be at least 10 cm, and for areas with cold climates - at least 15 cm. An internal moisture-proof layer of film is stretched over the insulation.

A lathing for the front finishing is placed on top of it, for which bars measuring 50x50 millimeters are used. The entire building is finished at the same time, after the roof is insulated.

During the process of facing the pediment, windows are installed, if they are provided for in the project, and in some cases, doors.

Gable wooden house with a gable roof is most often finished with clapboard

Decoration of overhangs

Roof overhangs, both gable and eaves, in addition to a purely decorative function, are intended to protect walls and foundations from water or snow. Their sizes are usually 50–60 centimeters. The design of overhangs is made using various materials:

  • planed board, installed end-to-end or overlapped;
  • tongue and groove lining;
  • block house lining;
  • sheet plastic;
  • sheet profiled or smooth metal;
  • finished products made of metal or plastic - soffits.

There are several ways to install overhangs:

  1. Along the rafters. In this case, the lining of the space under the roof on the overhang is carried out with fastening directly to the projections of the beams.

    Hemming along the rafters is done along the lower edge of the rafter leg

  2. Along the rafters inside. TO rafter leg strips are attached to which the board is hemmed. The lower part of the rafter remains open, and the opening under the roof is closed.

    When hemming the rafters from the inside, the rafter beams remain open

  3. In the box For this method, a plank is installed from the end of the rafter perpendicular to the wall. The second plank is installed on the wall and attached to the rafter. Sometimes a jib is installed between them. The hemming is done to these planks.

    To frame the box, it is necessary to make a frame from mutually perpendicular bars

According to the filing, you need to complete ventilation holes. They can be of any size, but large ones must be covered with a fine-mesh mesh made of any material. This allows you to avoid birds and birds from entering the under-roof space. harmful insects. Soffits are sold with ready-made ventilation grilles.

Ventilation is installed only on eaves overhangs; it is not needed for gable overhangs.

When finishing with soffits, there is no need to drill ventilation holes - they are already made at the factory

Video: do-it-yourself gable roof installation

With modern abundance building materials and as such, you can install a gable roof yourself. The cost savings will be quite significant. But it can also result in losses if you do not carefully think through every step during construction. I wish you success!

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