Construction of a frame roof. DIY roof frame

High demands are always placed on load-bearing parts. The main load-bearing elements are walls, foundation and roof.

The roof frame plays very important role. After all, it determines how long the roof will last.

The construction of a rafter system very often causes difficulties for novice craftsmen. This article will help you make a roof frame with your own hands.

There are several types of rafter systems. The choice of one type or another depends on the purpose of the building, the nature of the covering and the type of roof.

The roof frame can be:

  • Metallic. Such a rafter system is usually constructed during industrial construction. This is due, first of all, to high costs. Also, the construction of a metal frame involves large areas and volumes;
  • Wooden. This type of frame is used in the construction of residential buildings with pitched roof. Is the most common type;
  • From reinforced concrete slabs. They act as a load-bearing base during the construction of a flat roof.

Before you start constructing a roof frame with your own hands, you need to decide on the type of rafter system. Acting as a support is the main purpose of any rafter system.

Rafter legs or rafters are wooden beams with a cross-section of 150x50 millimeters. The sheathing is attached on top of them, and then the roofing material.

There are two types of roof frames: layered and suspended. They differ from each other in the way the rafters are connected. Both of these types are used in the construction of private houses. They differ in that in the hanging rafter system they use a mauerlat - a longitudinal beam with a cross-section of 100X100 mm.

The upper part should rest on the central load-bearing wall, and not connect to each other.

The structural and planning characteristics of the building under construction play an important role when choosing the type of rafter system.

It is advisable to use a layered rafter system if the distance between the supporting walls is too large. In this case, an “intermediate” wall is erected in the center of the building, which serves as an additional support. As a result, the rafters will not sag.

Otherwise, a hanging rafter system is usually used. But if the roof frame is made of metal, then additional walls are not needed.

Installation features

When designing a rafter system, the following points should be taken into account:

  1. If the climate in your area is humid, then it is better to choose a roofing material that has the best water resistance;
  2. It is necessary to ensure ventilation of the attic space. If this is not done, then after some time the load-bearing elements of the structure will fail;
  3. The structure must withstand not only the own weight of the roof and its elements. It must withstand a layer of snow, fallen leaves, and also withstand the pressure created by the wind;

Required materials and tools

When constructing a roof frame with your own hands you will need:

  • Hammer;
  • Drill;
  • Plane;
  • Level;
  • Saw;
  • Wood screws;
  • Roulette;
  • Gloves;
  • Brackets;
  • Fire retardants;
  • Staples;
  • Antiseptics for wood;
  • Beam with a section of 150×50 mm (for rafters);
  • Studs 8 mm and 10 mm (for rafters);
  • Beam with a section of 100×100 mm (for Mauerlat);
  • Mounting pins (for Mauerlat);
  • Slats with a cross section of 40×40 mm (for lathing).

Wooden structural elements must be treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant. This will extend the life of the structure and also reduce the risk of fire to a minimum.

Roof frame with two slopes

You need to start installing the frame after:

  • all tools are prepared;
  • the necessary materials have been purchased;
  • processed wooden elements antiseptics and fire retardants.

Laying the Mauerlat is initial stage frame construction gable roof. distributes and transfers the load from the rafters to load-bearing walls.

It is important to note that wood can draw moisture from concrete base, after which it will crumble. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to lay several layers of roofing material under the beams.

Construction of the rafter system

Installation of the rafter system includes the following steps:

  • Determine the distance between the rafter legs. It is usually 80 - 90 centimeters. This distance corresponds to the dimensions of the sheathing beam;
  • We make holes in the mauerlat to secure the rafters;
  • Construction of the roof frame usually begins at the gable of the building. It is necessary to install end rafters at both edges of the roof. After this, we stretch the cord between their skates. This cord will help to align the intermediate elements evenly;
  • We fix all the rafter legs on the mauerlat using steel brackets and brackets. The protrusion of the rafters beyond the perimeter of the building should be approximately 40 centimeters.
  • To fix the lower part of the rafters, you need to use a strap that rests on the Mauerlat. If the rafter is not long enough, then it needs to be increased. To do this, you should place another beam on the rafter with an overlap of at least 100 centimeters. Such a large overlap is necessary so that the roof does not lose its rigidity;
  • It is necessary to install additional ties between the rafters if the roof frame has a six-meter span. They are attached between the supporting rafters;
  • After all the rafters have been installed, we proceed to fixing the rafters in a strictly vertical position. For these purposes they use ridge beam. It is mounted at the top of the roof frame;
  • When using soft roofing materials you need to do a continuous sheathing. To do this, use moisture-resistant plywood or OSB boards. If the roof is made of metal tiles, slate, or corrugated sheets, then the sheathing should be thinned. To increase the strength of the roof, regardless of the roofing material used, a continuous sheathing is made near the ridge part.

Features of roof frame construction

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The use of a metal rafter system is most appropriate in industrial and public construction, for example, in the construction of workshops, storage facilities, supermarkets, swimming pools, train stations. Housing construction does not justify the purchase of such building materials, which are also difficult to transport.

From wooden structures metal carcass for the roof it is resistant to heavy loads, which helps to increase the rigidity and reliability of the entire roofing pie of the building.

If the length of the roof slope exceeds 10 m, then it is recommended to install the rafters from metal, which should be supplemented with the same purlins, ridge supports and Mauerlat.

How do metal rafters differ from other systems?

In construction, a combination of rafter systems is allowed, where both wood and metal will be used. It should be remembered that places where the metal roof frame is sheathed with wood can cause the formation of condensation, which leads to gradual rotting of the wood. To avoid such problems, all wooden elements are impregnated with a special composition and then insulated with roofing felt.


  • For insulation metal base it should be sheathed either from below or from above.
  • The insulation is laid on metal parts with a small gap so that during condensation, moisture does not penetrate into the insulation material.
  • When installing insulation under the rafters, the remaining roofing parts are fastened on top of it. Thanks to this design, heat is reliably retained in the attic.
  • A metal roof frame will last a very long time; in addition, the use of rafters of about 30 m in length is allowed.

The use of lightweight profiles for the construction of modern buildings

On this moment In construction, new technologies are being used that are aimed at constructing light truss structures in residential buildings.


These include galvanized cold-formed profiles, its advantages are:

  • resistance to destruction processes, including rotting and damage from insects;
  • high fire safety;
  • doesn't need constant antiseptic treatment;
  • such a metal roof frame is constructed, regardless of the time of year;
  • compliance of purchased parts with the specified dimensions, which reduces the amount of waste;
  • ease of installation - the work is performed with a drill and screwdriver;
  • the collapsible design kit allows it to be transported without expensive lifting equipment.

Thanks to similar rafters, significantly different from profile metal elements With a metal thickness of less than 2.5 mm, developers can save on the purchase of material.


Lightweight design does not increase the load on load-bearing walls and foundations, which also affects the reduction of the construction budget. Any craftsman with basic skills in such installation can assemble a gable roof frame. The work will not be particularly difficult also because all drawings of parts and their markings are thoroughly checked in production.

Along with the listed advantages, lightweight rafter structures still have a drawback - they act as a conductor of cold, which means they are difficult to insulate. Also, condensation often appears on them, which has a destructive effect on the roofing cake. Based on this, it is still better to build residential buildings from wood.

Installation of a metal frame, watch the video:

How to properly install a frame

A metal frame for the roof is assembled from I-beams, angles, channels, which are made of profiled metal. The shape of these parts can be triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular or any other.

Being a construction High Quality, in particular, durable and practical for covering large spans, the frame has significant drawback– difficult to transport due to its heavy weight. The presence of this factor affects the need to order lifting mechanisms. Taken together, all the work done leads to an increase in cost, so metal rafters are very rarely seen in private construction.


  • With help metal rafters These trusses easily cover spans of about 50 m.
  • In most cases, the installation of such elements is carried out on top of rectangular trusses.
  • In industrial premises, the installation of rafter trusses is carried out with technological equipment, for example with beam cranes or overhead cranes.
  • Metal frame being laid hipped roof or any other roof supported from reinforced concrete columns, metal or concrete reinforced pads fixed to brick wall(read: " "). For this support part The steel truss is reinforced with a steel plate, and the reinforced concrete pads are reinforced with a metal embedded plate. The system is shown in more detail in the photo.
  • To make metal rafter assemblies, the individual parts are connected using steel gussets, which are welded or bolted.

Developers engaged in private housing construction still cannot do without metal rafter structures, the only difference is that they are based on hot-rolled bent pipes with round, square or rectangular profile. Thanks to such rafters, the entire system is much lighter, while its load-bearing capacity remains the same. The explanation for the low weight of the pipes is the use of steel no thicker than 5 mm in production, which is several times thinner than the metal for other profile products.

The main element of the roof structure is the frame, since it bears a large mechanical load. For this reason, increased demands are placed on it regarding reliability, strength and durability.

Even when using the highest quality building materials for roofing, if the roof frame is made in violation of technology, the constructed structure will quickly become unusable.

You can build the frame part of a small house yourself, but subject to correct calculations, mastery of construction skills and appropriate theoretical training. As a result, you will be able to save a considerable amount. If you still decide to use the services of professional roofers, then the owner of the house will be able to keep control over the process of creating the frame.

The article describes the arrangement of the most common type of roof - gable. If the technology for constructing such a roof frame has been mastered, then other structures (for example, broken, hipped) can be completed without difficulty.

Features of selecting a rafter system option

All rafter systems consist of rafter legs, which need to be connected in pairs at the top. Below, these main frame elements are combined with a screed - it can also become the basis for an interfloor attic floor. But there are some peculiarities in the design of the systems.

The fact is that roof frames are equipped in one of two types:

  • layered;
  • hanging.

Both of these rafter systems have found application in private residential construction.


As a rule, the specific choice depends on the design structure of the building. When the gap between the load-bearing walls is no more than 6 meters, installation of a rafter system is allowed hanging type. Its peculiarity is that the legs of the rafters rest only on the side walls.

The layered structure is more reliable and is used at the above-mentioned distance, which exceeds 6 meters, and when the room has a load-bearing wall built in the center of the house. In this case, you can abandon the sagging option if you install additional support.

Roof frame materials

To build the frame part of a gable roof, you will first need rafters. They will presumably be made from wood. You can build a roof frame from boards with a section of 50x150 millimeters or from timber with a section of 150x150 millimeters. It is desirable that this be material coniferous species, prepared in winter time, and the resin was not drained from it first.

The presence of resinous substances in wood, which are a natural antiseptic, significantly extends its service life. The storage conditions of materials and the degree of drying are of no small importance.

When inspecting beams and boards, pay attention to the presence of defects - they could be cracks, delaminations, the presence of traces of damage from insects - wood borers. If these shortcomings are detected, the rejected boards and beams are not used.

In addition to lumber, reinforced concrete concrete and a metal channel are used to construct the frame, but then the roof turns out to be too heavy and it is impossible to build it yourself.


In addition to the rafter legs, posts and purlins that make up the system, frame structure includes attic flooring, sheathing and counter-lattice. If attic space it is planned to be used as non-residential, then boards with a cross-section of 50x150 millimeters will be sufficient for the flooring.

When they want to create a residential attic from the attic space, then the ceiling must be made reliable and for these purposes it will be necessary wooden beam, having a cross-section of 150x150 millimeters. It is laid on the Mauerlat and thereby achieves the required strength.

To arrange the sheathing and counter-lattice, timber is used, but it must be thinner. Suitable lumber with a section square shape 40x40 or 50x50 millimeters. Beams of this size are strong enough to support the weight of the roof “pie”. When choosing them, pay attention to straightness, since any deviation leads to difficulties that arise in the process of roofing work.

For the construction of lathing and counter-lattice, you can also purchase a perforated profile made of galvanized metal.


In addition to the above materials you will need:

  1. Threaded metal studs - they are used to secure the Mauerlat, which serves as a support beam.
  2. Brackets and brackets for fixing the rafter legs to the mauerlat.
  3. Fasteners, including studs with a diameter of 8 and 10 millimeters, wood screws, which are needed to connect the rafters.
  4. Galvanized nails.

To install the roof frame, you need standard set tools, including:

  • hammers of different sizes;
  • drill for creating holes;
  • plane;
  • grinder or saw;
  • measuring devices - level, plumb line.

Methods for protecting wood for frames

Before making the roof frame of a house, it is necessary to treat its wooden elements with protective agents against rotting and fire.

For this purpose, all parts that make up the rafters, lathing and ceilings are treated with the following compounds:

  • antipyretics, which reduce the flammability of wood and protect the wooden parts of the roof frame from fire;
  • antiseptics, which are substances capable of destroying bacteria, they prevent the development of putrefactive processes in the material from which the ceilings and rafters are made.


The above-mentioned compositions are applied with a brush, since when using sprayers it is impossible to achieve high-quality and deep impregnation. This is done in several layers.

Some wood preservatives are toxic, so they must be applied outdoors or in a well-ventilated room. In this case, you need to use personal protective equipment.

The frame can be processed after its arrangement is completed. Then the structure is coated with fire-retardant and antibacterial compounds, and special attention is paid to the joints of the beams of the rafter system.

Do-it-yourself Mauerlat installation

The support for the frame of the roof being erected is the mauerlat, installed on the load-bearing walls. His main function consists of transferring and distributing the weight of the roof and various loads on the building envelope. Mauerlat is the basis of almost any rafter system, except in cases where the roof is created on frame house or building from timber. In them, the function of a support beam is performed by the upper beam on the wall.

Typically, it is customary to use timber 100x150 or 150x150 millimeters as a mauerlat. The best option it is considered to be laid “flush” with the inner surface of the load-bearing walls. In this case, rows of bricks need to be laid out outside at a level with the Mauerlat.

Along the perimeter of the building before its installation it is necessary to fill concrete blind area. After the final hardening of the composition, roofing material is laid on this base in several layers so that this material provides a sufficient degree of waterproofing and effectively prevents the absorption of moisture by the wood.


In most cases, the Mauerlat is mounted in accordance with the following technology:

  1. Metal fasteners with a diameter of 10 millimeters or more are inserted into the concrete base at the stage of its construction or later. To do this, holes are drilled in it and cement mortar is used to fix the studs.
  2. Mauerlat from solid timber with a cross section of 150x150 millimeters, they are laid along the blind area and in places where it touches the fasteners, appropriate marks are made. Holes are drilled according to them. The Mauerlat is placed on the studs so that they protrude from the timber by at least 10–15 millimeters.
  3. To fix this element, use nuts, placing a wide, flat washer between them and the beam. If you have a stud welding machine, you can save money. In this case, reinforcing bars are used instead, and the nuts are welded to them.

There is another way to install the Mauerlat, when the timber is replaced with two rows of boards with a cross-section of 50x150 millimeters:

  1. The first row of lumber is placed around the perimeter of the walls and secured with anchor screws that have a countersunk head and a metal sleeve. To make holes in brickwork or concrete, use a hammer drill, having previously drilled the boards with a drill with a standard drill bit.
  2. Another row is placed on top of the first so that the joints of the boards do not coincide. In the corners wood materials put in a “dressing”.
  3. Both rows are connected to each other with 100 mm nails.

The second method of arranging a mauerlat greatly facilitates the movement of lumber to a height, since the boards are much lighter than timber. At the same time, the degree of strength of such a structure will be sufficient, especially when a roof is being erected for frame house, having a relatively light weight.

Arrangement of the rafter system - technology

The next stage of roof construction is the installation of rafters. To facilitate the work process, especially when constructing a roof frame with your own hands, the rafter beams are processed on the ground.

This will make it much more convenient to cut materials according to size, give them the required shape using a template, cut out grooves and drill holes for fasteners. Only then the components for the rafters are moved upstairs and they begin to connect them.


The technology for assembling a frame with a hanging rafter system looks like this:

  1. Grooves are cut into the mauerlat for mounting rafter legs. The gap between these adjacent elements is determined when choosing the type of rafter system, but in any case it should not exceed 150 centimeters, otherwise the structure will not be sufficiently rigid. When it is planned to insulate the roof, then the distance between the rafters should be coordinated with the dimensions of the thermal insulation material. If you lay solid insulation slabs in the free space between the rafter legs, you will not need to waste time adjusting this material.
  2. The installation of rafters begins from the end parts (gables) of the roof. After installing them, a cord is pulled between the ridges and when aligning the intermediate rafters relative to the vertical, it is necessary to focus on it.
  3. The rafter legs are lowered into the grooves. To fix them in the Mauerlat, complex fasteners are used. To do this, the transverse displacement of the elements is limited by a steel bracket, and the longitudinal displacement by a bracket.
  4. During the installation process, you need to take into account that the rafters must extend beyond the perimeter of the building. The optimal size of the protrusion, which is usually called overhang or overhang, is considered to be 40 centimeters. As a result, the walls of the house are protected from water flowing down the roof surface. The overhang can be equipped not only with the help of rafter beams - the length of the rafters is increased by using a thin board, called a “filly”. It is attached to the rafters by means of a spacer (a short piece of board) with nails. The use of an additional board during the construction of a roof overhang is not considered a design flaw; on the contrary, the use of a “filly” makes construction easier and slightly cheaper. At the same time, overhang repair is simplified: if necessary, it is enough to replace one or several “fillies”, rather than the entire rafter beam.
  5. The lower ends of the rafters should be secured with strapping, which is used as a base for the attic floor. The strapping bars rest on the mauerlat.
  6. If you need to increase the beams for the rafters if they are not long enough, two beams are laid in an overlay with an overlap of at least one meter in size. They are secured with studs with a diameter of 8–12 millimeters.
  7. The rafters are connected to each other with pins - they are inserted into pre-prepared holes. To prevent the rafters from rotating around the pin axis, each pair of rafters is secured with two fasteners.
  8. When the width of the roof does not exceed 6 meters, then the hanging rafters are connected with a transverse beam - a tie shaped like the letter “A”. This element is made from boards with a cross-section of 50x100 or 50x150 millimeters, and attached to the rafters with self-tapping screws. You can also install tie-downs consisting of three boards with a cross-section of 30x100 millimeters, which are placed on both sides of the rafters.
  9. The trusses in the upper part are fixed with a longitudinal ridge beam or ridge board.
  10. Additionally, in order to strengthen the upper assembly of the rafters, connect the ridge beam with a tightening using a piece of board. This is done to prevent the tension from bending in case of a large gap between the rafters.

The same method is used to install the roof of a frame house, although there are some minor nuances. After installation of the rafters is completed, installation of the sheathing begins.

How to make a roof sheathing

This roof element comes in two types: solid and sparse. The choice of one depends on the roofing material used.

To build a continuous sheathing, use OSB boards or sheets of moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of 10 millimeters. They are stuffed onto the rafters using a counter-batten. Use continuous sheathing if roll or soft materials are to be installed.


When a thinned sheathing is installed, boards or beams are placed on the rafters at intervals that depend on the size of the roof covering elements. If necessary, save money to create sheathing of this type Instead of using timber, an unedged board is used.

The sparse sheathing is stuffed onto the rafters from top to bottom. To increase the strength of the structure, the first rows from the ridge beam are created without gaps. After completing the construction of the sheathing, you can begin work on thermal insulation of the roof, installation of thermal insulation and laying of the finishing coating.

Choosing a roof type

Before designing a house, its owners must decide whether the second floor will be used for living. The point is that technology frame roof under the second floor has differences, because the living space is located directly under the roof. In this case, there is no need to build the walls of the upper floor and install a roof above it.

Frame roofs for the second floor, in addition to advantages, also have disadvantages, including the inability to install full-fledged window openings, and it’s difficult to make the living space comfortable.

One of the most important stages roof installations - production of a frame for the roof. If you make mistakes in the calculations and during its installation, it will not last long. When constructing residential buildings, the roof frame is most often made of wood. Therefore, many private developers are interested in the question of how to make a reliable wooden roof frame so that it lasts for the longest possible period of time.

In this article

Types of roof frame structures

It should be noted that the roof frame may differ depending on the type of roofing structure, For example:

  1. Frame rafter type - made of lumber, intended for pitched roofs buildings.
  2. Reinforced concrete frame- made from special floor slabs, designed for flat roofing structures.
  3. Metal frame - made from iron beams, used for arranging the roofs of industrial buildings.
  4. Lumber frame- used in private housing construction for gable roofs.

Types of rafter systems

Depending on the type of roof, frames can be arranged in different variations.

To make a truss, a wooden beam with a minimum cross-section of 15x5 cm is used. After securing the individual components of the truss structure to each other and fixing them on the house, the sheathing is attached to the frame.

The structure of the rafter system can be hanging or layered. Both options are used in private housing construction. Their main differences:

  • In case of production hanging system rafters, supporting beams rest against the mauerlat, which is arranged around the perimeter of the house without finishing. It is fixed to the load-bearing walls of the structure, on the outermost masonry on top. Mauerlat is an ordinary timber beam with a section of 100x100 mm. The rafter legs are fixed to each other on top of the truss using a ridge beam.
  • When using the layered version, the rafters on top of the trusses are not fixed to each other. In this case, the trusses rest on columns, the longitudinal center wall of the structure.

When choosing a design option for a rafter system, the dimensions of the building are of great importance.

You need to understand! Hanging rafter structures are used in the construction of roofs of buildings, the external load-bearing walls of which are located at a distance of up to 6 meters from each other. Layered systems can be built if this parameter exceeds 6 meters and there are supporting columns or a central longitudinal wall, which is load-bearing.

Materials, tools for making a frame

Before you start building a roof frame, you need to choose a quality consumables. To arrange the rafter system, wooden beams and edged boards are used. It is recommended to use building materials made from coniferous trees, since it contains natural resin that acts as an antiseptic that prevents wood from rotting. Wooden beams for making a frame must have a cross-section of 15x15 cm, parameters edged boards- 5x15 cm.

It is also necessary to remember that truss structure It includes not only rafters - purlins and racks are also installed under them, including attic flooring, sheathing, and counter-lattice. If attic space will be used as a warehouse, and there are no plans to turn it into a living space in the future, then 5x15 cm boards will be enough to cover the attic. But if the attic is being built, then you need to use timber with a section of 15x15 cm.

For the manufacture of sheathing and counter-lattice, timber with a cross-section of 4x4 cm is perfect. This building material can withstand the load of any roofing structure.

Necessary construction tools

  • Staples, brackets necessary for attaching rafters to the support beam.
  • Special metal studs for reliable fixation of the mauerlat (support beam).
  • Additional fastening elements - galvanized nails, studs, self-tapping screws.
  • Yardstick.
  • Plumb line (building level).
  • Saw on wood.
  • Axe.
  • Plane.
  • Electric drill.
  • Hammer.

Rules for installing the Mauerlat

It is necessary to understand that the Mauerlat is the main supporting structure for both the roof frame itself and the entire roofing system. It is the Mauerlat that will fully accept external loads on the roof and distribute them evenly between the load-bearing walls of the building.

This makes it possible to significantly extend the operational period of the entire structure, because in the absence of such timber, roofing loads will destroy the walls in certain areas. We can confidently say that the Mauerlat is a key supporting component of any rafter structure.

There is no need to arrange a mauerlat when logs and wooden beams are used as rafters, the outermost row of which performs these functions.

  • The described supporting component of the rafter system is mounted at the level of the walls with inside. This makes it possible to significantly simplify further Finishing work inside the building.
  • WITH outside the supporting element is covered with a metal strip and brickwork. This makes it possible to protect lumber from the adverse effects of the natural environment.
  • The top row of building blocks or brickwork requires the construction of a high-quality concrete blind area, which is subsequently covered with dense roofing material in several layers or a bitumen mixture. Roofing material will prevent moisture absorbed by the walls of the building from entering the wooden support beam.
  • The most reliable and simplest option is to attach the Mauerlat to the load-bearing walls of the building using specialized metal pins. Holes of a specified diameter are made in the building block or brickwork, then metal fastening pins are lowered into them (they are made from ordinary metal reinforcement). Next, a support beam is placed on the inserted studs, and the points of the holes that also need to be made in the beam are marked. The length of the stud is taken such that the reinforcing bar, after installing the Mauerlat, protrudes beyond the timber by at least 1.5 cm.
  • It is necessary to make threads at the ends of the reinforcing bars for final fixation of the support with nuts and washers.

The procedure for securing the support can be significantly accelerated using a standard welding device.

Arrangement of the rafter frame

The roof frame with your own hands should be made exclusively from dried building materials so that the wood does not subsequently become deformed.

  • The structure of the truss must include two rafter legs, respectively, connecting ties to fix their lower part. Bolts and anchor components are used to secure the tie to the rafter legs. The required number of trusses is attached to the Mauerlat. For their fastening it is used simple technique, which is as follows. You need to make grooves in the support correct form appropriate quantity. Next, using simple manipulations, rafters are inserted into the cutouts. Distance between individuals roof trusses is selected based on the exact parameters of the roof, based on the size of the building. As practice shows, the distance between the rafters is usually no more than one meter. It is worth noting that for some roof frames Vertical rafters are used. Similar elements are used for arranging high roof structures with a vertical parameter of three meters.
  • The wooden lathing structure reliably connects the components of the rafter frame. But before installing it, it is necessary to ensure the stability of the trusses. For this purpose, a ridge beam is provided at the top of the structure. Temporary strapping is performed at the bottom of the structure, and after installing the sheathing boards (slats), it is removed. Lathing is of great importance not only when installing the roof covering, it is also necessary for the high-quality connection of all structural elements in the manufacture of the roof frame.
  • Lathing structures can be of a continuous or intermediate type in their design. The lathing option is selected depending on the type of roofing used building material. An intermediate version of the lathing is used when the roof covering is sheet building materials. In this case, the established distance is maintained between the slats.
  • When using a soft roof to cover the roof of a house, the sheathing is continuous, since only on such a base is it possible to lay roofing material at a high-quality level, and therefore provide the roof with a longer service life. Exactly for soft tiles fits perfectly solid option lathing, and on the intermediate lathing structure soft roof will hang under the roof and will quickly fail as a result of poor-quality operation.

Important to remember! Wood is a flammable material and is susceptible to insects and fungi. To provide reliable protection from such unfavorable factors, all wooden elements of the roof structure are pre-treated with special antiseptics. Fire retardants are used to prevent wood fires. All these measures will significantly increase the service life of the roof frame.

The roof of a frame house can have from one to several slopes, and complex roofs more interesting and provide more options for planning attics. But for the lungs frame houses A gable roof is considered optimal - both in the economic aspect and from the point of view of the ability to do the work yourself. Installing gable roofs will not require complex work on constructing valleys; there is only one ridge - this is also a plus for doing it yourself. Private builders are building houses for permanent residence And country houses based on post-beam wooden frame, from the foundation to the roof with your own hands. Attic beams and roof structures are carried out after ensuring complete stability to the load-bearing wall frame. The attic floor beams are fixed exactly to the wall frame posts. Thick boards impregnated with an antiseptic and fire-retardant composition are usually used for the attic beams of a frame house. The boards are mounted on the end, with preliminary cuts made to a third of the width. The depth of the cut corresponds to the similar dimensions of the beams or boards of the upper strapping belt of the frame.

Construction of a roof frame, attic flooring of a frame house

Fasten the beams metal corners– one side of the corner is connected to the framing beam, the other to the attic. Fastening angles are installed on both sides of the beams. Next, they begin to install the rafter system of the frame house. In order to work on the floor, temporary flooring is first made over the beams for safe movement during work. Assembly of rafter elements into frames - rafter pair - is preferable at the bottom with subsequent lifting of the finished rafter element. This method of assembly gives an advantage in speed and convenience - the rafter pair will need to be installed with vertical and horizontal alignment and secured on the upper strapping belt or along beam floor. Working alone, it is impossible to lift large elements upstairs, even using small-scale mechanization, so work in the attic and roof of a frame house is usually carried out by a team of at least two people.

Attaching rafter legs is possible using various methods. The angle of inclination of the roof dictates the method of fastening and the use of fastening elements, of which there are many, both for rigid fastening and with the possibility of slight freedom - in cases where shrinkage of the structure is possible. The main method of fastening the rafters of a frame house is to install the boards on top harnesses with preliminary cutting of the ends of the rafter legs at certain angles, fasteners are made on special corners.

Options for fastening rafter legs by cutting grooves and further installation and fastening to a strapping beam are also used. It is also possible to attach the rafters to the projections of the floor beams - on both sides of the roof.

The fastening method, when the rafter legs are screwed to the floor beams, requires precise adjustment and cutting of the rafter boards at an angle, and the beams must extend 30 - 50 cm beyond the wall contour in advance.

The rafter legs are fastened at the ridge level using bolts and wide washers, using metal or wooden overhead elements. A very simple way to fasten the rafters together along the ridge is to screw the rafter boards to a common ridge element, used this method for small outbuildings, roofs of country houses.

The rafter system can only have one tightening, which gives overall rigidity to the entire roof frame. If the roof slope has big size, then additionally, rack-mount side elements, strut and middle parts are installed to ensure the roof’s reliability and strength. The choice of roof elements is made depending on the thickness and size of all parts frame system, which in turn depends on the material and weight of the roofing, as well as wind and snow loads by area of ​​the area. Before you start roofing decking, in some cases, the roof gables are sheathed with plywood sheets or clapboard, but this part of the work can be done after laying the roofing material.

Roof of a frame house

The rafter system is securely covered with a wind and moisture protective membrane, which is laid perpendicular to the axes of the rafter legs. Installation of the membrane begins from below - from the eaves. The membrane films are laid with an overlap of at least 150 mm, and the strips are connected with waterproof construction tape. The roof of a frame house is usually ventilated, with a vapor barrier layer and protective membranes. The film membranes are attached to the rafter boards using staplers, then a counter batten measuring 30*50 mm is attached to the rafters on top of the film to provide a ventilation gap between the membrane and the roofing.

The next step is the lathing on which the roofing will be installed. Various types of sheathing are used for frame houses: solid ones made of plywood sheets or OSB, boards with a tight fit - this is the case of choosing soft roofing materials that require an even and dense solid base. If the roofing covering is chosen to be sheet or piece, then the sheathing is made sparsely, from bars with a cross-section of 50*50 mm, with a calculated pitch depending on the type and dimensions roofing coverings and the loads from them.

Roof coverings are installed as the final stage, starting installation in rows always on one side of the roof slope, below the level of the eaves. Sheets of roofing coverings are laid with an overlap of one or two waves in a vertical position and with an overlap of at least 20-25 cm in the horizontal direction of laying. The exact size of the overlap depends on the angle of the roof slope.

One of modern materials, increasingly popular for roofing frame houses are new types of roofing corrugated sheets and metal tiles. Light weight, durability and reliability ensure operation of the building without repairs, are easy to install and do not place significant loads on the frame of the house. one of the most beautiful and sought-after roofing materials - flexible tiles- despite the relatively high prices, it also arouses interest and has some advantages for installing roofs on frame houses.