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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

ROOF STRUCTURES
A roof is anessential part of every building. Its most important function is to provide
protection from weather elements.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The main function of a roof is to enclose space and to protect from the elements the space it
covers. Requirements of an adequate roof include

Strength and stability

Weather resistance
Thermal insulation
Fire resistance
Sound insulation

Strength and stability- Strength and stability are provided by the roof structure and a
major consideration in the design and choice is that of span.
Weather resistaQce- adequate weather resistance is provided by the roof coverings and
the nature of these will affect the form and some details of the roof structures.
Thermal insulation- in most buildings, because of its position, the provision of thermal
insulation in the roof is essential, particularly in the case of single-storey buildings where
the roof area may exceed that of the walls, with consequent greater heat loss.

Fire resistance- the degree of fire resistance which the roof should provide depends upon
the proximity of other buildings and the nature of the building which the roof covers.
Sound insulation- a good roof structure should protect against sound from external forces
such as rain

DESIGN ELEMENTS

The elements in the design of a roof are:

the material
the construction
the durability

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

The ~aterial of a roof may range from banana leaves,

wheaten straw or seagrass to lamininated glass, aluminium sheeting and precast concrete.
In many parts of the world ceramic tiles have been the predominant roofing material for
centuries.
The construction of a roof is determined by its method of support and how the underneath
space is bridged ~u1'd whetrier or not the roof is pitched. The pitch is the ang1e 'afwhich the
roof rises from its lowest to highest point. Most domestic architecture, except in very dry
regions, has roofs that are sloped, or pitched

The durability of a roof is a matter of concern because the roof is often the least accessible
part of a building for purposes of repair and renewal, \vhile its damage or destruction can
have serious effects.

. Types of roof structures

Roofs can be broadly.classified in three ways
.

i) according to the plane of the outer surface, whether horizontal or sloping

ii) According to the structural principles on which their design is based

iii) According to their span

FLAT AND PITCHED ROO.. . :.F-=5

A roof is called a flat roof when the outer surface is horizontal or is inclined atan angle not
.
exceeding 10 degrees and a pitched roof when the outer surface is sloping in one or more
directions at an inclination more than this.
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Climate and materials affect the choice between flat and pit~hed roofs. In hot dry areas the
flat roof is common because it is not exposed to heavy rainfall. In areas of heavy a steeply
sloped roof quickly throws off rain, while areas of heavy snow fall a less steeply pitched
roof (35-40 degrees) preserves a useful insulating blanket of snow during the cold season,
but thaw water to run off freely.
Coverings for roofs consist if unit materials such as tiles and slates lay close to and overlapping each other, and a membrane or sheet materials, such as asphalt, bituminous felt or
metal sheeting, with sealed or specially formed water-tight joints. With the former open
joints necessitate the use of a pitched roof so that the water may run off quickly without
passing through the covering.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY ll

Membrane materials can be used on pitched or.flat roofs. Sheet metals must be laid at a
.
slight slope or fall, and some require the provisi.on of steps or drips at int~rvals down a flat
roo[
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ROOF TERMINOLOGY

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. BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 11

top of rafters
cut and nailed
either side of
ridge

continuous
ridge board

The ridge is the highest central horizontal part of a pitched roof.

Eaves describe the lowest part of a slope from which rainwater drains to a gutter or to
ground.
.

A gable end is the triangular part of a wall that is built up to the underside of roof slopes.
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A valley is the intersection of two slopes at right angles.

A hipped end is formed by the intersection of two, ge~erally similar slopes, at right angles.

PITCHED ROOFS
Usual construction of this roof is triangular frames of sloping rafters tied, trussed, together
with. horizontal ceiling joists, usually with a system of struts and ties.
Strength and stability of this form of roof depends on the depth of triangular frames at mid
span.
.

There is an inherent instability across the slopes ofthis roof, parallel to the ridge, to the
extent that wind pressur~ may cause the frames to rack or fall over. To resist racking the
frames are braced by ga.Ole end walls, hipped ends or by cross bracing of diagonal roof
boarding or braces across slopes.
The smaller the unit of roof covering, such as tile or slate, the greater must be the pitch or
slope of the roof to exclude rain that runs down in the joints between the tiles. Larger units
such as profiled sheets can be laid at a lower pitch than that required for tiles.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

Couple Roof

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Simplest form of pitched roof structure consists of timber rafters pitched up from
supporting walls to a central ridge. This form of pitched roof is termed as a couple roof as
each pair of rafters acts like two arms pinned at the top and the mechanical term for such

an arrangement is a couple

ends of
rafters .
shaped

common

rafters
wallplate
..

roof tends to spread and

overturn walls

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When this form of roof is covered with slates or tiles and subject to wind pressure there is a
positive tendency for the foot of the rafters
to
spread
and
overturn
the
walls
on
which
they

bear. Spreading of rafters is only weakly

. resisted by the nailed connection of rafters to
ridge boa_rd which does not act as an effective tie. Maximum span of this roof is limited to
3.5 m

Closed Couple Roof

Pitched roofs to small buildings such as bungalows are ftamed with rafters pitched to a
central ridge board with horizontal ceiling joists nailed to the side of the foot of each pair of
rafters. Ceiling joists serve the dual purpose of ties to resist the natural tendency of rafters
to spread and as support for ceiling finishes.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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;..-..;.. ridge board

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rafters
wallplate
ceiling joists

nailed to
rafters

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The advantage of the triangular space inside the roof above the ceiling joists is that it will to
some extent provide insulation, provide ~convenient space for water storage cisterns.

Collar Roof
Another form of tied coupled roof is framed with collars joined across pairs of rafters. The
purpose of this arrangement is to extend first floor rooms into the roof space and utilize
unused roof space. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the head of windows formed
in a wall will be some distance below ceiling and give less penetration of light. To provide
normal height windows a form of half dormer window is often used.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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ridge board

collar dovetail

rafters

halved to
rafter

wall plate

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Purlin Roof

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To economize in the section of roof rafters it has been practice to provide intermediate
support up the slope of roofs by the use of purlins. Purlins are horizontal timbers
supported by end walls or struts to internal load-bearing walls to support rafters usually
half way up slopes. By the use of a comparatively substantial timber pur lin an .appreciable
saving in timber rafter size can be effected.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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ridge board ......,._

_..__ division wall

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rafters

corbel to
support
purl in

on

purlin--i

purl in
ceiling

joists

wallplate
~-- load bearing

part1t1on

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To limit spread of fire between houses, no combustible material may be built into division
or separating wall.

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Trussed Rafter Roof

Each pair qf rafters and ceiling joist to a pitched roof was formed as a truss. Trussed rafters
are fabricated from light section, stress graded timbers that are accurately cut in shape,
assembled and joined with galvanized steel c_o nnector plates.

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

tiling battens 19 x 38 mm
for rafters at 400 mm
/centres and 25 x 38 mm
for 540 and 600 mm

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galvanised steel gang-nail
connector plates

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trussed rafters at 400, 450

or 600 mm centres
rafters on wallplate
on cavity wall

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EAVES

Eaves is a general term used to describe the lowest courses of slates or tiles and the timber
supporting them. The eaves of most pitched roofs are made to project some 150 to 300mm
beyond the external face of walls.
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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

.er, ...... . ...

125 x 50 mm

rafters
175 x25 mm
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fascia

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125 x 50 mm
ceiling joists
100 x 75 mm
waflpfate

flush
eaves

Flush eaves
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Projecting eaves are constructed as either open or closed eaves. Open eaves project with
the ends of roof rafters exposed beyond the face of the wall below. They provide protection
for the wall below and rainwater runs off the edge of slopes to the ground or paved surface
below.

rafters

brickwork beam
filling

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ceiling

JOIStS

watlplate

cavity
wall

open eaves
(no soffit board)

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 11

DORMER WINDOWS
Dormer windows are framed in a slope of pitched roofs as a vertical window for daylight to
rooms inside the roof space whereas roof lights are formed as a glazed opening in the slope
of the roof.

projecting

trimming rafter

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head tri mmer

roof

recessed

..

partly

t---:H-f-- studs to
dormer cheek

projecting

trimming

rafter

FLAT ROOFS

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In arid, dry climates closer to the equator, a flat roofhas served as protection from mainly
the overhead sunduring the day and a. roof platform on which to enjoy cooler air at night.
Flat roof coverings include;

metal sheets e.g. lead, copper and zinc

asphalt and bitumen felt

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

rolls staggered

double lock cross

welts staggered

at drip

apron carried
through wall
as dpc

upstand

conical rolls at

70 drip at
3 .. 0 m centres

750 mm centres

firring pieces

joists

copper flat roof

cop1ng
rolls

dpc

drip

sheet lead
felt
rough boarding

rolls spaced at
600 to 800 mm
centres

insulation board
roof joists

lead flat roof

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

rolls staggered
at drip

double lock cross

welts staggered

apron carried

through wall
as dpc
upstand

conical rolls at
750 mm centres

70 drip at
3 . 0 m centres

firring pieces

joists

copper flat roof

copng
rolls

dpc
drip

sheet lead
felt
rough boarding
insulation board

rolls spaced at
600 to 800 mm

roof joists

centres

lead flat roof

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

asphalt finished
over lead strip
nailed to roof

asphalt dressed

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asphalt in two coats to a

=::, : . . finished thickness of 20 mm :#::.,#~
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Flat roof draina"e
Flat roofs should be constructed so that the surface has a slight slope or falls towards
rainwater outlets

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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water outlet
in wall

lead lined

lead shute

gutter

50 x 50 mm
gutter bearer
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lead lined gutter run

out through wall and

cast iron rain

water head

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DAMP PROOFING DETAILS FOR PITCHED ROOFS AND FLAT ROOFS

SKIRTI NG TO
B~JCK

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PARAPET
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Damp-prod cou-soe
Slat.e

a similar cavity doscr

Oamp-procl COU:!o(.' Ia drain intc-rn<lR:y or

. -- C'Oemally a~ spoc irlad

Cavity

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insU ation

Soft metc'll c~ flashing

l~ting block
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150rirn minmm

to minimise the-rmal

Minal !iUrfa<:ad r ooflifl9

t.troogh detail

as. top tsyt:!f

Builti:JP roofing

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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ROOf OUHFi: Cl A.MP1NG R1 NG fYPE

nooting

dr~~:j dCY" m into OIAICC

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Rau1watg pipes may bQ insulate-d

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

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SKfRTlNG TO

BRICK PARAPET

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S.of1 rnetal co ver flas.h ing

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M~al swfacCH!> r<:.ofing a s top

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Buii-op rooling
Board insulation

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY !J

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WElTED OJUP TO EXTERNAl GUTTER

Mmcrat suiaced rodlrg ns

lop layer t!Tough dotaii

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 1/

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SKIRTING 10
- - - - - - - - - - - - Coping

6RK;K PARAPfl

~~~~2::~----------- Damp-proof coo.rsc

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Slacc or sim Jar

cavty clelk"'f

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P.r1l~al

surtacc<1 roofing as lop layer

ttrough detail

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lrruating bbck to mini:nisc cold !J(-ic:J.ge-

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Board lf1sulation

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PIRIPUR lrsulation wiltl I~

vapour control layer

Damp Proof Course --------:--:..:_

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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY II

weather:H:oo; covering

insulation

vapour control layer

boarding

iOists

ceifing optional

ROOF GARDENS

A roof garden is any garden on the roof of a building.

PURPOSES OF ROOF GARDEN

Decorative benefit

May provide food

Temperature control
Hydrological benefits

Architectural enhancement
Habitats or corridors for wildlife~ and
Recreationalopportunities.

ROOF GARDEN DETAIL

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BUILDING.TECHNOLOGY II

lnSitUmlmlm.ion

Vegetotion

Thcumocouplct
C i ,;) HHI Flux Tl'iWlsdx'r

~lttn.SOt

RHs9nsor

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Grow&lg medtum
Fllw M&mbrane -

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Dnamu et --~
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w..te.rpf'Ooflmg Membra~Support Panel

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Vapour Bamor

S:trucwraJ Support - -

Reference Roof

R.ooftop Garden

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