How to install a gable roof rafter system. Rafter system: types and installation for different shapes of pitched roofs. Features and types of rafter systems

Thanks to simple device, ease of maintenance and durability, ensuring long-term operation, a gable roof is the most common solution when arranging houses.

Types and features of a gable roof

The shape of the gable roof is determined at the design stage. It largely depends on further operation attic space. There are three main types gable roof:

  • Symmetrical. The most common option provides a reliable device and uniform load distribution. There is virtually no risk of rafters bending down. A significant drawback is the impossibility of arranging an attic. Sharp corners form areas of the attic that are unusable.
  • Simple asymmetrical. The formation of one angle exceeding 45° ensures an increase in usable area. This allows you to organize additional living rooms. Uneven distribution foundation loads and load-bearing walls causes difficulties at the stage of calculations for installing rafters.
  • Broken. The fracture of a gable roof can be internal or external. Thanks to the non-standard design, it becomes possible to use the attic space to create a full second floor. Calculations for installing rafters become much more complicated.

Calculate correct angle slope is a key task preceding the installation of rafters for a gable roof. The climatic features of the region are taken into account. The presence of frequent and heavy rainfall necessitates the need for a steep slope of the gable roof. Installation of flat slopes is preferable in case of significant wind loads. With a possible range from 5 to 90 o, the most common roof option is one with a slope of 35 to 45 o, characterized by savings in material consumption and uniform load distribution.

Rafter system options

Mauerlat and rafter system - load-bearing elements gable design. The rafters themselves consist of several parts:

  • rafter legs and tie rods connecting them and imparting rigidity;
  • vertical racks;
  • crossbars;
  • ridge and side girders;
  • longitudinal struts; in regions with significant snow and wind loads, additional installation of diagonal struts is performed;
  • spacers;
  • bed and sheathing.

Advice ! The rafter diagram necessarily includes the installation chimney and ventilation shaft.

For the selected gable structure, there are three options for installing rafters. Let's look at the features of each method.

  • If the roof width is less than 6 pm, the installation option is considered hanging rafters. The process involves fixing the leg between the ridge girder and the supporting wall. This ensures a reduction in the impact of bursting force on the rafter legs. The connection of rafter elements is carried out using tightening made of wood or metal. Their installation at the bottom allows them to perform the function load-bearing beams. An indispensable condition is reliable fixation of the tightening, as it is subject to bursting forces.
  • Layered rafters are not limited to the size of gable structures; they include beams and posts. Significant advantage This type of rafters is easy to install. The practicality of the design is overshadowed by the presence of a stand.
  • Complex configurations of two pitched roofs provide for the installation of combined rafters.

Having determined suitable look rafter system, proceed to calculating the amount of material. In this case, each element of the roof needs a separate drawing and recording of the obtained calculation results.

Calculation of the rafter system

In fact, the rafter system is triangular elements connected together, characterized by maximum rigidity. If the gable roof has a broken structure, the irregular rectangles need to be divided into separate components, followed by calculation of the loads for each part. On final stage the data is summarized.

Determination of permanent and temporary loads

An integral condition for installing rafters is determining the loads on a gable roof. They are divided into constant, variable and special. Components of the magnitude of permanent loads - the weight of the sheathing, finishing materials attic, insulation and other elements that generally form the weight of the roof. On average, this load on the rafters is 40-45 kg m2.

Advice ! Calculation of the strength of a gable structure provides for a 10% margin.

Based on the indicators in the table indicating the weight of individual materials for roofing, you should adhere to a maximum load of 50 kg per 1 m 2 of roof area.

The very name of variable loads indicates their inconsistent action. This includes wind force, snow cover and other types of intense influence weather conditions. A gable roof is like a sail; an incorrectly calculated angle of inclination can provoke its destruction under the influence of strong winds. To calculate this parameter, we turn to the indicators specified in SNiP “Loads and Impacts”, taking into account related factors (location of the house in open space or among high-rise buildings). Determining the influence of snow cover on a gable roof is the product of the weight of the snow and a correction factor that takes into account aerodynamic effects. According to SNiP, the weight of snow ranges from 80-560 kg/m2. The dependence of the coefficients on the angle of inclination of the roof is presented in the following figure:

If the angle exceeds 60°, this parameter is not taken into account due to the impossibility of retaining snow cover on a gable structure. Special loads are provided in regions with increased seismic activity, with possible storm winds or tornadoes, which is not typical for most territories.

Calculation of technical parameters of rafters

The installation of the rafters is based on the shape of the gable roof; the more complex it is, the more rafter elements the system includes. When using a soft roof, the angle of inclination of the roof does not exceed 20 o; steeper designs require the installation of ondulin, metal tiles or standard slate.

The choice of rafter pitch depends on the roofing material used and the weight of the gable structure; it varies between 0.6-1.0 m. The number of legs is determined by dividing the length of the roof by the gap between the rafter pairs and then adding 1. The result shows the number of legs per one side of the roof, to determine the overall indicator, the figure is doubled.

Installation of rafters will not be complete without determining their length, for which the Pythagorean theorem is used (c 2 = a 2 + b 2), where:

  • The roof height (a) is selected based on the possibility of further use of the attic space.
  • Let us denote half the width of the house as b.
  • The hypotenuse (c) represents the desired quantity - the length of the rafters.

Note! The result obtained should be increased by 0.6-0.7 m for cutting and moving the rafter element beyond the wall.

If the maximum beam length of 6 pm is not enough to install the rafter leg, it can be spliced ​​by joining or extending.

When determining the cross-section of the rafters, the following factors are taken into account:

  • constant and variable loads:
  • what roofing material will be installed;
  • type of wood used;
  • length rafter legs and a step between them.

The table below will help you determine the parameter you are looking for:

Rafter installation pitch (m)

Rafter leg length, m

Analyzing the data, a pattern emerges: increasing the installation pitch of the rafters proportionally increases the load on each leg, therefore, its cross-section should increase.

Approximate sections individual elements gable roof rafter system are given below:

Installation of a gable roof

After carefully checking the calculations, they begin to install the Mauerlat.

Mauerlat

Installation of the Mauerlat includes the following steps:

  • Fixing the beam on the wall intended to support the rafters. If the house is made of logs, the function of the Mauerlat is performed by the upper crown. Buildings made of porous material require the installation of a Mauerlat along the entire length of the load-bearing wall.
  • Overshoot problem standard sizes lumber when installing the mauerlat is solved by splicing them.
  • To connect the Mauerlat of a gable roof, the timber is cut exclusively at a right angle; the function of the connecting link is performed by bolts. The use of wire, nails and wooden dowels is not acceptable.

Installation of the Mauerlat can be done in the center of the supporting wall or offset. When fixing the structure, at least 5 cm must remain to the outer boundary of the wall. The use of waterproofing protection will protect the wooden frame of the gable roof from damage by moisture. Reliable fastening is an essential condition for installing rafters and mauerlat on a gable roof. There are several ways to fulfill this requirement:

  • Anchor bolts are ideal for a monolithic structure;
  • It is preferable to equip log houses with wooden dowels;
  • porous materials combine well with reinforcement or studs;
  • annealed wire is used as an additional fastening when installing rafters;
  • hinged fastening involves displacement of the rafter legs during the process of shrinkage of the house.

Installation of rafters

Installation of rafter pairs is carried out in two ways: directly on the roof, which is very impractical, or on the ground. With the second method, difficulties may arise when moving the assembled elements onto the roof. The installation of assembled pairs on the mauerlat is preceded by the preparation of cuts; they are made exclusively on the rafter leg, so as not to weaken the base wooden structure. Mounting options are shown below:

To install paired rafters, temporary spacers and struts are used. The ridge unit is formed by connecting at the top of the rafter legs. The process involves several options for completing the task:

  • the small design of the gable roof allows for the absence of a support beam;
  • large dimensions require the use of rafter beams, which subsequently serve as support for the rack.
  • cutting method.

Arrangement options are shown in the photo:

Installing the sheathing makes it easier to attach the roofing material; its pitch directly depends on the coating used:

  • a maximum pitch of 44 cm is possible when arranging the roof with slate or corrugated sheeting;
  • a distance of 350 mm will be sufficient when covering with metal tiles;
  • soft roofing requires continuous sheathing.

Installing rafters contains a lot of nuances that are difficult to foresee in advance. Templates made from thin boards can make it easier to prepare cuts and cuts. The video will also answer some of your questions.

The gable rafter system is chosen by many owners of residential buildings. This is due to its high practicality and ease of creation. If you carefully study the structure of the rafter system of a gable roof, then the process of its formation can be done with your own hands. The resulting structure is highly reliable and durable, and also guarantees excellent protection of the structure from cold and precipitation.

Main elements of the system

The design of the gable roof truss system is considered simple. It consists of a variety of elements made from wooden elements of different lengths, configurations and cross-sections. The main nodes include:

  • Mauerlat. It is represented by a beam with a square-shaped cross-section. To create it, it is usually used coniferous wood. Its dimensions vary from 10 to 15 cm. It is laid along all load-bearing walls of the building. It is fixed to them using anchors or special rods. If you make and attach it correctly, it will evenly distribute the loads from the rafter legs along all the walls of the structure.
  • Rafter legs. They are created from timber with cross-sectional dimensions of 15x10 or 15x5 cm. When they are properly connected, a roof contour is formed in the shape of a triangle. It must be durable and reliable to withstand heavy loads from rain and wind. The rafter legs should be fastened at a distance of about 1 m from each other.
  • Sill. It is created from a square wooden beam, the cross-section of which is equal to . It is laid horizontally on a load-bearing wall located inside the building. Due to it, the load coming from the roof racks is evenly distributed.
  • Puff. This element applies if you select hanging structure. It is installed on top of the resulting triangle of rafter legs, which ensures its stability.
  • Racks. To create them, a square beam is used. They are located in a vertical position. They bear the load from the ridge, after which it is transferred to the load-bearing wall located inside the building.
  • Struts. The installation of these elements is necessary to obtain a special transmission element located between the rafter legs and various load-bearing parts. Due to their reliable connection with a tightening, the creation of a strong structure is guaranteed.
  • Lathing. Assembled from bars or boards. Installed perpendicular to the rafter legs. It ensures the transfer of gravity from the roof of the roof to the legs of the rafters. It is advisable to use edged boards. If you plan to create a roof covering from soft roofing materials, for example, bitumen shingles, then the sheathing must certainly be continuous.
  • Horse. It is represented by the topmost element of the entire roof. Due to it, its two slopes are connected. Its assembly is carried out by connecting the legs of the rafters at the top of the roof. It must be located in a horizontal position.
  • Eaves. It protrudes from each wall of the building by about 40 cm. Its installation is due to the need to protect the walls from water flows resulting from precipitation.
  • Fillies. Provides the ability to create a roof overhang. They are used exclusively in situations where short rafter legs are used, so they are lengthened by fillets.
  • Important! The pitch between the legs of the rafters is selected in accordance with the weight of the roof, since the more weighty it is, the smaller this gap should be.

    Thus, the design of the gable roof rafter system is considered quite simple, so making this structure with your own hands is not difficult.

    Types of structures

    The rules and features of the installation of this design depend on the chosen variety.

    Types of gable roof rafter system:


    All options have their own characteristics, so their characteristics are preliminarily assessed. If you plan to install the rafter system of a gable roof with your own hands, then a simple symmetrical design is chosen.

    Important! The basis for obtaining an ideal result is competent calculations, and if they are incorrect, the roof will not be reliable and durable, and it will also be dangerous to live in such a house.

    How to choose a material to create a system?

    When choosing a material, the following rules are taken into account:

    • rafters are made exclusively from high-quality wood, which is free of any rotten areas, damage, knots or other defects;
    • to form the sheathing, edged boards are purchased;
    • all wood must be well treated with antiseptics and fire retardants.

    Important! The presence of knots is allowed, but their length cannot be more than 1/3 of the thickness of the timber used.

    Calculation rules

    To make the rafter system of a gable roof reliable and of high quality, a lot of attention is first paid to competent calculations. They should affect all elements of the future design:

    • Load calculation. Any system is affected by two types of load. Permanent forces will regularly impact the structure, and this includes the weight from the roof covering, sheathing, thermal insulation material, waterproofing, additions and finishing materials used for the attic. Typically this load is 40 kg/m. sq. Variable loads can have different strengths, as they include wind, snow exposure and precipitation intensity. To calculate the load, the wind load of a specific region is multiplied by a special correction factor.
    • Determination of the angle of inclination. A roof with two slopes may have a different angle of inclination, and it is determined by the roofing material used. If a soft roof is installed, then a slope of 5 to 20 degrees is selected for it, or metal tiles vary from 20 to 45 degrees.
    • Calculation of snow load. In winter, a large amount of snow can accumulate on the roof. To avoid any problems with the structure, the frame must withstand these loads. To calculate, you need to multiply the weight of the snow by a correction factor.
    • Definition . The gap between these elements is usually selected in the range from 60 to 100 cm, and the final choice depends on the roof and the weight of the roof.
    • Definition . To do this, it is recommended to use the standard Pythagorean theorem.
    • Determination of the rafter section. This parameter is influenced by several important factors: the load on the roof, the type of materials used, the length of the rafter legs, as well as the pitch between them.

    Important! When calculating loads, the possibility of a storm or tornado is additionally taken into account, since if the house is located in a region where such loads can occur, then a safety margin is made for the roof, read more:.

    Types of rafters

    Before the actual work on creating a gable roof with your own hands, you should make a special plan, which will contain a drawing and layout of the entire structure. In this case, it is taken into account which rafters will be used, since the following types can be used:

    • . Suitable for small buildings. Their installation involves fixing the legs to the load-bearing wall of the structure, as well as to the ridge girder. A peculiarity of the use of these elements is that the rafter legs are subject to a bursting force, and to reduce this influence, puffs are used. They can be made of wood or metal.
    • Layered. Suitable for roofs of any shape and size. The layered structure is used in conjunction with racks and beds. The bench is laid parallel to the fixed Mauerlat, so a certain part of the load is transferred to it. This allows you to tilt the legs of the rafters towards each other, which are additionally supported by the stand.
    • Combined. They are used when using unusual configurations of gable roofs.

    After determining the main design parameters, the calculation begins required quantity material. Next, you can begin to directly create the rafter system.

    Installation of the structure

    A do-it-yourself rafter system for a gable roof is created only after preliminary drawings and plans have been generated. The scheme of future contraction must be clear and correctly calculated. To do this, it is recommended to use special computer programs.

    Important! In the presence of Money it is allowed to contact specialized construction companies for correct calculation.

    Installation of a gable roof truss system is divided into successive stages:

    • To the walls of the building. Its installation is carried out along their entire length. If the house is made of logs, then the mauerlat acts as its upper crown. If cellular concrete or brick is chosen for the building, then it is mounted on top of the load-bearing wall along its entire length. It is necessary to splice the mauerlat, for which the beams are sawn at right angles and connected with bolts. It can be mounted offset to the side of the wall or in its center. Laying is done on a layer of waterproofing, for which roofing felt is usually used.
    • Creation of roof trusses. To do this, it is allowed to install beams on the roof or form a structure on the ground, after which it is raised to the roof. The second option is often chosen, since it is difficult to carry out work on the roof of a house. But to lift the constructed structure you will have to use special equipment. Before connecting the legs of the rafters, their correct size and location are checked.
    • . The formed pairs are lifted to the roof, after which they are laid on the Mauerlat. To do the job correctly, special cuts are made at the bottom of the legs. The process begins with the ends of the roof, located opposite to each other. To obtain an ideal result, temporary fasteners are used when installing elements. A rope is stretched between the fixed pairs, making installation of subsequent elements simplified. All rafter legs are mounted, and the correct pitch between them is checked. Next, a special ridge support is installed. All additional elements, used in the rafter system, are fixed by cutting and staples. It is allowed to lengthen the rafter legs if necessary.
    • Installation of the ridge. It is created using a competent connection on top of all rafter legs. To form it, they use different methods, and it is allowed to use a support beam for this or you can work without it. If timber is used, it is permissible to place a ridge on it or use the cutting method.
    • The rafter system is considered completed, but in order for it to be strong and reliable, all elements must be thoroughly secured, so all temporary fasteners are eliminated, in place of which high-quality products are used to fix all parts of the system.
    • Installation of sheathing. This design designed for easy movement on the roof, and also serves as a basis for laying the roof. Its type and parameters depend on the chosen roof. A continuous sheathing is created if a soft roof is chosen. has a distance between boards within 35 cm. For slate, this parameter is 44 cm.

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Step-by-step installation gable roof - guide home handyman

Professionals consider the gable system to be the simplest and most affordable, this is partly true, but for the home craftsman self-installation Roofs of any configuration can become a problem. Therefore, next we will analyze step by step all the stages of constructing a gable structure, starting with professional terminology and ending with the arrangement of the roofing pie.

Basic concepts and subtleties

Before you go to the store for materials and try to do something with your own hands, it would be useful to understand what exactly you want, because gable systems come in several types. And to create a basic project, you need to know the basic principles and terminology.

What and what is it called

  • Mauerlat- this is a beam that serves as a support for the rafter legs and is mounted along the perimeter of the external load-bearing wall. The minimum cross-section of such a beam is 100x100 mm. It can be monolithic or stacked, that is, consist of 2 beams of smaller cross-section;
  • Rafter leg- this is an inclined beam with its lower side resting on the mauerlat, and the upper connection of such beams forms a ridge, in gable system there are 2 of them. The minimum thickness of the rafter leg is 50 mm. The width of the beams can be from 150 mm or more;
  • Farm- the connection of two rafter legs (triangle), called a truss. The number of trusses depends on the length of the building, the minimum truss pitch is 600 mm, the maximum is 1200 mm. The choice of pitch depends on the weight of the roofing pie, as well as on the snow and wind load in the area;
  • Horse- the upper line of connection of the rafter legs and two roof planes, it is also called the ridge girder;
  • fillies- overhangs from the edge of the rafter leg to the outer load-bearing wall. Stuffed on the front side of the overhang front board, which often serves as a support for the installation of roof drain gutters;

  • Racks- vertical supports that take on a significant part of the weight truss structure. IN small houses the stand is placed only in the center, and supports the skate. For large roof sizes, as well as in houses with a residential attic, intermediate racks are installed;
  • Struts- small beams that are mounted at an angle and provide additional stability to the trusses;
  • Puff- a horizontal beam connecting 2 adjacent rafter legs. It can also be called a fight or a crossbar;
  • Sill- this is to some extent an analogue of the Mauerlat, only here the beam is mounted on top of an internal load-bearing wall or several internal walls;

  • Lathing- boards stuffed on top, perpendicular to the rafters. The sheathing can be continuous or with gaps, it all depends on the weight and structure of the roofing pie;
  • Run- an analogue of ridge beams, but ordinary purlins are mounted along the entire roof plane, they strengthen the trusses and serve as additional support for the rafter legs.

Types of gable structures

Illustrations Explanations

Symmetrical system.

The symmetrical rafter system is considered the most reliable and easiest to install. The loads here are distributed evenly, so the thickness of the roofing pie does not play a big role.


Asymmetrical system.

Asymmetry is good not only for its original look, it is easier to arrange a living space under such a roof.

But, at the same time, much more calculations will be required, because the loads on the base and the roofing pie vary greatly.


Broken roof.

Formally, such a roof already has more than 2 slopes, but the installation procedure for broken and classical structures is similar. Therefore, they are combined into one direction.

What is the difference between layered and hanging systems?

If the distance between the external walls does not exceed 10 m, and there is no permanent wall inside the house, then hanging rafters are installed. They rest on the Mauerlat and are pulled together at the bottom ceiling beams, plus in some cases additional transverse ties are installed.

Installation of layered rafters can only be carried out if there are permanent walls inside the house. However, the dimensions of the building do not have of great importance. The layered system is much more practical and durable, because a significant part of the total load is taken by the wall.

A few words about calculations

When calculating any roof, 3 main components are taken into account - constant, variable and special loads.

  1. Constant loads include, first of all, the weight of the roofing and the rafter system itself. In unheated attics, this weight often does not exceed 30 kg per 1 m², and if you are installing a full-fledged roofing pie with insulation, then the weight here can reach up to 50 kg;

  1. Variables include snow and wind loads. To calculate, you need a wind rose and average precipitation for the region. SNiP 2.01.07-85 will help you here; according to it, in Russia the snow load ranges from 80 to 320 kg/m². Both snow and wind loads are multiplied by a factor depending on the angle of the roof, and this factor is constant;

If your gable roof has a slope angle equal to or greater than 60º, then the snow load can be ignored; snow is not retained on such a roof. But the wind pressure here is much higher.

  1. Special stresses include natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Fortunately, there are few such places in our country, so they are rarely taken into account in calculations. Below in the video in this article is given detailed instructions according to roof calculations.

Stages of installation of a gable roof

The entire installation can be divided into fastening the Mauerlat, then comes the laying of rafters, racks and struts, and it all ends with the arrangement of the roofing pie.

How to install the Mauerlat

Fastening the Mauerlat, first of all, depends on what material your house is built from. So, if the house is brick or made of cinder block, then a couple of layers of roofing material are rolled out over the wall and the Mauerlat beam is screwed on top with anchor bolts or any other studs.

With houses from cellular concrete(foam or aerated concrete) everything is a little more complicated. Neither an anchor bolt nor a pin will hold in such a block, so a reinforced reinforced concrete belt is poured around the entire perimeter of the wall, into which iron pins are initially embedded to secure the Mauerlat.

IN wooden houses The rafter system is mounted without a mauerlat at all; more precisely, the role of the mauerlat is played by the upper beam.

Rafter legs in wooden houses are connected to the upper beam (mauerlat) according to the sliding principle, that is, not rigidly. This installation allows the rafters to move as the house shrinks.

We install a simple rafter system

Illustrations Recommendations

Mauerlat.

IN in this case The installation of the Mauerlat was carried out on a built-in threaded pin; the pin was locked on top through a washer.

Plus, an anchor bolt was driven nearby for strength.


Extreme farms.

To keep the outer trusses in the desired position, they were screwed in the center and additionally secured with spacers and posts.

These racks are needed only during the installation of the rafter system; then they are dismantled.


Connection of rafters with Mauerlat.

Stage 1.

Vertical racks are installed first on the Mauerlat. They are cut from the same timber as the rafter legs.

The outer racks are fixed with two corners, 8 screws in each, and the middle ones are fastened in the same way, with only 1 corner.


Stage 2.

On the reverse side of the rafter leg, exactly the same stand with a corner is installed. The rafter leg itself is connected to the posts with long self-tapping screws and through pins with a diameter of 12 mm.


Stage 3.

On the outer trusses, in addition to the mounting on the Mauerlat, intermediate racks are also installed (they are not subsequently removed).


Stage 4.

A triangle is rigidly attached between the two posts holding the rafter legs on the mauerlat.


Ridge run.

Stage 1.

The ridge beam must pass exactly under the connection of all trusses. To secure this beam, 2 tie-rods were installed on the outer trusses, and the beam itself was screwed to the tie-rods with corners.
Bars of this cross-section are usually 6 m long, so they can be extended if necessary. To make the connection strong, we attached the same bars on both sides and tightened everything with 4 12 mm studs.

Stage 2.

For reliability, the connections of the rafter legs were tightened with metal plates with 6 12 mm studs, 3 studs in each beam.
If there are not enough such overlays with studs for each truss, then pull at least the outer ones, and fix the rest on both sides with plates on self-tapping screws.

Tightenings on the end trusses.

On the outer trusses, the tie rods are installed inside, between the rafter legs and fixed on both sides metal plates.


Tightenings on intermediate trusses.

2 tie-rods are placed on the intermediate trusses, they are applied on both sides and tightened with two studs (12 mm) and four self-tapping screws.


Reference point.

In order to align the intermediate trusses in the same plane, immediately after installing the outer trusses, a cord is stretched between them and the remaining trusses are mounted along it.

Cutout in the rafters.

In order for the rafter legs to rest more firmly on the Mauerlat, triangular cutouts are made in them.

But such cuts are made only in block houses, in wooden houses there are no cutouts, the rafters there must slide.

fillies.

There should be at least 30 - 40 cm from the edge of the rafter to the wall. In this case, 50 cm was made. A tolerance of 10 cm was left for insulation and wall cladding with siding.


Rafter system - the result.

We have created a lightweight hanging type rafter system. We did not install central pillars, so the attic can be made habitable.
The puffs on the middle trusses are paired, and on the outer trusses they are single. At the top point of the trusses there is a single ridge beam. Since the system is hanging, the rafter legs have double reinforced fastening.

There is one more important point: in wooden houses, in addition to the sliding fastening of the rafter legs to the mauerlat, it is advisable to also make the ridge connection movable. The easiest way is to screw metal plates on both sides of the rafter legs and “sew” these plates together with a central pin, as in the photo below.

How does a roofing pie work?

Roofing pie diagram for everyone pitched roofs similar, but the installation technology and sequence of actions may differ slightly. If there are enough funds for quick installation, then the pie is installed from the bottom up and the entire roof is completed in a maximum of a week. But if the house is being built gradually, then they act differently.

If you have limited financial resources, you can first install a roof under cold attic, and then (when money and time appear) insulate everything with your own hands.

To begin with, a vapor barrier is installed on top of the rafter system. The rolls are rolled out perpendicular to the rafters and cover each other from bottom to top. As the roll is rolled out, the membrane is nailed to the rafters with counter batten bars (50x50 mm), and the main batten is placed on top of these bars.

After the first roll is rolled out and secured, the next one is rolled out on top of it with an overlap of 150 mm. After which it is also fixed with a counter-lattish, onto which the lathing is stuffed. There is no need to measure the overlap of the next roll; there is a line on it for this purpose.

The pitch of the under-roof sheathing can be different, for example, the slats are packed under the metal tiles with a gap of about half a meter, and if you ceramic tiles, then you need to focus on the dimensions of the plates.

Insulating the roof from the inside is also easy. Mineral wool slabs are simply inserted from below between the rafters. Then the insulation is hemmed with another membrane, onto which it can already be sewn finishing attic.

If you prefer soft bitumen shingles, then the diagram below gives step-by-step instructions for its arrangement.

Conclusion

A gable roof is a good choice for the beginning home handyman. I tried to highlight the main stages and subtleties of its arrangement. If you still have questions, write in the comments, I will try to help.

October 9, 2017

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The rafter system is the basis of any roof. The complexity or availability of the rafter structure depends on the type of roof chosen. Today we will talk about the most simple version– rafter system for a gable roof. Experienced specialists talk about the structure of the roof frame, the features and functions of its elements, and how to build a gable roof rafter system with your own hands.

Gable roof: types and advantages

Let us recall that a gable roof is a type of roof consisting of two planes (slopes) connected at an angle of a certain degree. It can be simple (symmetrical or asymmetrical) and complex - broken.

The rationality of choosing a roof from two slopes is determined by its following advantages:

  • Cost-effectiveness and ease of construction, in comparison with other roofing structures.
  • Ease and availability of service at any time of the year.
  • Reliability and durability in case of wind, snowfall, hail and other natural influences.
  • Possibility of arranging an attic.
  • Better hydro- and thermal insulation.

The theoretical minimum required for the construction of a rafter system

The pitched roof structure is made of metal or wooden beams. Metal is a more “problematic” material. It makes the entire roofing system heavier, cools and heats up quickly, is more difficult to install and requires the use of professional welding equipment. Based on this, wood is mainly used in the construction of private houses (especially with your own hands).

There are two main options for making a rafter system for a gable roof - a hanging type device (each rafter leg has two support points) and a layered method (the rafters are connected at the bottom by a tie, forming a triangular truss, with a load-bearing beam installed in the middle). A layered structure is necessary if there is a distance of more than 10 meters between the load-bearing walls. Look at the image:

What does the system of rafter elements consist of? Let's imagine a 3D projection. The roof skeleton consists of a mauerlat (rafter base), rafter legs, ridge, racks, purlins, beams, tie rods, struts and sheathing. The Mauerlat, the support and the tie rods are the lower parts of the system on which the entire future roof is erected. First, check out the illustration below, and then look at each element separately:

Mauerlat - the basis of all foundations

Mauerlat is a solid wood beam (mostly coniferous species) with a cross section of 10-15 cm. This optimal sizes for the required strength and durability of the entire roofing structure. The timber is laid on the load-bearing walls of the house to redistribute the thrust load on them.
There are two ways to install rafter beams - with transfer of load to the walls and without transfer of gravity. The choice of mounting option for the Mauerlat should depend on the weight of the roofing system, covering, thickness of load-bearing walls and roof perimeter.

With the latter option, the Mauerlat is placed in a pocket, closer to the inner edge of the wall, and attached to wooden plugs with staples (each plug corresponds to the size of the brick and is part of the top row of brickwork).

The bars that take the load are mounted on the load-bearing walls from above using anchors. Experts advise placing a rigid frame on concrete base in the form of a belt in the wall. High-quality waterproofing must be installed under the Mauerlat.

You can find out more from the video:

Leather - basic load distributor

The bench performs functions similar to the Mauerlat and has the same dimensions. Beams are laid on internal load-bearing walls to evenly distribute the loads from vertical posts and struts.

For a master class on installing bed frames, see the illustrations:

Rafter legs - ribs of the roof skeleton

Rafters can be called the main component of the roof frame. This element cannot be omitted or replaced with another part. The legs of the rafters are wooden beams, the cross-sectional size of which can vary from 5 to 15 cm. The rafters rest on the mauerlat and are connected to each other by a ridge.

The rafter installation process can be seen in this video:

Horse - a small nuance with a big meaning

The final element at the junction of two slopes is called the ridge of the roof. This is an edge located vertically at the highest point of the roof. A ridge girder is installed at the junction of the rafters. Afterwards the roof ridge is installed on it. This element holds the rafters together, performs a ventilation function and gives the roof aesthetics.

Racks – receivers of the main loads

Racks are powerful beams that take part of the load of the rafter structure. They are installed vertically, usually in the center of the truss. If the project includes an attic, then the racks are placed on both sides, closer to the roof slopes. When the attic is divided into two rooms, the racks are placed both in the center and on the sides.

Purlins – rafter support

The ridge and side purlins serve as an amplifier of the rigidity of the trusses. The greater the load on the system (snowy winters, heavy roof covering, big square roofs, etc.), the more purlins should be installed on the roof slopes.

Tightening – truss element connector

This structural detail performs the function of fixing the rafters at the base. Thus, a rafter triangle is formed - a truss. Tightenings may not be installed in layered systems.

Struts - structural strength

The struts serve as support for the racks and strengthen all structural elements. Experts recommend installing struts at an angle of 450. This increases the strength of the system and protects it from deformation under the influence of snow and wind.

Lathing - the basis for the roofing pie

Lathing - horizontal wooden slats with a cross section of 40-50 mm, located on the slopes perpendicular to the rafters. The main purpose of the lathing is to fix the roofing material. The frequency and thickness of the lathing slats depends on its type. In addition, the sheathing helps move materials during roofing and serves as an additional element of structural strength.

Overhang elements - final moments

The edge of a roofing system is called an overhang. This is a protrusion of the rafter system above the wall by about 40 cm. The eaves box consists of the following elements: fillets (slats connecting to the rafters), frontal and cornice boards. The purpose of the overhang is to protect the walls from getting wet during rains and melting snow.

Step-by-step guide to installing a gable roof truss system

To begin with, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the illustration that we have prepared for you:

Now let’s look at the three main stages of the process of installing a rafter system for a simple gable roof:

Stage 1: Calculations and design

Work should begin by preparing a roof project. It will contain all sizes, shapes and types of fastenings of structural elements. To create a high-quality project, you need to make the following calculations:

  1. Calculation of constant and variable loads on the rafter system. Constant loads include the weight of the roof and finishing materials (the attic is also taken into account additionally). Variable loads are the force of wind, rain, snow, etc. The maximum can be considered the main load of up to 50 kg per square meter roofs, and variable - up to 300 kg (taking into account possible snow debris).
  2. Taking into account seismic activity, storm winds and features of the location of the house. For example, if a house is surrounded by other buildings, then the load on the roof is significantly reduced.
  3. Choosing the angle of inclination of a gable roof. When calculating the angle of inclination, the following factors are taken into account: the higher the angle, the more materials will be spent on the roof (and money, accordingly); the slope depends on the roofing material - the softer the roof, the smaller the angle of inclination (for example, for soft tiles select an angle of 5-200, and if you use slate or ondulin, you must select a slope of 20-450).
  4. Calculation of pitch and length of rafters. The pitch length between the trusses varies from 60 to 100 cm. The heavier the roof covering, the more often the rafters need to be distributed. To calculate the length of the rafter, we use the Pythagorean theorem, taking the rafter leg as the hypotenuse of the triangle. The first side will be considered half the width of the house, and the second side will be the selected roof height. Then we will add another 60-70 cm of reserve to the hypotenuse we found.

When all the calculations have been made, you need to make a drawing of the parts, connections and the entire project as a whole.

Stage 2: Acquisition and preparation of necessary materials and tools

For the work, it is necessary to purchase lumber, according to calculations, bolts, angles, anchors and other connecting parts, and prepare the appropriate tools (drills, levels, meters, jigsaw, etc.). The wood for load-bearing beams and rafters must be solid and of high quality - knots and wormholes are unacceptable.

Antiseptic, anti-corrosion and fire protection treatment of wood is a must at this stage. You can start working with the material a day after processing.

Stage 3: Installation of the roof truss structure

It is better to install the roof frame in dry, non-windy weather, so as not to encounter additional difficulties during work. At this stage we will go into more detail and consider step by step instructions installation of the rafter system.

Installing a rafter system: step-by-step guide

Step 1. Laying the mauerlat and bed. There may not be a bed if there are no more load-bearing walls inside the house. Before laying the Mauerlat on the walls, it is necessary to lay out waterproofing material, for example, roofing felt. We measure the tape of the required width, cut it and lay the waterproofing on the edge of the wall (where the frame will be installed).

We mark the beams of the required section and length, make trims and begin to form the base frame. The Mauerlat should be located on the outer edge of the wall (if a hanging structure is planned) or in a special niche on the wall in front of the threshold (if the roofing system is layered). The beds under the racks are laid on internal load-bearing partitions. The Mauerlat is attached to the wall and wooden plugs with staples, studs and anchors.

And we invite you to familiarize yourself with the illustration that we have prepared for you:

When laying the frame along the entire length of the wall, we may be faced with the need to connect the base beam. They should be performed by cutting the bars at an angle of strictly 90 degrees. Fastening is carried out with high-quality bolts.

How to avoid damaging bricks or blocks when lifting roof boards?

Select the edge of the wall through which it is most convenient to feed the beams for the roof frame. This edge must be protected with a wooden square. Two pieces of rough board about a meter long are suitable, which need to be knocked together at right angles. Place the square on the outer edge of the work wall. Now you can lift the boards without fear of damaging the walls or window sills.

Step 2. Installation of rafters. The first step is to install the outer rafters. In order to keep the rafters level, we install the racks in the center. We attach the racks to the Mauerlat using an iron angle and self-tapping screws. This temporary part is removed after all rafters have been installed. We fasten the outer rafters with crossbars and install a ridge girder. Mounting type – metal corner, screws and studs.

The illustration shows the process of installing rafter legs and attaching the rafters to the purlin:

Here's how to attach the rafters to the mauerlat:

Between the outer trusses it is necessary to stretch a construction thread, along which we will level all the rafters of the slope.

Now we install all the rafter elements according to the pre-marked diagram. We join the rafters above the ridge girder.

For more information about the rafter installation process, watch this video:

A system of special racks will help strengthen the rafter legs. They are attached to the Mauerlat wooden blocks from boards of the same thickness as the rafters. The bars must be secured in increments equal to the selected distance between the rafters according to the markings. The length of each board is approximately 40 cm. These racks will transfer the load to the mauerlat and load-bearing floors. The bars must be secured to the base with steel corners. Now the rafter legs need to be installed so that one side of each is adjacent to the rack. Then, on the other side of each rafter, we attach the same stand and grab all three parts with 12 mm studs.

After installing all the legs, the posts are trimmed flush with the rafter slope on the street side. From the inside between the racks a empty corner, which needs to be covered with a wooden triangle (you can use trimmings from the bevels).

All rafter legs should be additionally strengthened with crossbars, racks, struts and reinforced joints with metal plates. Complete process strengthening the rafters can be seen in the video:

Step 3. Waterproofing and sheathing. On the finished rafter ribs you need to lay a high-quality waterproofing, vapor-permeable material under the sheathing. The overlap of the insulating sheet (sheet on sheet) is made by 15 cm. A counter lathing made of wooden slats along the edges of the rafters. A sheathing of the same slats is installed on top, perpendicular to the rafter legs.

When installing the frame, you need to take into account the presence of a chimney and mandatory ventilation of the ridge. The average distance between the sheathing boards is 300 mm. This scheme is suitable for all types of solid roofing. When choosing a soft roofing material, the sheathing is made of solid sheets of moisture-resistant plywood.

The rafter system is ready. Now it’s the turn to install the roofing material, internal roof insulation and arrangement of the attic (if provided for by the project).

So, it’s time to answer the main question of our topic: is it worth doing it all yourself? Don't believe anyone who tells you that it is easy and simple. But if you have golden hands and a great desire to make a high-quality roof “for yourself,” then go ahead! We wish you good luck!

In individual construction gable roofs are much more common than other options. The explanation lies not only in practicality for our latitudes, but also in the design of the rafter system.

To arrange a gable roof, the rafters are laid along the simplest scheme, without requiring either serious calculations or complex installation works

In this case, material consumption will be minimal, and strength design - maximum.

Rafter system options

Despite all simplicity structures, rafter systems can be created under a gable roof several types.

Here the choice will depend on how you plan to use attic space and what are the design features of the house itself.

So, roof slopes can be made equal or various lengths. The latter option gives the cottage’s exterior originality and allows it to better adapt to the wind rose and climatic features.

By type of structure rafter systems, gable roofs are divided into the following main ones groups:

Layered rafters

A similar rafter system is used in houses that have in their middle part longitudinal main wall. In this case, it is transmitted from the ridge through the vertical elements to central load-bearing wall. The ridge itself takes on the weight of the rafter legs, delivering the entire system without the need for cross members.

Hanging rafters

This option is the most practical with a house width from 6 to 14 m. Small permissible width home for such a system is explained by significant load on the walls. The rafters rest with all their weight on the walls, the limit strength which is not unlimited.


To reduce the load on the walls, hanging rafters are introduced into the structure additional reinforcement elements: struts, tightening, headstock, crossbars, etc. Strengthening nodes can be located arbitrary Therefore, they are often given a double functional load. For example: Tightenings installed at the lowest point of the rafter system also successfully cope with the role of beams ceiling ceilings

Main design elements

Individual elements and nodes rafter frames can be made of both wood and reinforced concrete. In individual construction, the first option is more common.

The rafter system consists of the following structural elements:

  • which is a high-strength beam that is laid on load-bearing walls and takes on the weight of the rafters;
  • rafter legs. These are inclined beams, which are the basis for connecting all elements and determine the shape of the roof;
  • horse, formed by the junction of roof slopes;
  • fillies. These are boards or pieces of timber that are used to extend rafter legs to create an overhang if the rafters are not long enough;
  • eaves, performing the function of protecting walls from snow and water coming off the slopes;
  • racks, removing part of the load from the rafter legs. Installed vertically under purlins;
  • struts in the form of inclined beams, the upper part supporting the purlins, and the lower resting against the bench or mauerlat;
  • puff, connecting the rafter legs horizontally, preventing them from diverging;
  • lying down - longitudinal beam laid in the same plane with the Mauerlat under the ridge;
  • sheathing, stuffed across the rafter legs. Thanks to the lathing, the weight of the roofing material is distributed more evenly.

The elements of the rafter system are connected to each other either with nails or bolts through drilled holes. Joints converging at an angle can be reinforced with overhead metal plates or boards.

Important! When preparing material for creating a wooden rafter system, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the quality of drying and absence of damage, but also to the presence of knots. If there are any, their dimensions should not exceed a third of the thickness of the board or timber.

Installation steps

Installation sequence rafter system gable roof will be as follows:

Fastening the Mauerlat

For the device, either logs trimmed at the top and bottom are used, or

Minimum material cross-section – 100 x 150 mm.

Before the final styling Mauerlat will require preparation:

  • two layers of dense material are applied to the upper part of the load-bearing wall waterproofing material;
  • the timber is impregnated with solution antiseptic For
  • individual parts of the Mauerlat are laid out along the walls to determine their lengths. Checked along the way density landing in a prepared place.

fasten Mauerlat can be any in an accessible way, however more reliable and the easiest way to use anchor fasteners:

  • anchor bolts strictly vertically fixed on load-bearing walls;
  • in the bars of the Mauerlat are drilled out holes;
  • the Mauerlat is mounted on the bolts and finally fixed.

Since the timber has a significant cross-section, its laying over long fastening bolts are often problematic. To simplify the task, before laying the timber on the wall, stacks of thin boards are placed flush with the cut of the bolts. As these boards are removed from under the timber, it will be pushed onto the bolts evenly along its entire length.

Commit the Mauerlat beam can be either screwed on with nuts and washers, or welding piece of reinforcement.

Installation of rafters

Sequence of actions during installation rafters will be like this:

  • two beams of the first pair are lifted onto the working platform rafter legs, the length of which must be calculated in advance;
  • in places connections rafter legs with a mauerlat are marked and cut out on them fastening cut;
  • at the upper junction(under the ridge) both rafter legs are trimmed Thus, to the point overlap they could tightly connect;
  • the joint of the rafter legs is fixed with nails or bolts. Next, the work is repeated for each pair of rafter legs. Optimal step rafters at the same time - 70 cm;
  • timber is installed and fixed puffs;
  • installed under the upper joint of the rafter legs vertical beam (grandmother);
  • a horizontal one is placed on top of the rafters sheathing.

Ridge installation

To give rigidity rafter system with a central support must be installed ridge run.

It is advisable that there be under it carrier wall. In its absence, planks are laid on parallel load-bearing walls, and beams are installed on them for additional strengthening the support.

For the manufacture of ridge girders, profiled timber with a cross section of 100 x 150 mm or board with a cross section of 50 x 150 mm or more.

And they are calculated taking into account the wind and snow load on the roof of the house.

Check carefully using a level horizontality ridge run and its parallelism cut the wall.

Attention! Due to incorrect installation of the ridge girder, problems may arise with the installation of roofing materials, leaks will appear, which will lead to emergency roof repairs.

Ridge part rafter system must have maximum possible strength. A certain degree of rigidity of the entire structure is provided runs. However, at the highest point it will be necessary to create an additional stiffening rib.

For this sheathing in the upper part of the roof should be packed tightly. Optimal width reinforced part of the sheathing under the ridge - 40–60 cm. The durable ridge part will not only provide high level roofing safety, but also will make it easier even laying of the roof covering.

From thoughtfulness and thoroughness the execution of the rafter system largely depends efficiency the entire roof. But building a neat, inexpensive and beautiful roof is quite accessible to any home craftsman. You just need to study diagram installation of rafters, purchase material and do not deviate from time-tested recommendations.

For more information on the construction of a gable roof truss system, see video:

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