Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

ARH1207 Construction Technology I

Roof
A roof is the uppermost part of a building whose main function is to enclose the space and to protect the
same from the effects of weather elements such as rain, wind, sun, heat and snow. A good roof is just as
essential as a safe foundation. As a well-designed foundation secures the building against destruction
starting at the bottom, similarly a good roof affords protection for the building itself and what the building
contains and prevents deterioration starting from the top. To fulfil this main function efficiently, the roof
should satisfy the following functional requirements in its design and construction.

1. Strength and stability: The roof structure should be strong and stable enough to take
up the anticipated loads safely.
2. Weather resistance: The roof covering should have adequate resistance to resist the
effects of weather elements such as wind, rain, sun and snow.
3. Heat insulation: The roofs should provide adequate insulation against heat,
particularly in the case of single-storeyed buildings where the roof area may exceed
that of walls with a consequent greater heat loss.
4. Sound insulation: The roof construction for all buildings should provide adequate
degree of insulation against sound from external sources.
5. Fire resistance: The roof should offer an adequate degree of fire resistance in order
to give protection against the spread of fire from any adjacent building and to prevent
early collapse of the roof. The form of construction should also be such that the
spread of fire from its source to other parts of the building by way of roof cannot
occur.

The roofs should be well designed and constructed to meet the requirements of different
climates and the covering materials available. From experience it is found that pitched or
sloping roofs are very suitable in coastal regions where rainfall is heavy and flat roofs are
suitable in plains where rainfall is low and temperatures are high.
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

The roofs may be classified as follows:

1. Pitched or sloping roofs

2. Flat roofs
3. Shell roofs
4. Domes

TECHNICAL TERMS

1. Shed roof or lean to roof: This type of roof slopes in one direction only and is used for
smaller spans.
2. Gable roof: This roof slopes in two directions so that the end formed by the
intersection of the slopes is a vertical triangle.
3. Hip roof: This roof slopes in four directions such that the end formed by intersection
of slopes is a sloped triangle.
4. Gambrel roof: This roof like the gable roof slopes in two directions but there is a
break in the slope on each side.
5. Mansard roof: This roof like the hip roof also slopes in four directions but there is a
break in slopes.
6. Ridge: It is an apex line of a sloping roof.
7. Ridge piece or ridge beam or ridge board: This is a wooden piece or board, which
runs horizontally at the apex (highest point on the roof). The common rafters are
fixed to this piece and are supported by it.
8. Common rafters or spans: These are inclined wooden members supporting the
battens or boarding to support roof covering. They run from a ridge to the eaves
(edges). They are normally spaced at 30–45 cm centre to centre depending upon the
roof covering material.
9. Hip: It is the line produced when two roof surfaces intersect to form an external
angle, which exceeds 180°. Hipped end is a portion of the roof between two hips.
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

10. Jack rafters: These are common rafters shorter in length, which run from a hip to the
eaves or from a ridge to a valley. A hip or valley is formed by the meeting of jack
rafters.
11. Valley rafters: These are sloping rafters which run diagonally from ridge to the eaves
for supporting valley gutters. They receive the ends of the purlins and ends of jack
rafters on both sides.
12. Valley: A valley is the reverse of a hip. It is formed by the intersection of two roof
surfaces having an external angle, which is less than 180°.
13. Eaves (edges): These are the lower edges of the inclined or pitched roof from which
the rainwater from the roof surface drops down. Normally, gutters are fixed along the
eaves to collect and drain the rainwater.
14. Eaves board: This is a wooden board fixed to the feet of the common rafters at eaves.
The ends of the lower most roof covering material rest upon it. The eaves gutter can
also be secured against it. Normally, eaves board is 15–20 cm wide and 20–25 mm
thick.
15. Barge boards: These are wooden planks on boards fixed on the gable end of a roof.
They connect the ends of ridges, purlins and wall plates.
16. Battens: These are thin strips of wood which are fixed on the common rafters or on
the top of ceiling boards to support the roofing materials.
17. Cleats: These are small blocks of wood or steel that are fixed on the principal rafters
to support the purlins.
18. Purlins: These are horizontal wooden or steel members laid on principal rafters on
wall to wall to support common rafters of a roof when the span is large.
19. Wall plates: These are long wooden members, which are embedded from the sides
and bottom in masonry on top of walls, almost at the centres of their thickness. This
is essential to connect the walls to the roof. The feet of the common rafters are fixed
to the wall plates by means of simple notching and nails.
20. Truss: A roof truss is a framework of triangles designed to support the roof covering
or ceiling over rooms. The use of interior columns is avoided.
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

21. Span: A span or clear span is the clear horizontal distance between the internal faces
of wall or supports. The effective span is the horizontal distance between the centres
of walls or supports.
22. Rise: This is the vertical height measured from the lowest to the highest points. In the
case of pitched roof it is the vertical distance between the wall plate and the top of
the ridge.

TYPES OF PITCHED ROOF

Throughout the past couple hundred years the styles of roofs vary from area to area. The
varying designs, styles, and shapes of roofs exist and have been created to accommodate the
needs of the structure they are covering. Some of the most primary needs that a structure
demands from a roof are protection from the weather, overall design compatibility with the
existing structure, and housing of internal elements such as piping, electrical wiring, ventilation,
insulation.

Lean to roof
This is the simplest type of pitched roof and consists of rafters that slope in one direction only.
Generally, it is used to cover the verandah of a building and projects from the main wall of the
building. At the upper ends the rafters are fixed by nails to the wooden wall plates, which are
placed on the corbel of the main wall. The lower ends of the rafters are notched and nailed to
the wooden post plate. The post plate is of timber section, which runs parallel to the wall and is
supported on the intermediate columns or posts. Battens are placed and fixed over the rafters
and it is finally covered by suitable roof covering materials. It is suitable for spans up to 2.5 m

Gable Roof
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

The gable is roof is typically triangular, forming an inverted/upside ‘V’ shape. It is basically
made of two sides with a middle gap called a gable. While they are some of the simplest when
it comes to roof construction and provide room for a spacious attic, they are not ideal for places
with high, strong winds. When not well fastened, the roof can easily be blown off by the wind.
Gable roofs are not ideal for areas with high wind because they easily can catch the wind much
like a sail would.

Hip Roof

hip roof is made of four or more sloping sides/planes and can be square or rectangular. The
planes are designed to slope downwards from the ridge at the top, at an angle determined by
the size of the house. Function wise, they are good for areas of high wind and strong storms.
They are noted for their strength, stability and shade-giving eaves but are also more complex
and expensive to construct, courtesy of their complicated truss and gable structure. Variations
include the cross and open hip roofs.

Hip roofs are a common residential style roof. This type of roof is more difficult to construct
when compared to flat roofs and gable roofs because they have a more complicated truss and
rafter structure.

Gambrel Roof
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

Similar to both the gable and mansard roofs in design, the gambrel roof is made of two planes
sloping downward from a top ridge. Much like the mansard, one plane of the roof has a distinct
lower pitch than the other. More living space and lower cost of construction are the main
benefits, while their limited strength is their main downside. They are not recommended in
areas of high winds and heavy snowfall.

The best way to describe a gambrel roof is by saying barn roof. The gambrel style roof is most
commonly used on barns. However, it is also used in residential construction. This type of roof
has the benefit of providing a good amount of space in the attic. In fact, it provides so much
extra space that it is often turned into bedrooms or other living areas.

Butterfly Roof
Similar to both the gable and mansard roofs in design, the gambrel roof is made of two planes sloping
downward from a top ridge. Much like the mansard, one plane of the roof has a distinct lower pitch than
the other. More living space and lower cost of construction are the main benefits, while their limited
strength is their main downside. They are not recommended in areas of high winds and heavy snowfall.

The best way to describe a gambrel roof is by saying barn roof. The gambrel style roof is most commonly
used on barns. However, it is also used in residential construction. This type of roof has the benefit of
providing a good amount of space in the attic. In fact, it provides so much extra space that it is often
turned into bedrooms or other living areas.

Mansard Roof
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

The mansard roof is a four-sided roof with a double slope on each side. Originally used in
France, the lower slope on each side is steeper than the upper, with the sides being flat or
curved. Its advantages include added living space in the attic and beauty. On the downside,
they are not ideal for areas that receive heavy snowfall, especially when lowly pitched, and can
be expensive to construct. The mansard roof is a french design and is more difficult to construct
than the hip or gable roof.

FLAT ROOFS

A roof which is approximately flat is called a flat roof. It is becoming more popular with the
introduction of suitable building materials. It may be constructed in reinforced cement concrete
(RCC), flag stone supported on rolled steel joist, bricks, concrete or tiled arches. This roof is
provided with a slight slope in one direction to drain off the rainwater easily. The construction
of flat roofs is similar to the construction of floors except that the top surface is protected
against rainwater.

Advantages of flat roof

1. The roof can be used as a terrace for playing or for sleeping or for other domestic
purposes.
2. The construction and maintenance of the flat roof is simpler.
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

3. It provides better architectural appearance to the building.

4. It is easier to make the flat roof fire resistant.
5. It possesses good insulating properties.
6. It avoids the need for a false ceiling.
7. The construction work of upper floors can be readily taken up in the case of flat roof,
whereas in the case of pitched roof the entire roof has to be dismantled before
construction.
8. Pitched roof needs much more area of roofing material than flat roofs.

Disadvantages of flat roof

1. A flat roof cannot be used for long spans without using columns and beams.
2. In areas of heavy rainfall, flat roofs are not suitable.
3. The initial cost is more.
4. Due to greater variations in the temperature cracks sometimes develop on the
surfaces of the roof, which is difficult to repair.
5. The speed of construction is slower than that of a pitched roof.
6. If proper slope is not provided on the roof to drain off the rainwater, pockets of water
are formed on the surface of the roof, which leads to leakage in the roof.

ROOF COVERING MATERIALS

Roof covering material provides protection to the roof and the structure. It prevents rainwater,
moisture, heat, dust, etc. from entering into the building from top. The roof covering does not
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

share load in the building. It is rigidly fixed to the roofing structure with various types of fittings
and fixtures. The various types of roof covering materials used include the following.

Corrugated Galvanized sheets

These are used for the roof coverings of workshops, factories and temporary sheds. Corrugated
Galvanized sheets are available in various sizes. Generally 22 gauge sheets are used. End lap of
6 inches and side lap of two corrugations are provided at the time of fixing the Corrugated
Galvanized sheets at the top of the roof. It is light and simple to fix. The only disadvantage with
the use of these sheets for roof covering is that during summer season, the rooms under the
roof are heated too much. To protect against the sun, sometimes a layer of ordinary tiles are
provided at the top of Corrugated Galvanized sheeting.

Thatch covering

This form of covering is extensively used in sheds, low-cost houses and village buildings. It is
considered suitable for rural areas because it forms the cheapest and the lightest material as a
roof covering.

The frame work for supporting the thatch consists of round bamboo rafters spaced at 30 cm
and tied with split bamboos or bamboo reapers laid at right angles to the rafters. The thatch is
tightly secured to the framework or battens with the help of ropes or twines dipped in tar.
Sometimes fire-resisting properties are imparted to the thatch by soaking it in specially
prepared fire-resisting solutions that are very costly. For adequate drainage of rainwater the
thatch covering should be at least 15 cm thick and laid with a slope of 45°.

Shingles

The use of wood shingles as a roof covering is generally restricted to hilly areas where wood is
easily and cheaply available in abundance. Wood shingles are nothing but the sawn or split thin
pieces of wood resembling slates or tiles. These sawn shingles, which are obtained from well-
seasoned timber, are dipped in creosote to impart preservative qualities. Shingle strips are
Department of Architecture Faculty of Technology University of Guyana Dip (Architecture) 2019/2020

driven on rafters and shingles are nailed on their top. Shingles are commonly obtained in length
varying from 30 to 50 cm and in width varying from 5 to 25 cm.

Tiles

The use of tiles is one of the oldest method of roof covering. The tiles are named according to
their shape and pattern and they are manufactured in a similar manner as bricks. The clay tiles
are of various types such as flat tiles, pan tiles, pot tiles or half-round country tiles and patent
tiles such as Mangalore and Allahabad tiles. Sometimes cement concrete tiles are also used, but
is limited on account of high cost and the difficulties in their manufacture. Clay tiles have been
widely used as a roof covering material for residential buildings.

Corrugated Galvanized sheets

These are used for the roof coverings of workshops, factories and temporary sheds. Corrugated
Galvanized sheets are available in various sizes. Generally 22 gauge sheets are used. End lap of
6 inches and side lap of two corrugations are provided at the time of fixing the Corrugated
Galvanized sheets at the top of the roof. It is light and simple to fix. The only disadvantage with
the use of these sheets for roof covering is that during summer season, the rooms under the
roof are heated too much. To protect against the sun, sometimes a layer of ordinary tiles are
provided at the top of Corrugated Galvanized sheeting.

Part of a Hip Roof