Traditional Timber Roof Construction Uk

A truss roof using factory made trusses which are delivered to site complete and just erected.

Traditional timber roof construction uk.

A cut roof this is the traditional method of cutting the timber on site and building up the roof using rafters ridge boards joists and purlins etc the exact details being determined by the size of roof size of timbers etc. A pitched or sloping roof has a pitch of at least 15 but often much more. Traditionally roofs were constructed on site using sawn timber typically with all joints simply nailed together. Pitched roofs examples of pitched roofs.

Trada a trade association with a strong reputation for research and publication on all things timber have published span tables in a softback book called eurocode 5 span tables. This house s roof construction used prefabricated trusses from turner timber with dormer windows factored into the design on the front elevation image credit. Plentiful oak forests and a rich tradition in timber framed building were significant reasons for this. Post and truss below right is by far the most common surviving timber framed building form.

Green oak and other. In devon and cornwall rainfall is much higher but there was a. It is still the roof material of choice for housebuilders and self builders irrespective of whether they are building in traditional or contemporary styles or whether they are creating pitched or flat roofs. The cross frames include tie beams as they do in box framed construction.

50mm wide by 75mm 100mm or 125mm deep are allcommon. If your main interest is in flat roofs then you can learn more by reading flat roof construction part 4. This form makes use of the purlin roof. Timbers were used unseasoned shortly after felling.

Roof and wall elements are structurally united within each cross frame. Roof construction pitched room traditional joinery. The predominant timber species used for structural purposes in england and this is an immensely strong durable and long grained timber. Complex and bespoke roof designs can be implemented.

Most of the steepest pitched roofs in england survive in the east where ironically it is driest. Trussed roofing appeared in the uk in the 1960s and rapidly took over the new housebuilding scene. The timbers are often 400mm or so centres and varyin size according to span. Creates a strong roof structure with mostly open loft space.

Floor joists typically strong enough for light storage applications. The more timber was needed to build the roof structure to span the space below. However for practical purposes the self builder will still find the span tables in the old. Trussed roofs are available in fink truss and open or attic truss options detailed below.

Timber has been the traditional material for building roofs as far back as early saxon times and beyond. Elm sweet chestnut hornbeam and other timbers were also used. Traditional or cut roofs usually comprise a series of sloping timbers rafters fixed to a wall plate at their feet and a ridge board or possibly awall plate at their head.