Installation of gable rafters. Non-thrust rafter system for a gable roof. What tools might you need to build a gable roof with your own hands?

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The roof has great importance for the integrity of the entire house. Therefore, many are interested in how to properly assemble a rafter system so that it is reliable and does not have to be repaired in the near future. There are many types of roofs, some of them can be seen in the photo, but the most popular are lean-to and gable structures. Let's figure out how to make a rafter system correctly.

Types of roofs

Before moving on to how to make a rafter system, you need to understand what the common types of roofs are.

A pitched roof is the simplest; even a person who does not have much experience in construction can cope with its creation. However, this type of roofing is used mainly in the construction of commercial buildings. For residential buildings Usually they make gable or mansard (broken) roofs. These structures are more complex, but you can easily handle them on your own if you know how to make gable roof rafters and follow all the recommendations of specialists (read: "").

The most reliable roofs are hip roofs; they can withstand even enormous loads. They are recommended to be done in regions where there is a lot of snow and strong winds often blow. But their design is very complex, so it is better to entrust their construction to professionals.

A hipped (hipped) roof is used in the construction of square buildings; in its design, it is a type of hip roof.

The most complex roof is a cross roof. During its construction, complex structural elements– valleys (grooves). These diagonal auxiliary rafters are installed as additional elements. During construction such complex roof rush is unacceptable. The bulk of the snow accumulates in the area of ​​the valleys, and the reliability of the roof depends on how to make rafters in these places.

Each type of roof consists of rafters and roofing. The rafters are the load-bearing part of the roof, and the roof surface is the enclosing part.

Types of rafters

Before you lay the rafters, you need to know about them design features and decide on the installation option.

There are two types of rafters: layered and hanging .

Hanging rafters - these are inclined beams mounted on supports with different heights. The support can be the external walls of the house (in case pitched roof) or simultaneously internal and external walls (with a gable roof). The rafter legs do not have to be laid in the same plane opposite to the slopes. They can be mounted alternately on the ridge girder. Alternate laying of rafters in the ridge area makes it possible to create a roof truss. For this purpose, all parts are connected together into a single rigid structure.

Materials for rafters

As for rafters made from boards, they are not heavy and are easy to install. You can easily work with this material yourself, without resorting to outside help. Many experts do not advise making connections with nails - it is better to use self-tapping screws. If the work will be carried out using nails, do not forget about linings and liners.

As for how to build a rafter system, it is better to use notches to connect the racks to the purlin or beam.

Installation of the rafter system with your own hands, details in the video:

Options for connecting the rafter system

The rafter system can be connected in three ways:

  • struts;
  • stands;
  • simultaneously struts and racks.

How to properly make rafters depends on the span between the outer walls. A 10x10 centimeter beam is used to create a ridge girder. The bench and mauerlat can be made from logs by cutting them into two edges, or by taking a 10x10 centimeter beam.

When designing a ridge assembly, it is necessary to nail special clamps made of steel strip to the mauerlat and purlin with large nails, taking into account. You don’t have to use steel clamps, but then you need twists made of thick wire with a diameter of 6 millimeters.

Regarding how to make a brick or stone house, you need to lay a mauerlat on the masonry. To secure it securely, it is recommended to place a piece of log or timber about 50 centimeters under each rafter leg. Then they are attached using clamps to metal hooks, which were previously installed 30 centimeters below the Mauerlat.


Many people have a question about how to make rafters for the roof wooden houses. Rafters in wooden buildings are laid on the upper crown of the wall. A plank roof truss can be created using a crossbar or with spans (6-8 centimeters). Its structural elements are arranged as follows. They make a single tightening using boards, the thickness of which is equal to the thickness of the rafters. For double tightening, thinner boards (from 40 millimeters thick) are used. For the crossbar and linings, 30 mm parts are used.

How to determine the cross-section of rafters

Before laying the rafters correctly, you need to decide on their cross-section.

This parameter depends on:

  • span dimensions;
  • expected load (wind force, weight of snow cover and roofing material);
  • pitch and installation angle of the rafters (roof slope).

There is a dependence of the cross-section of the rafters on the length rafter leg.

It is expressed as follows:

  • with a step of 300 centimeters, beams with a section of 10x12 centimeters or boards with a section of 6x14, 8x14 or 4x18 centimeters are used;
  • with a step of 400 centimeters, beams with a section of 10x16 centimeters or boards with a section of 6x20, 8x20 centimeters are used;
  • with a step of 500 centimeters, beams with a section of 10x20 centimeters or boards with a section of 8x22 centimeters are used.
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The roof covering must be selected taking into account the roof slope. Also, the choice of roofing material depends on financial opportunities. The greater the roof slope, the more funds will be required to create the roof - this is due to the increased consumption of materials. However, steep roofs provide better drainage rainwater and snow, so they are more reliable and will not require repairs longer. But given the huge selection of roofing materials on the market, this will not pose any difficulties.

Creating a rafter system for a bathhouse

As for how to make rafters for a bathhouse, it is better to choose a gable roof - then the building will have attic space, which can be used to store brooms and other bath accessories (read: ""). Thus, it is advisable to create a rafter system for a gable roof, it is simpler and more practical.

When constructing private houses, the roof is most often made of a gable roof. There are reasons for this. The first is that it is reliable. Copes well with wind and snow loads. Secondly, it is compatible with any roofing covering. The third is relatively inexpensive. Fourth - simple design, which is difficult to spoil. Fifth - she looks attractive. All this, and the fact that a gable roof is built with your own hands without special knowledge, determines its popularity.

The assembled gable roof with your own hands is ready for installation of the roofing covering

Step-by-step installation of a gable roof

As you saw above, there are a lot of rafter systems. Accordingly, each assembly has its own characteristics, but in general order same. It is necessary to talk about the general step: pre-drying and processing of wood. This step is required if you bought fresh lumber rather than dried.

Use in roof construction raw wood natural humidity will lead to problems: the beams will bend, they will dry out, and the geometry will change. All this will lead to the emergence of stress points and the slightest sign overload (lots of snow, strong wind or rain) negative processes will begin. Eliminating them is a complex and expensive undertaking. Therefore, either buy dry wood (no more than 20%, ideally kiln drying 8-12%), or buy the material a couple of months in advance and put it in ventilated stacks. Then treat with the necessary impregnations (against fungal attack and to reduce flammability) and only then use it in the installation of the rafter system.

Lumber should be dried in ventilated stacks. To do this, they are laid with short sections of boards. They are placed a meter from the edges and then every meter. Spacers must be installed under the lower one

We will tell you about the main stages of assembly and how to make a gable roof with your own hands in this section.

Mauerlat

Assembly of the rafter system begins gable roof from installing the Mauerlat. It must be positioned strictly horizontally, therefore, before installation, the horizontality of the wall to which it is attached is carefully checked, and if necessary, it is leveled cement mortar. You can continue work after the solution has gained 50% strength.

Depending on the system, this is a beam with a cross-section of 150*150 mm or a board with dimensions of 50*150 mm. It is attached to the top row of the wall masonry. If the house is wooden, its role is played by the upper crown. If the walls are made of lightweight building blocks - foam concrete or aerated concrete and others - their rigidity is not enough to redistribute the load. In this case, a reinforced reinforced concrete belt is made on top of the last row of masonry, into which embedded fasteners are embedded - wire or pins. A beam or board is then placed on them.

There are several ways to connect walls and mauerlat:

  • Smooth rolled wire is fixed in the masonry (in the reinforced concrete belt) large diameter(two ends sticking up). Holes are then made in the board in the required places into which the wire is threaded. It then curls and bends.
  • Studs with a diameter of at least 12 mm are immured in the wall. Holes are made in the Mauerlat for them, a timber/board is inserted) and tightened with nuts and wide washers.
  • Having aligned the timber or board along the outer or inner edge of the wall, take a drill with a diameter of 12 mm and make holes for the anchor bolts. They (the same diameter of 12 mm) are hammered in to the very top, then tightened with a wrench.

The distance between the studs (wire) should not be more than 120 cm. It must be placed on the wall (belt) under the Mauerlat shut-off waterproofing. This can be rolled up roofing material or waterproofing material in two layers, or coated with bitumen mastic.

Installation of rafters

There are dozens of types of gable roof truss systems. First of all, you need to choose what yours will look like. Further, in order to make the work easier, a template is made from thin boards for all cuts, notches and other similar parts. To do this, you may need to assemble the first form on the roof, and then make templates using the finished form.

The assembly procedure depends on the type of rafter system. If the rafters are layered, they are installed gradually, assembled from elements directly on the roof. In this case, it is convenient if the ceiling beams are laid and, if possible, the rough flooring of the attic or attic.

In systems with hanging rafters, a truss is assembled on the ground - a ready-made triangle of tie and rafter legs with all the required struts and racks. The required number of farms is assembled immediately. Then they are lifted to the roof, placed vertically there and attached to the Mauerlat.

On the one hand, this is convenient - it’s easier to work on the ground, and with a high assembly speed, the accuracy is high: one truss is not much different from the other, which simplifies the procedure. But lifting prefabricated trusses can be difficult, especially for large buildings. To make this easier, install two inclined boards, one end of which rests on the ground, and the other sticks out slightly above the wall. The trusses are brought closer to this “lift”, one at a time they are installed below, ropes are tied and pulled along the boards onto the roof. If there is no winch or crane, this is the most acceptable method.

Assembling rafters requires certain knowledge: how and in what order to install them, how to mark and make cuts. Watch the video for assembling one of the headstock circuits.

The procedure for assembling the rafter system


That’s it, the gable roof is assembled with your own hands and is ready for installation of roofing material.

The process of installing rafters itself raises enough questions, but there are many ways and it is impossible to tell about them all. Watch one of them in the video. The system was large and was lifted to the roof in parts, and then assembled into a single structure. For big houses it's comfortable.

Features of installing the rafter system of a wooden house

The difference between wooden houses is that the log house shrinks, and this leads to a change in the geometry of the rafter system. If the elements are fastened tightly, the roof may fall apart. Therefore, the fastenings are made floating. There are special sliding fasteners, which in this case are used to secure the rafters to the upper crown and to the purlins, if any (see photo).

In order for the rafter to move freely during shrinkage, its long part is fastened strictly parallel to its edge, and placed strictly perpendicular to the support. If necessary, a platform is cut out for it. Mark the fastening so that the hook is in the lowest position or near it. They are attached to special self-tapping screws that are included in the kit (regular ones do not fit). If the installation is carried out on a log, so that the rafter leg does not slip along it, a semicircular hole is cut out in the lower part on which it will rest.

Such fasteners are sold at any construction market, it’s called “slippery”. Watch the video to see how to attach the slider to the beam.

Video on assembly and installation of gable roof rafter system

Building a gable roof with your own hands is not easy: there are a lot of subtleties and nuances, there are different methods of fastening and extension. Describing them in words is a thankless task. This is the case when it is better to see. Below we offer you a selection of videos that may be useful to you.

Video report on how a gable roof is made

The house owner's story about the stages of construction. There are interesting technical points, which may be useful.

Two types of rafter connections: rigid and sliding

Video about the two most problematic types of connections.

How to determine the angle of rafters

Full video report on the assembly of the rafter system

This film takes just under an hour, but the process is demonstrated from start to finish in great detail. The roof is placed on, but when installed on buildings of another type (except wooden houses) there is no difference.

A gable roof is the most common design used in the construction of residential buildings, since erecting a gable roof with your own hands is quite simple and quick. Mass use of this type roof is explained by its reliable, proven excellent characteristics: it does an excellent job of protecting the house from wind and precipitation, in winter it can easily withstand significant loads from snow, and its construction does not require special construction skills. It is widely used not only in the construction of a residential building, but also for adjacent buildings: bathhouses, garages, cellars, gazebos.

Do-it-yourself gable roof - advantages

First, let's try to figure out why a gable roof is so popular today, what are its advantages, for example, over or hip roof and which one suits her best.

  • Fits a large number of types of roofing material;
  • The simplicity of the design allows you to make this roof yourself;
  • Possibility to place a second (attic, attic) floor;
  • The ease of laying the roof on this structure.

Preparatory stage

First you need to decide on the size of the roof and its angle of inclination. To do this, you need to take into account: the amount of precipitation, the snow and wind load of your region, as well as the type of roofing material that will be used.

On a note! The smaller the angle of inclination of the roof, the better design will withstand these loads. However, too small an angle of inclination will not allow full use attic room, so it is necessary to find a middle ground.

Before you start building a roof, you need to familiarize yourself with what it is and what it consists of. In accordance with the draft house plan, it is being developed future design and the shape of the roof.

A gable roof consists of two inclined planes(slopes), located at an angle to each other, connected in the ridge area. Triangular gables are formed at the ends of the roof.

Elements included in the roof frame

Mauerlat as it is often called (roof foundation) - a support beam for rafters installed on top part walls of the house, evenly distributing the load on the building. In a house made of wood, the last row of the frame acts as the mauerlat.

Installing a Mauerlat on brick or block walls carried out using powerful anchors. Mauerlat is made from dried wood, treated with a protective fire-fighting and antifungal agent, with a cross-section of 100x100mm. up to 150x150 mm.

Rafter legs— installed in pairs, on both sides of the roof and secured to the ridge, thereby forming a rafter system (roof contour).

Their installation pitch is usually in the range of 0.6-1.2 m, and depends on the type of roofing material used. The heavier the roof, the smaller the pitch used. Rafters are made from dry edged boards coniferous species, thickness from 50 mm. For the safety and durability of the structure, it is also necessary to use special impregnations for wood.

Roof ridge- horizontal, upper line of connection of the rafter legs with each other. Its height at the beginning and at the end in relation to the top points of the walls should not differ. This can be measured using a hydraulic level.

  1. Racks– vertically installed supports for the rafter system. Depending on the width, the racks can be installed as soon as under ridge beam, and additionally in the interval from the ridge to the roof eaves. The supports are made from edged boards or timber.
  2. fillies— these elements of the rafter system are required to extend the rafter legs when they are too short and it is not possible to make the overhang of the required length. They are attached to the bottom of the rafters by overlapping boards of a smaller section and fastening them together with a nail.
  3. Runshorizontal beam, fastening the legs of the rafters. Attached with inside at the base of the ridge, or in the center of the rafter legs.
  4. Puff- a beam fixed from below that connects the rafter legs, preventing them from diverging.
  5. Sill- a support beam lying horizontally on the load-bearing wall inside the log house, on which racks are installed that support the rafter system. Material – timber with a cross section of 100x100mm. up to 150x150 mm..
  6. Struts and racks– additional supports for the rafter legs, giving the structure additional stability, are attached to the tie rod or beam.
  7. Lathing– a structure made of bars or boards, necessary for laying the roof, is attached perpendicular to the rafters, the pitch depends on the type of roof. Under flexible tiles use plywood sheets, laid on the rafters as a continuous carpet.

Do-it-yourself gable roof - elements of the rafter system

  • The presence of the above components in the roof structure depends on its type and size. There are two options for installing a rafter system on a gable roof: layered And hanging. In the first version, the rafters are attached: at the bottom to the mauerlat, at the top to the ridge beam. The ridge must be supported or internal wall or vertical posts.

Hanging rafters rest on each other at the top, and at the bottom on the tie or floor beams. In houses built of wood, the fastening of the rafters to the mauerlat is made sliding, this will avoid damage to the roof frame when the house shrinks.

What is a roof truss

Rafter truss- This flat design, which includes: rafters, racks, braces and braces. the main task of this design, arrange all the elements so that the internal walls of the house do not experience any load, and the entire vertical load goes to the external, strong walls. The wider the span, the more posts and braces will be required.

Do-it-yourself gable roof - gable roof truss

Layered rafter system

Suitable for roof types with a span of 10 to 16 m. Rafters can be installed at any angle, and load-bearing walls or columns are required in the house. At the top point, the rafters rest on a ridge girder supported by an internal wall or racks, and at the bottom on a mauerlat.

The loads in this design are vertical, so there is no need to install tie rods. To strengthen the rafter legs, install crossbars And struts.

Step-by-step installation instructions

On the walls of the house along the entire perimeter, as well as on the inside, a mauerlat and a frame are attached to anchor bolts, additionally fastening it from the inside with a strong metal plate.

It is necessary to place under the Mauerlat waterproofing material, roofing felt is most often used. The material of the mauerlat and the bed is timber with a cross-section from 100 to 150 mm.

Do-it-yourself gable roof - mounting the Mauerlat

Floor beams are placed on the mauerlat and the beam, opposite the rafter legs. They are made from edged boards 50x150 mm. For further safe movement, you can lay a subfloor on them, securing it with a self-tapping screw or nail.

Under the ridge girder, stands are placed on the bed, fastening them to the bed with powerful metal corners, plates or nails, installation step no more than 2 meters. The racks (supports), using a level, are leveled vertically, and they are temporarily secured in any suitable way. Then a purlin (ridge beam) is placed on vertically installed supports and fastened in a similar way.

DIY gable roof - installation vertical racks under the ridge

Rafter legs are made from edged boards. First, a template of one leg is made, where the cutting angle of the attachment to the ridge beam and the mauerlat is measured. The resulting template must be tried on both sides of the roof at the rafter attachment points.

If the cut is done correctly, then the remaining rafters are made according to the template. In the case when the Mauerlat and ridge beam are installed strictly horizontally, the template does not need to be tried on in all places.

do-it-yourself gable roof - diagram of fastening the main components

If the board is of sufficient length, then the overhang from the roof is left at least 30 cm, otherwise there will be a need to lengthen the rafters by attaching an additional board (filly) to it.

In the ridge, the rafters are fastened to each other using metal plates and nails. To fasten the rafters to the mauerlat, metal brackets are used, one end of which is driven into the board, the other is driven into the mauerlat; in addition, corners and nails can be used.

If the roof width is large, the rafters are strengthened with struts, which are attached at an angle to the support post standing on the floor and the rafter itself. After all the rafters are installed, their length is measured again and if there is no need to adjust it, then a wind strip is nailed to the ends of the board.

Important! Layered rafters can withstand greater loads than a system with hanging rafters, so this design is chosen when building large houses with an attic floor and an insulated roof.

Hanging rafter system

This rafter system is ideal for the construction of gable roofs, where the span does not exceed 6 meters, and there are also no internal load-bearing walls. The support of the lower parts of the rafters is the mauerlat; at the top, leaning on each other, they are their own supports.

A special feature of this design is the need to use a tightening that prevents the rafter legs from diverging, thus, there is no bursting load on the walls of the house and only vertical force acts. An additional tie (bolt) can also be installed under the ridge. All construction work is carried out by analogy with the installation system of layered rafters.

Features of hanging type structures

  1. It is mandatory to have a tie that performs the main function of fastening the rafter legs.
  2. When using this system, you can completely discard the Mauerlat; it can be replaced by a regular edged board laid on roofing felt.
  3. Possibility of installing ready-made bonded triangles (rafter trusses) on the walls.

Do-it-yourself gable roof - examples of hanging rafter systems (diagram)

The advantages of the hanging system include the absence of support posts in the center, which makes attic floor more spacious and allows you to plan this space more rationally.

This design is easier to implement and requires less building material, which automatically significantly reduces its cost. It is recommended for use in the construction of small houses. The reliability of this design is quite high.

As you can see for yourself, a do-it-yourself gable roof is a completely doable task for everyone. You just need to have basic knowledge and construction skills in order to do everything correctly.

Making a residential building is a complex and lengthy process. It contains many pitfalls that await the novice builder at every stage. An important part of any house is the roof. We will dwell on the types of roofs and roofing materials separately in another article. Today we’ll talk about how to make rafters for a gable (gable) roof, and we’ll touch on the topic of calculation and selection of material.

Design Features

The traditional option for Rus' is a gable roof. Slopes are flat parts of the roof that have a constant slope to the horizon. The angle of inclination must be accurately calculated; it can vary from 10-15 to 60-80 degrees. Failure to comply with the specified parameters leads to negative consequences:

  • As the angle of inclination increases, the length of the rafters changes and, accordingly, the height of the roof. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the load on the house frame and fastenings. In addition, due to the high windage, the sharp roof is highly susceptible to wind. In regions where strong wind gusts prevail, such a structure may collapse and cause harm to human health.
  • Installing a roof with a slope of less than 10 degrees is also not recommended: the roof will not withstand the pressure of snow accumulating on its surface. In places with heavy rainfall, the optimal slope angle is 45-60 degrees.

Thus, correct slope will provide the gable roof with durability and safety. The basis for calculating this indicator are the corresponding tables of wind and snow loads for a particular region.

IN last years A device called an attic is gaining popularity for private housing construction. Such gable design allows you to organize a full-fledged living space of large area and height in the under-roof space, as well as equip spacious balcony from one of the facades of the house.

Wherein roof trusses For attic structure more complex and massive, require careful calculation and fastening.

Roof structure: getting to know the main elements

Structurally, the gable roof is represented by a rigid wooden frame, which is mainly made from softwood lumber of a certain section. The specific size of the frame elements and the fastening pitch are calculated based on the dimensions of the house and the load on the roof.

The main components of a gable roof include:


Types of rafter systems: choosing the right one

Gable roofs, according to the type of rafter system, are divided into layered and hanging. The first involves the installation of racks and a common beam attached to the mauerlat, the second is characterized by the presence of a tie between the base of the rafters.

Hanging rafters are used for small buildings without internal load-bearing walls, layered rafters are used for buildings with a load-bearing middle partition. The choice of rafter system depends on the size of the house, the expected angle of inclination of the slope and roofing materials, which together determine the amount of load on the entire structure. Only a professional builder can choose the right type of system and make an accurate calculation.

Roof parameters

Just before the start construction work, at the design stage, perform calculations optimal parameters roofing: the angle of inclination of the slopes, cross-sectional dimensions, installation pitch frequency and rafter layout.

Wind and snow loads V different regions our country are uneven. SNiP 2.01.07-85 will help you calculate them for a specific area. At the same time, experts recommend making a certain safety margin for the roof frame, taking into account possible peak loads.

In addition, there is also a constant force on the rafter system - the pressure of the roofing material. The table shows the weight of popular coatings per 1 m2 of surface.

Various types of materials present and different requirements to the optimal slope angle of the slopes. This aspect also needs to be taken into account when designing the roof.

Roof angle depending on material

Equally important is the calculation of the installation step and fastening of the rafters to the Mauerlat, that is, the distance between adjacent trusses. Typically this value is 0.6-1 m. An upward change in this indicator leads to an increase in the load on the rafters and, as a consequence, an increase in their cross-sectional area. It is necessary to install the supports so that the fastening step is the same for all pairs.

The cross-section of the rafters directly depends on the above indicators. By the way, the strength characteristics of wood of different species differ (glued laminated timber has the greatest strength). Here is a table for calculating cross-sectional dimensions for rafters made of coniferous varieties depending on the installation pitch and support length.

Preparation and processing of lumber for the frame

Installation of the rafter system is not difficult, having a roof drawing at hand, necessary materials and having experience with carpentry and carpentry tools.

When choosing wood for a roof frame, preference should be given to pre-dried boards without rot and with a minimum number of knots.

If desired, rafters, racks, mauerlat and other elements can be pre-planed. Treatment with antiseptic compounds and fire retardants in two layers is required.

Applying liquid mordants with a brush or roller is difficult and time consuming. It is much more effective to use dipping. To do this from edged boards with a cross-section of 200x25 and a length of 6 meters, a trough is made, inside which they spread in one piece plastic film and fix it along the edges with a construction stapler.

Several cans of antiseptic are poured into the resulting container, lumber is immersed in the solution and, thus, the treatment is carried out at one time. According to the instructions, it is forbidden to mix compositions with different effects to speed up impregnation.

Assembly of roof trusses

Builders do not have a consensus on where to assemble rafter trusses. Some make them on the ground and already ready-made designs are lifted up for installation, others prefer to do all the work on the site of the future roof. Both methods are valid. The first option is safer, the second is less expensive, since lifting large trusses will require a crane, which is associated with additional costs.

Regardless of where the work is performed, the first step is to prepare templates for sawing the ends of parts at a certain angle or the required shape. Taking into account the specified parameters, measure desired length lumber and cut with a hacksaw or circular saw.

Rafter system diagram

Next rafter pair fastened taking into account the installation step. In order not to measure the required value each time, pieces of boards of a given length are prepared in advance and fixed to the mauerlat between the trusses. After installing all the rafters, the upper part of the supports is connected with a ridge girder. To increase the strength of the structure, longitudinal bars are mounted on the sides.

This completes the installation of the rafters. All that remains is to sheathe the outside of the trusses with sheathing made of unedged boards, bars or sheets of plywood and OSB, laying insulation and vapor barrier. Read more about this in other articles.

Variations of execution truss structure gable roof mass. Its appearance will largely depend on whether the attic space will be heated or cold, on the availability load-bearing partitions, the choice of roofing material and, of course, the taste preferences of the developer. Despite the variety of roof structures (rafter system and roofing pie), the basic installation rules remain unchanged.

The main stages of installing a gable roof

Gable roof projects

Before starting the installation of the roof, it is necessary to draw the external shapes of the future frame, indicating its configuration and height, so that in total the gable roof looks proportional in relation to general structure, in a word, clearly imagine the structure of the rafters of a gable roof. This can be done in any way convenient for you, the main thing is to maintain the scale for a real vision of the prospects. From experience we can say that optimal height The roof is considered to be 1/3 of the length of the house. Here we implement our ideas regarding a straight or broken slope, branching in the main lines (Fig. 1), residential or non-residential attic space and the type of roof itself, it can be hanging or layered. The latter option is more often used when constructing gable roofs, since it is more practical and economical in terms of lumber consumption.


After you have decided on the appearance and functional purpose structure, it is necessary to draw a diagram of the rafter system and make its layout in projection. This is necessary in order to calculate required amount material for roof construction.

The expenditure item of the total budget for roof installation will largely depend on how complete and rational the calculations are made. For example, if you know in advance that you will need N number of linear meters of timber, then when cutting you need to take into account standard length lumber and rafter leg size. As a rule, long structural elements have to be made into joints, so without proper cutting, you can get an inflated percentage of waste.

Despite the fact that gable roofs are considered the most convenient and economical in terms of laying roofing coverings, it would not be amiss to calculate the amount of sheet or piece material. Since the installation of each of them has its own characteristics, the need for overlap, the number of ridges or waves, technical features (one-sided capillary groove), etc., when calculating the total surface area, it is necessary to take into account all these subtleties.

The height of the slate wave and the thickness of the sheet also matter if slate is chosen as a roofing material.

According to GOST 30340-95, 8 wave and 7 wave slates are produced with the following parameters: wave height h - 40 mm, wave pitch (distance between adjacent ridges) - 150 mm, and sheet thickness - 5.2 or 5.8 mm.

Example of consumables calculations

IN ideal, when the installation of a gable roof is carried out according to the project, a selection of all structural elements is made, indicating the length and quantity of each position. Using a rational cutting system, the volumes are summed up by:

  • Lumber (m.p.)
  • Insulation (m2)
  • Vapor barrier membrane (m2)
  • Roofing covering (quantity in pieces, m2)

For clarity of calculations, we will take as a basis a house with specific dimensions

  • Width(s) – 5 m
  • Length (h) – 8 m
  • Apex angle () – 1200
  • Slope angle (A, C) – 300

We start by calculating the height of the roof, it is calculated as follows

h = ½ x a/ tg /2 = 0.5 x 5/ 1.73 = 1.44 mm

the length of the rafter (AB) according to the right triangle theorem will be equal to the product of ½ the width of the house divided

by sine of ½ vertex angle

L(AB) = 1/2 x a / sin /2 = 1/2 x 5 / 0.87 + 0.5 = 2.87 m

To the resulting length, do not forget to add the length of the eaves overhang; it is determined in the range of 0.5 ÷ 0.8 m. Therefore, the final size of the rafter leg will be equal to 2.87 + 0.5 ÷ 0.8 = 3.37 ÷ 3.87 m (let's stick to the 3.5m option)

S over. roof = a x L(AB) x 2 = 5 x 3.5 x 2 = 35 m2

This is not a total figure for the amount of roofing material that will be needed to cover the roof. To it you will need to add the percentage of waste based on the cutting according to the roof configuration. For each option it will be individual, so the final result will be known after specific calculations.

Lumber for sheathing is also easy to calculate. The pitch between the battens (m) is taken to be 300 mm. Total

M = L(AB) / m x b = 3.5 / 0.3 x 8 x2 = 187 l.m.

We calculate the board for the rafters in the same way. The pitch between the rafters is set, it can vary from 600 to 1000 mm, the cross-section of the board, the weight of the roofing pie are taken into account, and not the least role is played by the multiplicity, which is dictated by the width of the heat-insulating mats and the size of sheets of moisture-resistant plywood or OSB boards when making a continuous sheathing.

All other elements are calculated according to the given scheme.

Set of tools for constructing a roof

Once you have completely decided on the designs of the rafter system and the roofing pie, you can adjust the classic list of tools that you will need to build the roof. It is very convenient to have a belt for tools when working at the top, so they will always be in one place and at hand. Its kit should include:

  • Roulette
  • Pencil or marker
  • Lace (beat)
  • Hammer
  • Roofing shears
  • Putty knife
  • Roofing knife
  • Construction tape
  • Hacksaw
  • Screwdriver with screw attachment

In some cases, mastic-based adhesives and polyurethane foam may be needed.

Some devices greatly simplify the installation process, such as templates and slats with markings.

Roofing details

It is also worth paying attention to the so-called roofing details, which the developer often does not pay attention to, but they also affect the functionality and durability of the roofing system. The use of low-quality self-tapping screws (without the manufacturer's mark and with a thickness of EPDM gaskets less than 2 mm) leads to roof leaks. Not durable paintwork on the fittings may become damaged over time and ruin appearance roofs. Another element that is important when constructing a roof is snow retainers; their absence increases the risk of an avalanche of snow falling from the roof. This in turn may lead to damage drainage system, buildings or cars located under the roof. The next problem that worries developers is the problem of condensation, which is associated with insufficient ventilation of the under-roof space. To improve air exchange, it is necessary to provide for the installation of ventilation outlet elements in the roof surface; they allow you to ventilate the under-roof space more intensively, and therefore avoid the problem of condensation.

They also forget to prescribe antiseptic compounds as an item in the expense item, without which it is impossible to imagine modern construction made of wood.

Gable roof rafter system. Installation and its features.

The installation begins with the installation of a support beam - Mauerlat. It is installed on load-bearing walls and secured using pre-built anchor bolts or metal studs. The accuracy of installation of the entire rafter structure depends on how smoothly the Mauerlat is mounted. His straightforwardness

checked using a level; if necessary, leveling is done using linings or trimming off protruding parts. The flatness of the support beam allows you to use one template to make all the table legs on the ground, rather than having to adjust each one in place. It is recommended to carry out the support of the rafters on the mauerlat using one of the methods indicated in Figure 3.

It is highly undesirable to cut on a mauerlat or on a ridge run; this can reduce bearing capacity supporting elements.

If the project provides for a ridge run, and this is more reliable option, the next step is to install the beam at the top point of the gables. Fastening units A and B in Fig. 1 are made according to the diagrams shown in Fig. 4


The ridge girder is made from 50x200-250 mm boards, the ends of the beams are treated with an antiseptic compound and wrapped with waterproofing material, the end part is left open for air access. Assembling a rafter structure with a ridge girder is much easier than without it. The fact is that the presence of a longitudinal beam allows you to install a pair of rafters separately, which saves time and labor costs.

Roofing pie device

Upon completion of the installation of the rafter system, they proceed to laying the vapor barrier layer. Roll material roll out parallel to the ridge girder and attach it to the rafters from the inside of the roof. Butt joints are made overlapping and sealed with tape.

From above, the space between the rafters is filled with insulation. To ensure protection of thermal insulation from moisture due to possible roof leaks or condensation forming on inner surface roof covering, under-roof waterproofing is installed. She gets nailed with outside rafters with nails or staples and secure the counter battens with bars.

Next, the sheathing is installed; its design is selected depending on the roofing material. With the help of counter battens and sheathing, a ventilated gap is created, this ensures the air-dry condition of all roof materials.

Laying roofing is the final stage in the roof structure. It is applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. At the end of the main work, they begin to assemble and install drainage systems, ventilation, snow retainers and ladders for roof maintenance.