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Building a pitched roof

I am planning on building a workshop in breeze with a pitched roof.

While I am a confident DIYer, I have never built a pitched roof and wondered if anyone could recommend a good place for me to start? Perhaps an online guide or even a firm that will make up the roof and deliver so I just have to put it together?

Any help appreciated! Thanks.

Comments

  • If you have a Jewsons ( or other large timber merchant) nearby they may do ready made roof trusses, or could probably advise on the size of timbers you need to construct a roof. What is the span? (wall to wall distance). And what are you using on the roof (tiles?)

    Designing a roof needs a certain amount of knowledge, ideally you should use a structural engineer.
  • Vincenzo
    Vincenzo Posts: 526 Forumite
    If you have a Jewsons ( or other large timber merchant) nearby they may do ready made roof trusses, or could probably advise on the size of timbers you need to construct a roof. What is the span? (wall to wall distance). And what are you using on the roof (tiles?)

    Designing a roof needs a certain amount of knowledge, ideally you should use a structural engineer.

    Thanks Jennifernil.

    I think 6' by 8' but have not decided yet. I intended to over-engineer to ensure it was strong enough as I will be tiling with slate.

    I will try the builder's merchants and see what is available.
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,847 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    OK, I was envisaging something bigger. I doubt there will be trusses that small, but you never know.

    You will probably want to construct it in a style similar to your house as regards finishing so take a good look at how that is done first.
    For a traditional roof, very simply.................

    If you build up the gable ends in the breeze block they will support the ridge beam. You also have beams across supported on the side walls. And from each of those an angled timber rafter goes up to rest on the ridge.

    You could then cover it in ply to stiffen it and keep it square, and some roofing felt, and over that fix the battens to nail the slates to.

    The edges will need to be finished properly, as on your house, and you will want to fit gutters and downpipes.

    If you have a local library, they usually have loads of books on DIY and Building, which I'm sure will explain it better than I have. And will have diagrams!
  • ormus
    ormus Posts: 42,714 Forumite
    this may help you as a starting point. there is an address and tel number for more help.
    http://www.tra.org.uk/pdf_files/pds1.pdf
    Get some gorm.
  • Vincenzo
    Vincenzo Posts: 526 Forumite
    Thanks guys - very helpful. I just hope I don't live to regret not buying a timber workshop!
  • Two point perspective would mean that you are looking at one corner of the house with the two sides visible receding away from you towards two vanishing points which are off the paper somewhere to your right and left. To trace the converging lines of the walls on the right and left to their respective vanishing points you have to have a drawing table much bigger than your paper
  • If you want, or need to, do it the hard way, just google "drawing in two point perspective". You are bound to turn up a step by step guide that way.
    Here is a link to a picture I drew in perspective without using vanishing points,
  • iamcornholio
    iamcornholio Posts: 1,900 Forumite
    If you want to register at the TRADA wedsite, then you can download for free, "Principles of pitched roof construction". If you don't want to register, I can email a pdf copy.

    If you want a really good, easy to understand book, then The Building Construction Handbook by Chudley and Greeno will be £15 well spent, and will tell you about the walls and foundations too

    Are you planning a mono-pitch or a double-pitch (ie triangle shape) roof?

    Assuming double pitch, then for slate, you need a pitch of 22.5 minimum, and for a 1.8m wide workshop, you can use 50x100mm timber rafters at 600mm spacings. You may be able to do away with a hozizontal [ceiling] tie and this will give more headroom.

    You just need to decide on eaves and verge details as there are various ways to form these.
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