The Secret To Successful Piecework From Hanging Doors To Framing Roofs Is To Break Down A Process Into A Series Of Simple Steps
Synopsis: Framing guru Larry Haun explains how to build a gable roof. As usual, his focus is on production methods that speed construction, such as gang-cutting the birds mouths with a worm-drive saw and dado. Illustrations cover the basics of this simple roof shape.
One of my earliest and fondest memories dates from the 1930s. I remember watching a carpenter laying out rafters, cutting them with a handsaw, and then over the next several days, artfully and precisely constructing a gable roof. His work had a fascinating, almost Zen-like quality to it. In a hundred imperceptible ways, the roof became an extension of the man.
But times change, and the roof that took that carpenter days to build now takes pieceworkers a matter of hours. Since they first appeared on job sites, pieceworkers have given us new tools, ingenious new methods of construction and many efficient shortcuts. But what skilled pieceworkers havent done is sacrifice sound construction principles for the sake of increased production. Quite the opposite is true theyve developed solid construction procedures that allow them to keep up with demand, yet still construct a well-built home.
The secret to successful piecework, from hanging doors to framing roofs, is to break down a process into a series of simple steps. To demonstrate just how easy roof framing can be , Ill describe how to cut and stack a gable roof the way pieceworkers do it.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Gable Roof
When determining the lifespan of a roof, there are many factors to take into account, such as the quality of the installation, materials, weather conditions, and so on. A typical gable roof can last around 30 years on average. But it can last even longer if an adequate supporting framework has been used for the construction of the roof.
Figure A: Dormer Anatomy
The size of the new triple rafters and common rafters will vary with the roof and dormer size and local conditions. Have an architect or structural engineer size them.
Note: Figure A can be downloaded and printed from Additional Information below.
Like any other major remodeling project, your dormer project will progress more smoothly if you work out the details on paper or a full-size layout on your garage floor , before beginning construction. Dormers are complex and not every house is suitable. To make sure the dormers work, we recommend hiring an architect who specializes in residential construction or remodeling. The architect will help you consider issues such as roof slope, interior headroom, exterior appearance, structural strength, roof condition and cost. If the dormer is feasible, the architect will draw up plans that include all the dimensions and special structural details. Use the plans to obtain a building permit from your local building inspections department.
Don’t Miss: How Much For Shingle Roof
By Step Guide How To Build A Tiny House
Would you like to learn more about how to build a gable roof? Are you generally interested in DIY timber structures? Check out the How to build a tiny house book, guide full of useful information, instructions, illustrations and photographs, available to order as print version or electronic book here.
Do you need a building permit? Click HERE
Make A Simple Rafter Jig
If the slope of your dormer roof is the same as your old roof, hold a scrap of plywood against the old roof boards and draw a level line on it. Make a rafter cutting jig by measuring 12 in. along the level line and using a square to draw a perpendicular line up to the roof edge of the board. Cut along these two lines and screw a scrap of 2×2 along the roof edge of the plywood.
Stretch a string across the top of the rafters, aligned with the inside of the side wall, and make a mark where this line intersects the top of the side rafters. Now measure from this point up to the intersection of the ridge board and header to find the length of the valley rafters. Cut them according to Figure C.
Nail up both valley rafters. Use a straightedge to make sure theyre aligned with the tops of the common rafters. Then measure, cut and nail the valley jack rafters every 24 in. on center. Cut valley jack rafters to the same angle as the common rafters, but bevel the bottom cut 45 degrees.
You May Like: Where Do The Screws Go On A Metal Roof
What Is A Gable Roof And Why You Should Consider It
The term gable roof might sound foreign to you but there is a very high probability that you have seen a gable roof before. If you should ask any child and even most adults to draw a house they would draw a house with an A-shaped roof. That roof is what is known as a gable roof. Technically it is defined like this:
A gable or gabled roof has two sloping sides that meet together at a ridge. The two sloping sides that meet create end walls that have a triangular extension, called the gable. It can also be referred to as the A-shaped section of wall that occurs between the two intersecting sloping sides.
- Roofcompare.com
It is important to note that these sides can be of different sizes depending on the property, and larger residential buildings can sometimes have two or more gables to add more structure and depth.
Roof Types: All Roof Styles Explained
by BarrettM | Feb 13, 2020 | Uncategorized |
If you are like most of us, you probably dont think about the type of roof that you have until it needs to be repaired or even replaced.
However, the type or style of roof that you have not only affects the aesthetic, or look and feel, of your house, it can also affect the overall value of the property.
Whats more, the type of roof that you have can also make your home more energy-efficient, more weatherproof, and provide extra storage or even additional living space in the form of an attic.
Do you know what type of roof you currently have or the details of the roofing system on the property you are considering purchasing?
Are you planning on building a home, getting a new roof, or buying a new home anytime soon?
Have you recently experienced a major weather event or a natural disaster like roof hail damage?
All of these questions and more should be considered when you are considering buying a new property, building a home, or replacing and updating the roof on your home.
There are also some other key factors to take into consideration do you want to allow for solar panels or similar energy-efficient or green features?
Do you want the extra living or storage space that comes with a costlier mansard or gambrel roof, or would you prefer something more budget-friendly?
What is the style of the existing property or what does the neighborhood look like ?
Your new roof needs to be harmonious with its surroundings.
Also Check: Travel Trailer Roof Repair Kit
What Is A Dome Roof
Dome roofs are rarely seen in most residential settings, although they may be available in a prefabricated form and could fit into a contemporary design as a detail or even as the main roof.
The inverted bowl shape is striking and memorable.
This type of roof is expensive but very durable, and perfect to use for small additions to a different type of main roof think features like cupolas, gazebos, and crows nests.
Shingles, metal, or even glass will work for a dome roof, but metal requires the least maintenance and is generally considered to be the best choice for most structures.
Gable Roof With Shed Roof Addition
Gable Roof With Front Extention
A typical alteration for an extension to an existing roofing system is to add a shed roof to the gable roof ridge. This hybrid design is a popular solution for property owners looking to extend, as it provides the opportunity for more headroom and space without having to completely alter the structure and aesthetics of the roof.
Also Check: Rv Rubber Roof Repair Kit
Eht Explores Some Basic Roof Framing Techniques From Layout To Installation
Roof framing is one of those carpenter skills that appears quite complicated, and indeed, some roof designs are difficult. Roofs are basically five types: shed, gable, hip, gambrel and mansard. Another common design in the Northeast is the saltbox, which is a gable roof with one longer side. These days cut-ups, or roofs with a lot of valleys, dormers and other features, are increasingly popular. In many cases with purchased house plans, the details of the roof construction, including rafter design, are included. Pre-constructed trusses have also become increasingly popular. They are constructed at a factory to match your building and delivered on site. They do, however, require extra manpower and lifting equipment to install in place. You can also build your own trusses if you have the equipment, or can rent the equipment to install them. Piece-by-piece rafter/roof construction, however, is still the more common construction method for many buildings. Simple roofs, such as a shed or the common gable, are fairly easy to construct, even without plans, if you understand the basics and a little geometry.
Roofs are framed in five basic designs: shed, gable, hip, gambrel and mansard. The gable is the most common, and it can be complicated with multiple roof lines, including valleys and dormers.
How To Build A Gable Porch Roof On Your Own In 7 Steps
By: Author Ryan M.
The gable porch roof is a popular design for homes, and built on your own gable porch roof in 7 steps.
This post will show you how to set up the foundation, frame the exterior walls, attach the rafters to the top of each wall, install shingles or siding material on the roofs exterior surface, add gutters and downspouts at various points along its perimeter.
Finally well talk about how to maintain your new home improvement project by periodically checking for signs of wear and tear.
Also Check: Large Overhang Roof
Laying Out The Ridge Board
The ridge board should be one size bigger than the common rafters to achieve full bearing, 2 x 4 rafters = 2 x 6 ridge board etc. Always use nice straight lumber for the ridge board this will make installing the rafters easier and also make for a straighter ridge line.
To make it easier on the carpenters framing the roof the ridge board should be laid out before being handed up. When framing houses any work that can be performed with your feet flat on the ground should be done, it is far more efficient, safer, and accurate that way.
Before laying out the ridge board make sure it is square on both ends. Mark out the gable end overhang and rip the ridge board down to slightly less than the width of the fascia so it won’t interfere with the soffit when it is applied. The gable end rafter should be laid out on the inside of the end wall so the gable studs can be nailed to it without notching the studs to fit.
Lay out the rest of the rafters to mirror the lay out of the ceiling joists so the rafters can be nailed along the side. If the building is longer than one section of ridge board you will need to splice another on the end.
I usually use a 14 1/2″ block or piece of OSB, take care not to nail it on where a rafter will go. It must also be held down from the top of the ridge so as not to stick up above the rafters.
Figure C: Rafter Cuts
Construct a simple jig for marking the common rafters. For the two valley rafters, use the same dimension for the plumb side but extend the level side to 17 in. . The top plumb cut on valley rafters has a 45-degree bevel on each side. The bottom plumb cut has a single 45-degree bevel.
You dont have to understand all the technicalities of rafter cutting to build the dormer roof. Make the full-scale drawing to the dimensions and roof slope in your plan and use it to measure the exact height of the ridge and the lengths and angles on the common rafters. If the slope of your dormer roof is the same as that of the old roof, you can use the roof jig technique shown to measure the slope and transfer it to the new rafters.
Measure the length of the valley rafters and cut them using Figure C as an angle guide. Dont worry if you miscut a few boards. You can use them later for the shorter valley jack rafters .
Attach the rafters to the ridge by nailing through the ridge into the rafter with three 16d nails. Then toenail the opposing rafter to the ridge with six 8d common nails, three on each side. Use three 8d toenails to attach the rafter to the wall plate. Ask your building inspector whether you need additional seismic and high wind anchors.
Don’t Miss: How To Extend A Metal Roof Overhang
The Roof Pitch On A Gable Roof Is Important
Now, one other important factor to remember is that you never, never want the pitch of your roof to be less then 15°, unless you plan on going with a metal roof. Shingles at any slope less than this will leak, and leak bad. Water, in the form of rain or melting ice and snow will very easily work its way up under the shingles and down through your roof sheeting, causing much damage. Given the fact that A=6′ and lets say you want 5′ from the top of your shed walls to your roof peak . This gives us 5′ for the loft distance, or B
So, A=6′ and B=5′, so A + B = c 36 + 25 = C
C = 61
.81 x 12 = 9.72 or 9 3/4
So, c= 7′ 9 3/4
So now we know all the values of A,B, and C.
Are Gable Roofs Expensive
Due to their rather simple design, gable roofs are often less expensive than other roof styles. The initial construction cost is lower, and because of the steep slope and reduced risk of water damage, you wont have to worry about maintenance costs in the future.31 juil. 2019
Don’t Miss: Shed With Overhang Roof
How To Determine Roof Pitch
You will also need to know the desired pitch of the roof. Pitch is the slope or angle from the wall plate to the roof ridge line. Pitch can vary a great deal, from a shallow slope up to a very steep pitch. Pitch for a gable roof, the most common, is generally 1/4 or 1/3 which is equal to 1/4 or 1/3 the total span of the building, not counting any overhang. Pitch also has its own denotation, determined by the rise in inches in 12 inches. For instance a 4/12 pitch denotes a roof rising 4 inches for each 12 inches. Having the correct pitch is important. In many instances, a certain pitch may be necessary or even required by local codes. Pitch is determined by snow loads, other weather factors and the covering to be applied to the roof. For those in the northern parts of the country, an 8 in 12 pitch, or more, is commonly used to keep excessive snow loads off the roof. Those in the southern climates may utilize lower pitches. The minimum pitch, however, that can be used with many roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or corrugated metal is 3 in 12 . For lower pitches, a built-up or continuous roll roofing must be applied to keep the roof waterproof.
Pitch is the amount of angle or slope the roof has. This is denoted two ways, a 1/3 or 1/4 pitch in fractions, and a 6/12 pitch in inches, which means the roof rises 6 inches for each 12 inches of run. A framing square is traditionally used for laying out the roof and determining pitch.
Wooden Crate Pediments And Roofing
This design is nothing more than the plane of the whole ramp. It is made from tesa up to 25 mm thick. The boards are nailed to the rafters parallel to the ridge run, starting from the bottom. Soft roof types require a continuous lathing or laying a layer of plywood or other sheet material on top of it. A vapor barrier and a heater, if necessary, are also attached to the crate.
Pediments are called side triangles formed by rafter legs and a side wall or puff. They must be covered with boards or other materials. Openings for windows or doors can be cut into them.
The roof is the last top layer of the roof, which is designed to protect the entire structure from precipitation and wind. It is mounted on a crate over a vapor barrier or insulation. A roof is made from various roofing materials. In addition to these basic elements of the roof, there are many small ones: ridge and wind boards, cornice boards and drainage systems. To build a gable roof with your own hands, you need to study the step-by-step instructions for this process.
Read Also: Solar Shingles Cost Per Square Foot
History Of Gable Roofing
Gable roofs date back to the early ancient Greek times where they were used in temples. It passed gabled roof as considered as an architectural staplein northern Europe and America ever since. A building that faces the street with its gable is called a front-gabled building.
On the other hand, a side-gabled building has its ridge parallel to the street and faces it with its cullis or gutter. In the medieval gothic period, front-gabled buildings were considered the norm in German city streets.
In the Renaissance period, between the 14th and 17th centuries, side-gabled buildings became popular and were influenced by Italian architecture. Between the early 19th century and 1920, front-gabled houses became popular in America.
