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How to make a flat roof with your own hands. Monolithic roof - a protective coating for operational purposes Build a roof from monolithic concrete

The construction of a gable or hip roof not always rational and expedient when it comes to outbuildings, industrial and commercial facilities, and sometimes private houses in modern style. High material consumption, a complex truss system make the construction of these structures an economically unprofitable, protracted undertaking. While flat roof projects greatly reduce construction costs, build quickly and are suitable for almost any structure.

A house with a flat roof is reliably protected from increased wind load. However, without slopes, it cannot quickly drain rain and melt water from the roof surface.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the surface of roofing materials has a rough structure that does not allow moisture and snow to slide off freely. Therefore, a do-it-yourself flat roof device must comply with the stringent requirements of building codes for waterproofing, ramping and construction technology.

The structure of the roofing pie

The need for a high level of protection against moisture makes it necessary to have roofing materials flat roof in layers, one above the other, forming the so-called "pie". If we consider its device in section, we can see the following layers:

  1. Flat base made of concrete slabs or profiled metal sheets. It provides structural rigidity, bears the weight of the roofing pie, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions and, as a result, to the foundation. At the exploited roof, the base should be as rigid as possible.
  2. vapor barrier. A layer that is necessary in order to protect a flat roof from the penetration of vapors from internal heated rooms into the thickness of the insulation. Settling on thermal insulation in the form of condensate, water irrevocably reduces its insulating properties by more than two times. As the simplest vapor barrier, polyethylene film or bitumen-based coatings are used.
  3. insulation. For thermal insulation of a flat roof, backfill materials are used, such as expanded clay, perlite, slag, rolled, for example, mineral wool and in the form of plates, in particular expanded polystyrene. By the way, insulation is used not only to regulate the temperature regime, but also to flatten a house with a flat roof. The main requirements for insulation are low hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity, light weight.
  4. Waterproofing. A flat roof allows the use of rolled materials for protection from moisture: bitumen, polymer and bitumen-polymer. In addition to high waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to temperature extremes, elasticity, and long service life.

Types of roofing and the nuances of their installation

The device of a flat roof determines the design and nature of use. The following are distinguished into separate types that require a special approach during construction:


Roof installation for unheated buildings

If a flat roof is erected with your own hands for an unheated utility room, for example, a shed, gazebo, shed or extension, the slope is organized using support beams.

They are installed at an angle of 3 degrees, which is 30 mm per linear meter of the length of the beam. Then a base of unedged boards is laid on the beams, fixing them with nails or self-tapping screws.

Roofing material is used as a waterproofing agent - the most affordable material. It is produced and sold in the form of rolls. Carry out the cutting of the waterproofing, cutting the strips so as to lay them in the direction of the slope of the flat roof.

Roofing material strips are gradually laid with an overlap of 10-15 cm and fixed with wooden slats or steel slats every 60-70 cm in the direction of the drain, so as not to block the path of flowing moisture. Flat roof unheated premises can be easily mounted with your own hands, even by one worker without the help of helpers.

Roof installation for heated buildings

If they are building a private house with a flat roof, which they plan to connect to the heating system, then the work takes place in the following order:


To build a house with a flat roof, the length of which exceeds 6 m, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or more, or a steel I-beam, is used for the manufacture of support beams.

Monolithic concrete roof

Another option for building a flat roof with your own hands is to use monolithic concrete. The process looks like this:


Decline process

- the device of a small angle of the roof surface for organizing a drain. Before building a house with a flat roof, it is better to decide in advance which drain you will install, internal or external, and make a drawing.

If provided, water should drain with the help of a ramp into the water-catching funnels, which are located 1 per 25 sq.m or more often. If you make an external drain, then moisture should fall into the gutter. The slope is formed by the following methods:


A flat roof without a proper slope is an unreliable shield between you and the weather. Moisture that has no way out will accumulate on the surface of the roof, provoke the destruction of the roof and leaks.

Video instruction

Many people are used to thinking that it is customary to build flat roofs only on multi-storey buildings and industrial buildings. However, in recent times This type of roofing is increasingly being used in the construction of private houses. A flat roof in a private house is built without difficulty, given modern technologies and variety of building materials.

There are 4 types of them:

  • Exploited. The main feature of this type is a fairly powerful base, otherwise there is a possibility of damage to the waterproofing layer. Decking or concrete screed, acting as a base, allow you to create the necessary slope for arranging a drain. Thermal insulation on such a roof must be resistant to serious loads. All this is done in order to use the roof of the house in any capacity, whether it be a work site or a recreation area.
  • Unexploited. Here, the rigidity of the base of the flat roof structure is not as important as in the above embodiment. And the strength of the insulation also does not play a significant role. This roof is cheaper than the exploited one, but it will also last a shorter period.
  • Traditional. A feature of their device is the periodicity of the layers - waterproofing goes above thermal insulation. Here, there is a reinforced concrete slab at the base, and an inclined expanded clay concrete screed is used for the drain.
  • Inversion. Flat roof device this option practically no problems with water leaks. Here, the thermal insulation is above the waterproofing, which gives the latter protection from ultraviolet rays and the effects of temperature fluctuations. Such a roofing device turns out to be the most durable and functional, which opens up a lot of opportunities for using the roof space.

Important! Angles in the range of 3 to 5 degrees are considered optimal for the slope of the inversion type of a flat roof.

Advantages and disadvantages of this design

A flat roof in a private house, like other types of roofs, has a number of pros and cons. It is worth considering the advantages that determine its popularity in modern construction:

  • Smaller area than other types of roofing - and this saves effort and money;
  • Convenience and safety of work - it is quite difficult to fall from a straight horizontal surface, and all necessary tools are at hand;
  • Rapid construction - as a consequence of the first two advantages, such work is done much faster;
  • Ease of maintenance and replacement of roofing - the dismantling of worn parts is usually not carried out, but a new cake is laid directly on the old one;
  • The use of additional territory - the arrangement of an exploited roof opens up great prospects;
  • It is possible to install transparent roof elements - the view of the open sky on the ceiling is extremely tempting for many;
  • Giving your home clear geometric shapes - if the drawing of the house allows, then you can give it a unique look with the help of such a design, especially considering that minimalism is now extremely popular.

It is also worth mentioning the disadvantages of this design:

  • Snow and leaves accumulate periodically - sometimes mechanical cleaning of the roof is required;
  • A more complex structure - the presence of gutters suggests their inevitable blockages, especially in bad weather;
  • Regular control - the humidity of the insulation and general state roofs must be constantly checked;

Not surprisingly, some people may have doubts about the reliability of this type of structure. But judging by the experience of the owners of private houses with a similar roof both in Russia and abroad, this type of roof functions successfully and pleases its owners.

Do-it-yourself flat roof installation

Now on the Internet you can find a lot of photos of houses with flat roofs of a wide variety of designs. Interested in the question of how to make a flat roof with your own hands? Before you build a roof, you must first familiarize yourself with the drawing of the house and make sure it is specifications Oh.

The design features of a flat roof depend on many factors. If this is an unheated room and the roof is built with your own hands, then it is enough to install support beams, on which the base is then laid from uncut boards fastened with self-tapping screws or nails. When installing a flat roof on a garage, roofing material often acts as a waterproofing due to its cheapness. Strips of roofing material are applied in the direction of the slope of the roof, fixing them with wooden or steel slats. A do-it-yourself flat roof for an unheated room is created quite easily - here all the work can be done by one person without anyone's help.

When installing a flat roof on a private house that is planned to be heated, the following procedure is usual:

  • Installation of floor beams. Strict observance of the horizontal is required. Here and in subsequent stages, the participation of several workers will be required.
  • Flooring installation. Usually an uncut board with a thickness of no more than 5 cm is taken.

Important! The size of the lumber section increases in proportion to the distance between the support beams.

  • Waterproofing installation.
  • Thermal insulation laying. In this case, the backfill insulation is reinforced concrete screed which dries for a couple of days.
  • After the screed dries, a bitumen-based primer is applied to it, then roofing material is laid and glued.

The structure of the roofing pie

In order to make the roof reliably protected from moisture, it is necessary to place materials in layers one above the other - this arrangement is extremely important. The standard base is made of concrete slabs or profiled metal. It is able to support the weight of the entire structure above, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions, which, in turn, transfer it to the foundation of the house.

Important! The operated roof should have the most solid foundation.

Then come the standard layers: vapor barrier, thermal insulation and waterproofing. When choosing a flat roof, you should be guided by the preferences of the owner and the capabilities of the building itself. From a huge cottage to a small cozy house built many years ago - houses with a flat roof will be reliably protected from various environmental influences on long years.


The still unusual decoration of country cottages - flat roof. It is believed that flat roofs are intended only for urban development or for industrial buildings. But it's not. The roofs of houses in historic neighborhoods are often pitched. And at a private house you can make a flat roof.

Now we will look at what it is, what are the advantages / disadvantages and how to make a flat roof with your own hands.

Types of flat roof

Structurally, flat roofs are divided into two main types: on beams and those with a concrete slab at the base.

Flat roofs are never completely flat, there is still a small angle (within a few degrees). This is necessary for the flow of water. Otherwise, it will stagnate on the roof.

Most often, internal drains are arranged on flat roofs: funnels are mounted in the roof, risers from them pass through the interior. Funnels are placed on the lower part of the roof, at the rate of one riser per 150-200 squares.

The waterproofing around the funnels is reinforced, cable heating is also recommended (so that the water in the riser does not freeze). If the flat roof is without a parapet, and the angle is decent (from 6 degrees), the drainage system can be standard external, as for pitched roofs: gutter and pipes.

Roofs are subdivided according to functionality, the device of the roofing pie and the type of coating. Here are some of the main varieties:

  • The unexploited roof is flat. It is built solely for the sake of originality and economy of material. It does not need to strengthen the structure.

  • Operating flat roof. It can be used for any purpose, from the placement of an outdoor pool and ending with a parking lot.

The type of overlap depends on the intended purpose: it is obvious that with high expected loads, the base should be a concrete slab. But this does not mean that the entire building should be brick or concrete. For example, a flat roof wooden house can also be exploited. Of course, it cannot be used as a heliport, but it is quite possible to arrange a solarium, set up a garden or put up a gazebo for tea drinking. Of course, a sparse crate cannot be made, only a solid one.

  • traditional roofing. The classic version of the roofing cake: a waterproofing layer on top of the insulation, the base is concrete, for the outflow of water - expanded clay concrete (sloping screed).

  • Inversion roof. Here, the insulation lies on top of the waterproofing and protects it from damage. The floor can be finished with paving or ceramic tiles, you can also plant a lawn here. A mandatory requirement for an inversion design is an angle of 3-5 degrees.

Roofs are attic and non-attic. Both types have their advantages: the presence of an attic allows you to place all the necessary communications on it (ventilation pipes, expansion tank heating, etc.), a barren roof can be made exploitable.

One of the options for a non-attic design is a flat combined roof: the attic floor is combined with the roof, the lower side is the ceiling in the living room.

note

According to the device, these roofs differ from simple non-attic ones; it is impossible to make them exploitable.

With a house height of ten meters or more, as well as on exploited roofs in without fail install a parapet. For exploited - not less than 1.2 meters.

If the roof is not in use, and the cottage is low, you can make a flat roof without a parapet or install fencing bars instead, or even do without them.

General arrangement of a flat roof

It is obvious that the devices used for roofs for various purposes will differ:

  • When constructing a pool - increased attention to waterproofing;
  • A “green” roof is also a solid waterproofing plus soil filling, etc.
  • The most common type of roofing is flat roofing. This is cheapness, simplicity and high laying speed, excellent waterproofing. The cheapest material that can be used to cover a flat roof is roofing felt.

    The disadvantages of rolled materials (and roofing material in particular) are low durability, low mechanical strength. For exploited roofs "with high traffic" tiles are preferable.

    A flat roof made of corrugated board and a flat roof made of corrugated board can only be made in a non-exploited version and with the necessary slope. When choosing a material, you need to read the instructions for the model: some types of profiled sheets and metal tiles can be laid on roofs with a slope of less than 11 degrees.

    Some brands of corrugated board can also be used as a base for an unexploited roof, instead of plywood or concrete slab.

    There are other coating materials for unused roofs:

    • Polycarbonate;

    Pros and cons of flat roofs

    Advantages:

    • Original look. Flat roofs in cottages are rare.
    • Possibility of exploitation.
    • Flat roof - easy installation and savings on materials. But it depends on how you plan to operate the roof. And that construction will cost even more than an expensive pitched roof made of ceramic tiles.
    • Laying, maintenance, repair on a flat roof is easier than on a slope.
    • Flat roofs are windproof, pitched roofs have windage.
    • A flat roof leaks more often than a pitched one. It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the waterproofing layer.
    • The need to clear the roof of snow.
    • Flat rolled roofing requires more frequent repairs and resurfacing than metal profiled, tiled and other pitched roofs.

    So which roof is better, flat or pitched? Exclusively a matter of taste.

    Building a flat roof

    Consider the option when the profiled sheet is used as the basis of the roof:

    1. Sheets are laid on the beams (rafters). The step between the rafters depends on the profile. For example, for load-bearing profiles with a corrugation height of 6-7.5 centimeters (H60, H75), the step between the beams is 3-4 meters.

    2. Laying a vapor barrier film. The film is laid with an overlap, the joints must be sealed with mounting tape.

    3. Thermal insulation. Mineral wool boards are usually used for this purpose. Please note that the corrugation depressions also need to be filled with insulation.

    4. Waterproofing. For this purpose, a polymer film is suitable. If the insulation is mineral wool, you can also use built-up waterproofing, because. cotton wool is a non-combustible material.

    5. Finishing coat. You can also use fused. A roll is slowly rolled out over the roof, heating it with a burner along its entire length. The deposited coating is pressed against the roof and smoothed out.

    6. On flat roofs it is possible to lay the built-up roof in several layers.

    In other cases, a flat roof on wooden beams is arranged more traditionally: a solid sheathing of plywood or OSB is nailed onto the beams, a roofing cake is laid (vapor barrier + basalt wool), a waterproofing layer and a rolled roof are directed.

    If you are interested in a flat roof with a more complex device, please contact us: we will perform a roof of any complexity quickly and cost-effectively. affordable price.

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    Do-it-yourself flat roof - most often located on private low-rise buildings as well as garage buildings. This type of roofing device is ahead of its competitors. In our article, we will explain why.

    Before we talk about how to make a flat roof, we note that the term "roof" and the term "roof" are not the same thing. The term "roof" refers to those elements that are located above the living quarters of the house. And the roof is a component of the roof, its top layer. It is he who protects the entire building from the effects of atmospheric influence. In these conditions it is very important to create a reliable roof of a country house.

    Having familiarized yourself with the difference between the terms, we can state that a flat roof is ideal for a house with a small area. With an impressive roof area, it is recommended to work with the whole team.

    Flat roof and its features

    When working on a small house with a roof small area, you can safely do without assistants.

    At the beginning of work, fasten wooden beams or steel beams to the bearing camps. With the help of them, you can reduce most of the mass of the roof, directing it to the main walls and foundation.

    So, we found out that the main load on the beams is the weight of the roof. But besides this, there are other loads, such as:

    • The total weight of the roof and communication elements. As a rule, they are located in the attic or attached to the roof.
    • The weight of a person who is repairing a roof or roof. It can also install additional hardware.
    • Volume and mass of snow + cold winter wind pressure.


    Read the advice of experts on the forums, look at the photos on the Internet - then you can implement right choice load-bearing beams and avoid critical errors. Surely you will be interested in the article flat roof - the pros and cons.

    If you want to get a reliable and safe flat roof, then choose only the right roofing (details: ""). Also important is the choice of related materials that can withstand a large physical activity and the impact of natural disasters.

    Don't forget to check all material specifications. To prevent negative consequences - conduct a thorough hydro- and vapor barrier.


    1. Lay a "pie" of several materials on the plates (they must have different properties).
    2. The first layer is a vapor barrier. Its function is to protect the insulation layer from moisture. As a material for vapor barrier, a polymer-bitumen film is used. At the same time, it is often reinforced with fiberglass, and then a flat roof is installed. Place the edges of the film on the verticals of the overlaps. It is very important to close the seams carefully and accurately, as well as to understand.
    3. On top of the vapor barrier, lay the insulation. If expanded clay is used, fill it with a mass of concrete. When constructing a lightweight roof, a polymer insulation must be fixed directly to the vapor barrier.
    4. Moisture insulation is the main layer for a roof without slopes. For the device of this element, you will need membrane or polymer-bitumen materials.

    Do-it-yourself flat roof for cold rooms

    There are buildings that do not have heating. These include sheds and gazebos. They are supposed to create a slope for water flow from the roof. To do this, you only need to equip the roof at the smallest angle.

    When constructing a sloping flat roof, its supporting beams should be at a slight angle. Boards will be fixed on the beams. This will be a kind of basis for rolled roofing material (more details: "").


    For the installation of a rolled carpet of roofing material, you will need a frame made of boards. For this, it is best to use thin wooden planks or steel strips. Fasten them along the slope. In this case, the step should be 70 cm. But you should not block the path of water flowing from the roof. The percentage of slope of such a roof is no more than 3%. In other words, it is 3 cm per linear meter of length.

    Construction of flat roofs for warm rooms

    Consider the nuances of equipping a flat roof for heated houses:

    1. First of all, lay a layer of boards on bearing beams, pre-executed. After this, the laying of the roofing or roofing material should be carried out. Their canvases should be placed according to the overlap method. In this case, the length should be 15 cm.
    2. Expanded clay is laid on top of the roofing material (you can use slag or other material). Before filling the insulation, check that the slope is directed towards the flow of precipitation.
    3. The third stage is the pouring of the insulation layer with cement. After preparing the screed, treat it with a bitumen primer.
    4. Only a fully finished screed will be ready to accept rolled roofing material.

    When studying flat roof construction, you will see for yourself that roofs with a large spacing between support beams require the participation of several people. It is advisable to invite professional craftsmen who will perform all the necessary work as soon as possible.


    When fixing the support beams, the distance between them should be observed. It should be no more than 1 m.

    The device of a flat roof made of monolithic concrete

    The first step is to calculate the span of the roof. If it is 5 m, then beams of 15 cm are used. Speaking in professional building language, this is the “fifteenth I-beam”.

    To create a monolithic roof, it is recommended to use concrete grade 250. When creating a concrete solution in place construction works, it is advisable to use a concrete mixer. Otherwise, you are unlikely to achieve the correct consistency of the solution. To obtain concrete for a flat roof, it is necessary to mix crushed stone with particles of 20 mm and cement, brand PC-400.

    When calculating the components, follow the following rules: for eight buckets of rubble - three buckets of cement, 4 buckets of sand, and two buckets of water. If there is not enough water, you can add more, it is not critical.


    Insulation of a flat roof with foam concrete, see the video:

    Next, the boards are fastened to the lower beam shelves. Roofing material is laid on the dry surface of the boards. Then, a reinforced mesh of a periodic profile is laid on top. The diameter of this element should not be less than 1 cm. The size of the cells in this case is 20x20 cm.

    In order not to repair a flat roof, the places where the mesh rods are laid are fixed with a tie wire. An option using glue is possible. Ultimately, the mesh should not slip when the screed is poured.

    For complete coverage with concrete mortar, small pieces of crushed stone are usually laid out at the bottom of the grid. Due to this, a gap of 4 cm is left. It is necessary to distinguish between the grid and the roofing material layer. Filling is carried out in the openings between the beams. Recall that their thickness should be at least 15 cm.

    After all the steps, the concrete is covered with a film of polyethylene. This is especially true if the work is carried out at high temperatures. By covering the surface, you will prevent the evaporation of moisture from the concrete solution. This, in turn, will protect the top layer from cracking.

    Concrete must be under the film for at least three days. After completely drying the concrete mass, pour a layer of insulation. Don't forget about slopes. The next step is to create a screed and install a rolled carpet.

    Insulating a flat roof

    Today, a common phenomenon is the replacement of a flat roof with a pitched one. However, in favor of a flat roof is the fact that it can be insulated both from the outside and from the inside. And after it is completed.

    Previously, solid slabs of thermal insulation were used for insulation. However, with this option, the roofing weight increased significantly. Having studied past experience, modern construction has moved away from this method of insulation. Today, most often flat roofs are insulated with basalt mineral wool. It's pretty lightweight material. In addition, it boasts good thermal conductivity and moisture resistance.


    Note that basalt mineral wool is not subject to combustion processes. In addition, it fully tolerates even the most negative influences of nature.

    The construction of the house is completed, and the last step before finishing is the installation of the roof. For small private houses and garages, a shed roof is most often used, since this particular type of roof is considered the simplest and most practical.

    When installing this design, free space remains, which is often used as an attic or attic. Monolithic shed roof has a slope to one side. Most often, polycarbonate materials are used to cover the roof, since they have many advantages. Consider monolithic polycarbonate- the most common and versatile type of roofing.

    Advantages of monolithic polycarbonate

    Monolithic - solid, without voids, without honeycombs and porous structure, polycarbonate is often compared with silicate glass. With this material, you get:

    • Resistance to temperature changes. Maintains a range from -40 to +100 degrees. This allows the use of polycarbonate in regions with large temperature fluctuations.
    • Resistance to various damages. Scratches, chips and cracks will not appear on the surface from a fallen branch or stone.
    • Ease. Sheets are light weight, which greatly facilitates installation.
    • Color spectrum. A wide range of shades allows you to choose monolithic polycarbonate roof in a house built in any style, you can match the roof to the color of the walls or any other decor in the yard.
    • Sunlight pass. Translucent sheets perfectly transmit light, in addition to the roof of the house, they can be used for sheds, balconies, terraces or gazebos. It is not uncommon to see a pool covered with polycarbonate.
    • Resistant to rust and moisture. Corrosion and deformation from water ingress will not harm the roof.
    • Long term use. You can do without replacement for 20 years.

    Of the disadvantages of the coating, only instability to UV rays can be noted. Protective film that covers each sheet of material. Should be removed only after completion of all work. Also, consider the possibility of expansion of the material during prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

    When mounting, use specially designed self-tapping screws, while the hole diameter for them should be slightly larger than the self-tapping screw. If you lose sight of this, the material can be severely deformed over time.

    Roof installation. Stages

    • Drawing

    If you decide to install a polycarbonate roof yourself, prepare an accurate drawing. You can develop it yourself, or turn to professionals. Based on the drawing, you can start purchasing materials.

    • frame

    For the frame, steel or wooden elements are used (truss system of beams). We choose the level of inclination: usually from 18-20 to 30-35 degrees. It is better to place the lower part of the roof on the leeward side, the angle of inclination is determined based on the precipitation indicators in the region: the more precipitation, the higher the angle.

    Prepare the necessary tools. We need:

    1. A hammer
    2. Axe
    3. Pencil
    4. Roulette
    5. Hacksaw with fine teeth
    6. Staples and stapler
    7. Knife (sharp)

    Beams need to be mounted at a distance of about 70 mi. From each other, necessarily on the basis (seismic belt or Mauerlat). The joint between the polycarbonate sheets should fall exactly in the middle of the rafter. Calculate the number of rafters according to the number of beams. As a result, you should get a right triangle, one side of which is a beam, the other is a vertical rafter. Then install the sloped beams. They must be fixed to the concrete belt with anchors. If you use a Mauerlat as a base, take nails (100) as fasteners.

    • Roofing

    We fix the mounting connecting and end profiles. After that, with the help of rivets, we fix the limiters. At 20 mm. retreat from the edge of the profiles. Sheets of carbonate must be fixed in a dotted manner, at a distance of about 30 cm, or with special profiles. If you need to cut polycarbonate, it is better to use an electric jigsaw. If vibration occurs during cutting, the sheet may crack. Watch your cutting speed. At high - the material will begin to melt, at low, chips may appear.

    • Finishing work

    After installing the sheets, it is necessary to cover the formed seams with a special mastic. After that, install the plugs and fasten the profile covers.

    • Material care

    In order for the coating to last a long time, remember a few simple rules in dealing with him. Do not build an open fire near the roof or under it (if it is a gazebo), this can lead to melting of the sheets. Do not remove snow with metal shovels. For washing, do not use aromatic products, they can damage the surface structure. Avoid abrasives as well. They may cause scratches.

    All in all, polycarbonate is a simple material that, with proper care, will last you for years to come. Its practicality is proven, the benefits are obvious, which means it is best option for installing a roof in a private house, garage or small gazebo.

    Under the roof of the blocks a wonderful microclimate


    By itself, a well-insulated truss truss made of wooden blocks cannot create the cozy atmosphere that occurs under a monolithic roof. Reason: Roof elements made of porous concrete or brick have not only thermal insulation properties- they store heat. Thus, a monolithic roof is a good alternative to traditional wooden beams.

    The most expensive part of the construction work for the construction of a monolithic roof falls on the stage preceding the laying of the slabs. While in the support of the construction truss of wooden beams in the worst case, linings can be made, and the walls of the pediment take their final shape later, in a monolithic roof there is hardly any room for correction later. Therefore, when erecting monolithic roof supports, you need to do the work very meticulously. Even when determining the right angles of the horizontal projection, you need to spend a lot of effort. But if the building is characterized by beveled corners and balconies, then it is necessary to repeatedly and with mathematical accuracy double-check the angles of the roof and the position of the ridge ridge.

    It is best to pull the cords in the plane of the support plates. Each block is first fitted dry and the line of curvature of the supports is marked. Cutting blocks is very easy and simple, especially if you build from porous concrete and have a band saw at your disposal.

    If a reinforced concrete ring anchor is needed as a support for the slabs, the work can be difficult, since the connecting fittings are removed from the support, which then must fit into the gaps between the slabs with accuracy. In this case, the cooperation of a construction expert is recommended. The formwork for the ring anchor is made from the side of thin blocks. Then the reinforcement of the ring anchor is coupled with the connecting reinforcement and poured with concrete. Moisten the masonry walls first. Tip: the static will calculate whether to build a masonry support or make it concrete.

    With a monolithic roof, supports and formwork are unnecessary

    After the cast-in-place roof slab supports are in place, you lay the precast units together with two assistants and a construction consultant from the cast-in-place roof supplier. Within a few hours the roof is covered.

    The roof slabs consist of reinforced porous concrete or reinforced brick elements, which have full load-bearing capacity already on delivery. Therefore, with a monolithic roof, supports and formwork are unnecessary.

    Typically, porous concrete monolithic roof slabs rest on gable walls and load-bearing internal walls. Any roof slope and almost any span are feasible. But for production reasons, prefabricated blocks can only have a maximum length of 6 m. If large spans are to be spanned, then reinforced concrete beams and steel I-beams are needed, which you already know from porous concrete floors (p. 57). While reinforced concrete beams under the roof, like large lintels, cross the room and are visible, steel supports can be built into the plane of the slab and later completely invisible. In this way, monolithic roof structures are produced for almost every plan.

    In a monolithic roof, windows can also be built into the roof plane. In any case, this is only done with a custom-made steel frame. Such a steel construction part is in most cases supported by the side walls and serves as a reliable support for those roof slabs that have been separated in order to construct a window in the roof plane. The larger the window should be, the more expensive the frame will cost.

    Tip: Windows in the roof plane can be made from a steel frame near load-bearing internal walls running parallel to the gable if the separated roof slabs respectively have at least two supports (on the gable and on the internal wall). The roof slabs are then laid as cantilever slabs (similar to balcony slabs, page 60) without the need for a steel frame. A self-construction consultant will help you with detailed planning.

    The monolithic roof support is being prepared: lay the blocks dry and mark the roof slope.

    The sawn block is placed, as usual, on a thin layer of mortar.

    Now prefabricated blocks of a monolithic roof are delivered to the top by a truck crane.

    The easiest way to cover large runs is with I-beams.

    Custom-made steel frames allow windows to be built into the roof plane.

    Dormer windows are also possible in combination with a monolithic roof (here: brick monolithic roof).

    After laying the roof slabs, its edge is lined.

    Carrier boxes with curtain shutters can be built into the ring anchor. Discuss the details with the static.

    Steel bars should be placed in the gaps between the prefabricated blocks of the slabs.

    It is already possible to concrete the ring anchor, then fill the gaps with mortar.

    Now start laying wooden beams. Align the roof overhang with the cord.


    Wooden beams are fixed with bolts and nails in accordance with the calculation of the static load parameters.

    It goes without saying that a chimney sweep hatch can also be made in a monolithic roof. In this case, load transfer, which is already known from the construction of a pipe passage in a porous concrete floor, will help.

    Important: retroactively embedding a window in the plane of a monolithic roof is completely excluded. A monolithic roof (just like a floor slab) is a building block, load bearing capacity which is guaranteed in a unified system for calculating the static load parameters.

    A reinforced concrete ring anchor is being built around the monolithic roof

    Now the roof slabs are laid and the lining of its edge begins. This work is familiar to you from building a floor from prefabricated blocks. From the inside, heat-insulating plates are placed on the side blocks, then the ring anchor is assembled and concreted (use spacers and moisten the masonry). Before the gaps between the plates are filled with mortar, steel bars are placed in them. By the way, the ring anchor is also carried out under the roof ridge.

    Now it's about roofing works. If the space under the roof is to be used later as a living space, additional thermal insulation is required. First, a wooden beam is placed with an edge on the roof slabs. In this case, you need to choose a beam with cross section corresponding to the thickness of the insulating material: the bars must be at least 4 cm higher than the thickness of the insulating material. This space will later be used for ventilation. The thickness of the thermal insulation for a group with a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.35 is from 5 to 8 cm (approximate values). Note: Ask your consultant how thick the thermal insulation should be.

    Let's get back to the installation of wooden beams. There should be up to two connecting elements with a monolithic roof per one meter of length. At the same time, to facilitate work, it is enough to make every third connection with dowels and screws. Other connecting elements are nailed. When in doubt, ask the static how connections should be made in your case. Tip: pre-drill the holes. Not only for bolts, but also for nails. Between wooden beams thermal insulation is laid. The following steps are comparable to the steps for building a conventional wooden truss: above wooden structure a film is laid that is permeable to the diffusion of water vapor, which is reinforced with counter-bars. A transverse crate is placed on top. Then a gutter is installed and the roof is made. The minimum distance from the slightly sagging underlay film to the thermal insulation is 2 cm.

    Monolithic roof: options





    A monolithic roof is often combined with wood. If they do not want the attic living space to rise to the ridge, but the usual height of the room is preferred, then only part of the slope is made a monolithic roof. The rest of the slope has the usual overlap of prefabricated blocks (diagram above). Then a small truss truss is erected over the monolithic roof, resulting in attic space, which can be used, for example, as a warehouse. Under a monolithic roof, you also do not need to abandon the atmosphere created by wooden beams: even before finishing, build in planed beams (not processed), and then sheathe a monolithic roof with boards from below.


    Anyone who opted for a monolithic roof does not need to give up a dormer window. The consultant will tell you what structural details to pay attention to when laying the walls of the dormer window. From the sides, dormer windows on a monolithic roof are either plastered or sheathed (with shingles or a profile board). It is rational for construction to make dormer windows from prefabricated parts that are delivered unassembled and which can be assembled by two in half a day, including on a monolithic roof. The dormer window is simply placed in the window opening in the roof plane.

    In a monolithic roof, sheathe the overhang at the end of the work

    After the monolithic roof is covered, it is also necessary to sheathe the roof overhang along the gable edge and at the gutter. Wooden beams, between which there is thermal insulation, should protrude at the gutter above the facade. From the sides, the overhang of the roof is made due to the hanging roof lathing. First, a wind board is screwed from below to the roof slats, to which another slat is already nailed. Planks for the side overhang are later screwed to this board from below. But until the turn comes to this, wooden beams are sheathed at the gutter. Boards with tongues and grooves are also sewn from below. A ventilation grill is mounted in front so that an air flow can occur, which carries out periodically occurring condensate through the roof ridge (between the thermal insulation and the underlying film). Now the planks are firmly nailed along the gable wind board.

    Important: for all work on the roof, follow the instructions of the building trade union for the prevention of accidents.


    Thermal insulation boards are laid between the wooden beams if there is a dwelling under the roof.


    If a film and a crate are placed on the main structure ...


    ...then a monolithic roof can no longer be distinguished from a conventional roof with beams.


    The battens and gutter are installed in the same way as with a traditional roof.


    Looking through the thermal insulation: the passage of the internal drainage pipe in the ring anchor is visible.


    By using flexible pipe a connection is made to the nozzle of the ventilation exhaust pipe.


    Slice: wind board with a screwed roof lath provides lateral support to the cladding.


    The overhang of the roof at the gutter is sheathed with boards (tongue-and-groove).


    A ventilation grille is attached to the roof overhang.


    At the end, the planks of the sheathing behind the gable wind board are screwed from below.

    Worth knowing


    Monolithic roofs made of brick blocks do not always extend from pediment to pediment. With the so-called rafter laying, prefabricated blocks pass from the bottom up. In this case, supports must be placed. Tip: openings for windows in the roof plane in brick monolithic roofs are already provided, so there is no need to build in steel parts in the form of a frame. Roofing works are carried out in the same way as in the case of a monolithic roof made of porous concrete.
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  • When building your home, building a roof is one of the most important tasks. We propose to discuss how a flat roof is made in a private house with your own hands from corrugated board, its installation, insulation and drainage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of roofing.

    Design features of a flat roof

    Modern private builders rarely use flat roofs to cover private buildings, dwellings, mainly these are surfaces that can be used to cover a gazebo, the surface of a garage, a bathhouse and other utility rooms. The flat roof is mainly used for multi-storey residential buildings, where design features you can not build a gable roof.

    Photo - Flat roof roofing pie

    Projects of houses and cottages with a flat roof are distinguished by originality and eclecticism. In addition, you can equip a special roofing cake, thanks to which the lack of attic (inter-roofing) space will play into your hands. There are such types of flat roofs:



    Photo - Flat roof waterproofing

    There is also a flat combined roof - when the roof combines several of the listed types. For example, inversion and traditional.

    pros flat roof:

    1. Highly simple design, there are no special principles for installing rafters, frames and other beams;
    2. Easy calculation of roofing materials;
    3. You can use the surface of such a roof as a foundation for installing various systems directly on the roof: satellite dishes, winter gardens, solar panels etc.;
    4. Smaller area, unlike a shed or attic (no need for wide overhangs).

    But minuses flat non-attic roof are more significant:

    1. Due to the lack of an angle of inclination, it often leaks. Shed, gable and other sloping types of roofs do an excellent job of independently draining water, but for a flat one you need to build a special drain;
    2. Several times a year, a country house will need to be cleaned from the accumulation of foliage and snow on the roof;
    3. Often the funnels of the internal drain freeze due to the lack of an attic.

    But still, in view of economy, the disadvantages that a flat roof has are not very significant compared to its advantages.

    Video: flat roof

    How to choose a material for a flat roof

    Properly selected roofing materials for a flat roof are half the success of the entire construction of a house. Of course, you can stop at a profiled sheet, but it is worth noting that in this case it is necessary to think about how snow removal and drainage will be carried out. The fact is that from the constant exposure to atmospheric precipitation, the metal coating can rust and go out of service earlier than the period declared by the manufacturers.

    The roof covering must be perfectly resistant to moisture. Here will serve well:

    1. Decking with a polymer coating;
    2. Polycarbonate;
    3. Slate;
    4. Mastics.

    Let's consider what material for a flat roof is more often used. Construction mastics most commonly used on residential buildings. These are special liquid coatings that are applied to the surface of the roof with a brush, and then solidify, forming an airtight solid that looks like rolled materials. They are highly resistant to impact. high temperature- up to 70 degrees, but can crack at low - up to 25.

    Photo - Flat roof

    Polycarbonate is more reliable and beautiful than mastics, but it is much more expensive. Its main advantage is its external similarity with glass, so it can be used to create a stylish roof that will emphasize your financial condition. In addition, it is polycarbonate that is chosen for the design of residential buildings.

    Slate previously used for any type of roof, regardless of its slopes. It is very heavy, so to install it, you need to carefully consider the frame and foundation of the building - so that the house does not “settle”. The load that slate puts on the rafters is perfectly compensated by its durability indicators: it can last up to 50 years in medium-aggressive environments with strong pressure and temperature drops. Now it can be replaced by aerated concrete, which is lighter.

    Decking polymer coated is an almost ideal material for covering a flat roof. A dacha, a greenhouse and a house with such a surface may not be afraid of temperature changes, ultra-low degree indicators, but a snow cushion is fatal for them. It is necessary to ensure that the metal is periodically cleaned of precipitation, so work out natural cleaning systems.



    Photo - Flat roof made of corrugated board

    More rarely, but still, a wooden flat roof is used. Its durability indicators are relatively low, but the tree will help protect the roofing material or the same mastics. Timber roofs are mainly used in complex design projects.

    Flat roof installation

    Let's consider how a flat exploited roof is installed on square houses, as well as how to make the insulation of this type of coating.

    A flat roof is a universal type of construction, it has an excellent combination of price and quality, but there are significant drawbacks in the form of a complex drainage system. When choosing such a roof, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages very well.


    Most people have no idea how to make a flat roof at home, the concept of a "flat roof" is often associated with multi-story buildings. A couple of decades ago, flat roofs were rarely used in low-rise construction.

    To date, the presence modern materials and technology allows you to make a flat roof both at an affordable price and with high consumer characteristics.

    Types of flat roofs:

    Exploited roofs- need a rigid base in the form of a screed made of concrete or corrugated board. On such a roof, the heat-insulating material experiences static and dynamic loads, so it must be strong in compression. With a low rigidity of the insulation, a cement screed is needed on top of it.

    Unexploited roofs- do not need a rigid base for laying waterproofing material, as well as a rigid insulation. Such a roof is cheaper to build, but the period of its operation is shorter than for an exploited roof.

    traditional roofs have the peculiarity that the waterproofing layer is above the thermal insulation layer. At the base of the roof there is a reinforced concrete slab; an inclined screed of expanded clay concrete is laid to drain water from the roof.

    Inverted roofs deprived of the main disadvantage of flat roofs - water leaks. In such a roof, the thermal insulation layer is located above the waterproofing layer. This feature protects the waterproofing layer from destruction by ultraviolet rays, smoothes out the effects of temperature changes. Such a roof is more durable than other types of roofs. On such a roof, you can even arrange a lawn or pave with paving slabs.

    Flat roof covering

    In accordance with building codes, the flat roof covering at the base must be made of reinforced concrete slabs or corrugated sheets.

    For capital buildings, lightweight floor slabs are usually used, on top of which several layers of insulating materials are laid:

    1. A vapor barrier is installed to prevent moisture from entering the insulation from inside the room. For the vapor barrier of the flat roof covering, a polymer-bitumen film reinforced with fiberglass is used, which is glued to a concrete screed. The edges of the film are wound behind the vertical of the overlap, the seams are carefully soldered.
    2. The heater is installed. When using expanded clay for insulation, it is first covered with a concrete screed. If you are making a lightweight version of the roof, then the polymer insulation is glued directly to the vapor barrier layer.
    3. The most important stage of the coating is waterproofing, usually made of polymer-bitumen or membrane materials.

    There are differences in the device of a flat roof for heated and unheated premises:

    • for unheated premises (barn, gazebos ...) a slope is created by the roof surface to drain precipitation. In this case, the load-bearing beams are installed at an angle, and a shield made of boards is placed on top of them. From above it is covered with a roll of roofing material. The roofing material is attached to the shield of boards using metal strips or battens nailed along the slope. The distance between the rails is 60-70 cm, and the slope must be at least 3%.
    • for a heated room, a flat roof is covered in several stages:
    1. The beams are covered with flooring from boards, ruberoid or roofing felt is placed on top with an overlap of at least 15 centimeters.
    2. Expanded clay insulation is poured in with a slope in the direction of water discharge.
    3. A cement screed is laid on top of the insulation, its thickness must be at least 2 cm. Then we process the screed with a bituminous primer.
    4. We glue a rolled carpet of roofing material.

    During the construction of a roof made of monolithic concrete, the supporting structures are I-beams. If the roof span is 4-5 meters, then beams with a height of 12-15 centimeters are used.

    For monolithic floor it is better to use ready-made concrete grade 250, and if you make concrete yourself, then use a concrete mixer. Manually enough it is difficult to achieve the desired degree of mixing of concrete.

    The highest quality is the laying of concrete over the entire surface of the roof in one day. It is advisable to tamp the concrete after pouring, for this use a vibrator, or tamp it manually.

    To prevent the concrete from cracking, it is covered with plastic wrap for 3 days. After the concrete has completely dried, slopes are made with a heater, then a screed and a rolled carpet.

    One of the important features of a flat roof is the possibility of insulating it from the outside during the operation of the house, and not just from the inside. In this case, the external insulation of the flat roof is first performed, and then, if it is not enough, the internal one.

    Until recently, the main method of insulating a flat roof was insulating with rigid thermal insulation slabs, but the disadvantage of this method is that the load on the roof increases.

    Now the most well-established insulation is basalt mineral wool, which is quite light and has better thermal conductivity and waterproofing. Its advantages include the fact that it does not ignite and is not subject to mechanical stress.

    If it is necessary to insulate the inner surface of the roof, it is better to use refractory plates made of expanded polystyrene with a thickness of 25-30 mm. To do this, wooden planks are attached to the roof ceiling at a distance of 40 cm. Styrofoam boards are glued onto the planks with mastic.

    Flat roof waterproofing

    Proper waterproofing of a flat roof is very important. A flat roof, regardless of the materials used, should have a slope of 3-5% for water flow. The drainage and waterproofing system should be thought out at the design stage of a building with a flat roof.

    Whatever material you choose for the roof, it is important that the joints and junctions of the various roof elements are waterproof. High-quality sealant is an important component of good waterproofing.

    During operation, the roof is exposed to aggressive environmental influences (temperature changes, moisture, etc.). Therefore, when choosing a sealant, pay attention to the characteristics of its resistance to temperature and mechanical stress.

    More often, mastic is used as a sealant, it is based on elastic polyurethane resins. After being applied to the roof, the mastic polymerizes, after which a continuous rubber-like membrane is formed. It has waterproofing properties and protects the roof from mechanical damage. Mastic is ideal for a flat roof, it is safe, highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation, precipitation, microorganisms. Apply it with a brush or roller.

    In conclusion, it should be noted that, from the point of view of many modern designers, a flat roof is a sign of minimalism in building a house as a whole. For example, in Greece this type of roof is mainly used. If, from the point of view of design, the proportions of the house are observed correctly, then this type of roof is beautiful and original.

    The flat roof of the house is appropriate for those houses that have a simple design with a minimum of components and decorative elements.

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    Do-it-yourself flat roof - most often located on private low-rise buildings, as well as on garage buildings. This type of roofing device is ahead of its competitors. In our article, we will explain why.

    Before we talk about how to make a flat roof, we note that the term "roof" and the term "roof" are not the same thing. The term "roof" refers to those elements that are located above the living quarters of the house. And the roof is a component of the roof, its top layer. It is he who protects the entire building from the effects of atmospheric influence. In these conditions it is very important to create a reliable roof of a country house.

    Having familiarized yourself with the difference between the terms, we can state that a flat roof is ideal for a house with a small area. With an impressive roof area, it is recommended to work with the whole team.

    Flat roof and its features

    When working on a small house with a small roof area, you can safely do without assistants.

    At the beginning of work, fasten wooden beams or steel beams to the bearing camps. With the help of them, you can reduce most of the mass of the roof, directing it to the main walls and foundation.

    So, we found out that the main load on the beams is the weight of the roof. But besides this, there are other loads, such as:

    • The total weight of the roof and communication elements. As a rule, they are located in the attic or attached to the roof.
    • The weight of a person who is repairing a roof or roof. It can also install additional hardware.
    • Volume and mass of snow + cold winter wind pressure.


    Read the advice of experts on the forums, look at the photos on the Internet - then you can make the right choice of load-bearing beams and avoid critical mistakes. Surely you will be interested in the article flat roof - the pros and cons.

    If you want to get a reliable and safe flat roof, then choose only the right roofing (details: ""). Also important is the choice of related materials that can withstand heavy physical exertion, as well as the effects of natural disasters.

    Don't forget to check all material specifications. To prevent negative consequences - conduct a thorough hydro- and vapor barrier.


    1. Lay a "pie" of several materials on the plates (they must have different properties).
    2. The first layer is a vapor barrier. Its function is to protect the insulation layer from moisture. As a material for vapor barrier, a polymer-bitumen film is used. At the same time, it is often reinforced with fiberglass, and then a flat roof is installed. Place the edges of the film on the verticals of the overlaps. It is very important to close the seams carefully and accurately, as well as to understand.
    3. On top of the vapor barrier, lay the insulation. If expanded clay is used, fill it with a mass of concrete. When constructing a lightweight roof, a polymer insulation must be fixed directly to the vapor barrier.
    4. Moisture insulation is the main layer for a roof without slopes. For the device of this element, you will need membrane or polymer-bitumen materials.

    Do-it-yourself flat roof for cold rooms

    There are buildings that do not have heating. These include sheds and gazebos. They are supposed to create a slope for water flow from the roof. To do this, you only need to equip the roof at the smallest angle.

    When constructing a sloping flat roof, its supporting beams should be at a slight angle. Boards will be fixed on the beams. This will be a kind of basis for rolled roofing material (more details: "").


    For the installation of a rolled carpet of roofing material, you will need a frame made of boards. For this, it is best to use thin wooden planks or steel strips. Fasten them along the slope. In this case, the step should be 70 cm. But you should not block the path of water flowing from the roof. The percentage of slope of such a roof is no more than 3%. In other words, it is 3 cm per linear meter of length.

    Construction of flat roofs for warm rooms

    Consider the nuances of equipping a flat roof for heated houses:

    1. First of all, lay a layer of boards on the supporting beams, having previously completed. After this, the laying of the roofing or roofing material should be carried out. Their canvases should be placed according to the overlap method. In this case, the length should be 15 cm.
    2. Expanded clay is laid on top of the roofing material (you can use slag or other material). Before filling the insulation, check that the slope is directed towards the flow of precipitation.
    3. The third stage is the pouring of the insulation layer with cement. After preparing the screed, treat it with a bitumen primer.
    4. Only a fully finished screed will be ready to accept rolled roofing material.

    When studying flat roof construction, you will see for yourself that roofs with a large spacing between support beams require the participation of several people. It is advisable to invite professional craftsmen who will perform all the necessary work as soon as possible.


    When fixing the support beams, the distance between them should be observed. It should be no more than 1 m.

    The device of a flat roof made of monolithic concrete

    The first step is to calculate the span of the roof. If it is 5 m, then beams of 15 cm are used. Speaking in professional building language, this is the “fifteenth I-beam”.

    To create a monolithic roof, it is recommended to use concrete grade 250. When creating a concrete solution at the construction site, it is advisable to use a concrete mixer. Otherwise, you are unlikely to achieve the correct consistency of the solution. To obtain concrete for a flat roof, it is necessary to mix crushed stone with particles of 20 mm and cement, brand PC-400.

    When calculating the components, adhere to the following rules: for eight buckets of crushed stone - three buckets of cement, 4 buckets of sand, and two buckets of water. If there is not enough water, you can add more, it is not critical.


    Insulation of a flat roof with foam concrete, see the video:

    Next, the boards are fastened to the lower beam shelves. Roofing material is laid on the dry surface of the boards. Then, a reinforced mesh of a periodic profile is laid on top. The diameter of this element should not be less than 1 cm. The size of the cells in this case is 20x20 cm.

    In order not to repair a flat roof, the places where the mesh rods are laid are fixed with a tie wire. An option using glue is possible. Ultimately, the mesh should not slip when the screed is poured.

    For complete coverage with concrete mortar, small pieces of crushed stone are usually laid out at the bottom of the grid. Due to this, a gap of 4 cm is left. It is necessary to distinguish between the grid and the roofing material layer. Filling is carried out in the openings between the beams. Recall that their thickness should be at least 15 cm.

    After all the steps, the concrete is covered with a film of polyethylene. This is especially true if the work is carried out at high temperatures. By covering the surface, you will prevent the evaporation of moisture from the concrete solution. This, in turn, will protect the top layer from cracking.

    Concrete must be under the film for at least three days. After completely drying the concrete mass, pour a layer of insulation. Don't forget about slopes. The next step is to create a screed and install a rolled carpet.

    Insulating a flat roof

    Today, a common phenomenon is the replacement of a flat roof with a pitched one. However, in favor of a flat roof is the fact that it can be insulated both from the outside and from the inside. And after it is completed.

    Previously, solid slabs of thermal insulation were used for insulation. However, with this option, the roofing weight increased significantly. Having studied past experience, modern construction has moved away from this method of insulation. Today, most often flat roofs are insulated with basalt mineral wool. It's pretty light material. In addition, it boasts good thermal conductivity and moisture resistance.


    Note that basalt mineral wool is not subject to combustion processes. In addition, it fully tolerates even the most negative influences of nature.

    During the construction of urban high-rise buildings and industrial facilities, a reinforced concrete slab usually becomes the basis of a flat roof. But for private houses, especially frame and wooden ones, this choice is most often unacceptable. In this case, a flat roof is built on wooden beams. Its main advantage is its light weight, which reduces the load on walls and foundations.

    The device of such a roof is simpler and cheaper than when using heavy reinforced concrete slabs. But the functionality is the same. Therefore, this option of a flat roof is often chosen by those who want to build it with their own hands.

    The main share of such roofs falls on private houses and cottages, whose owners appreciate the futuristic style, convenience and practicality. Still - on the floors of verandas, terraces, balconies, garages. As a rule, all these buildings are wooden or frame, requiring a light roof structure. But this is not a mandatory rule. The wall material can be any - brick, aerated concrete, foam concrete, etc. In this case, wooden beams often cut into a Mauerlat - a wooden beam that runs along the perimeter of the walls and is connected to them with anchor bolts or studs.

    A flat roof is especially attractive to developers because its horizontal surface can be used as a usable area. Moreover, this is possible even for the roof, which is based on wooden beams.


    Of course, you should not use the freed meters for a parking lot, a swimming pool or a tennis court. Still for similar projects a more monumental foundation is required. But outdoor terrace, observation deck, wooden beams can easily withstand a home greenhouse. The main thing is to correctly calculate and not save on the thickness of the lumber.

    Types of flat roofs on beams

    On the wooden floors you can build a flat roof of the following types:

    • unexploited;
    • exploited;
    • inversion.

    That is, all possible types - without restrictions.

    Unexploited roof- ordinary, ending with a waterproofing finish. It is intended solely to protect the premises from environmental conditions and has no other purpose. It is impossible to use it as a place of rest, to move in large companies, to install terrace furniture and flowerpots. The coating of such a roof is designed for the fact that 1-2 people will periodically climb it, solely for the maintenance of the structure.

    exploited roof- more interesting and more difficult. In addition to direct protective functions, such a roof plays the role of an additional usable area for the homeowner. The construction pie ends not with waterproofing (prone to damage), but with a protective coating - paving stones, decking, wood decking, paving slabs, sod layer, crushed stone or gravel.

    inverted roof- roof-reversible, a qualitatively different option. It can be both operated and non-operated. Its feature is the inverted order of the layers in the cake. If in a conventional roof the waterproofing is laid on top of the insulation, then in the inversion roof the opposite is true. Waterproofing lies under the insulation, and vapor barrier is generally excluded from the structure of the pie. Due to this, the waterproofing is protected from the outdoor environment and its service life is increased.

    However, under the influence of unfavorable outdoor conditions, there is a heater, therefore, as part of inverted roofs, the choice of this type of insulation is limited. Only EPS (extruded polystyrene foam) and nothing else! This material has almost zero water absorption, high density and strength. From above, EPSS in inverted roofs is loaded with washed gravel, paving stones, paving slabs or a sod layer.


    An interesting option for operated roofs (including inversion ones) is green roof. It can also be held on wooden beams. The cake of such a roof ends with a soil layer on which plants are planted. There are other elements that are not used for other types of roofs: a drainage layer (gravel, expanded clay, crushed pumice or geomats), a filtration layer (geotextile).

    Flat roof frame on a wooden base

    The frame of the described roofs are wooden beams, laid according to the type of interfloor overlap. Full-length sawn wood or multi-piece (glued) timber can be used. Often beams are made of boards with a section of 100x150 mm.

    Beams are laid with support on the walls, similar to interfloor ceilings. If the building is wooden or frame, then the beams rest on the upper crown of logs or the upper trim. If brick or block - then on a pre-fixed Mauerlat. As a Mauerlat, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or 150x100 mm is usually used. It is mounted on the upper belt of the walls using anchors or studs. To protect the wooden Mauerlat from the material of the walls, 1-2 layers of waterproofing (roofing material) are laid between them.

    On the beams, cuts are made under the Mauerlat, they are laid and fixed with metal corners or nails. The step between the beams is maintained 50-120 mm (depending on the calculated load).

    When installing beams, it is important to ensure a roof slope of 1-6 °. Despite the fact that the roof is called flat, it is not absolutely horizontal. A slight slope is necessary to ensure the movement of water to the drain and thus prevent it from stagnation.

    You can create the required slope in the following ways:

    1. Immediately lay the beams with the desired slope. Then, if a horizontal ceiling is supposed to be installed under the roof in the room, it is made suspended or sewn onto a horizontal crate.
    2. Lay the beams horizontally, and to maintain the required angle, nail wooden plates of different heights to them.
    3. Lay the beams horizontally, and form the corner due to the different thicknesses of the thermal insulation laid on top of the frame.
    4. Use beams with unequal height allowance.

    Most often, the first option is used, that is, beams with a slope are immediately laid. The easiest way to do this is to pin along the top bearing wall a strong run from a bar or board, which will lift the frame (beams) on one side. Instead of a cross purlin, you can also install short radial beams extending from the central double diagonal beam.

    Flat roof pie: what's inside?

    A flat roof cake on a wooden frame can have a different structure. There are many design options, many of them are posted on the Internet. And they will all work!

    Option 1. Roof with insulation over beams

    Flat roof insulation layers can be laid over the beams. For example, a proven working option (classic roof with insulation):

    • floor beams;
    • vapor barrier;
    • waterproofing material - polymer membrane.

    When using EPPS and PVC membranes in the structure at the same time, a separating layer (geotextile, fiberglass) must be laid between them. The matter is that these two materials are incompatible and at their direct contact there is a destruction of PVC.

    The polymer membrane is fixed on the insulation by a mechanical method or loaded with ballast. As a ballast, crushed stone or gravel is used (for all types of roofs), paving stones (for operated roofs), soil (for green operated roofs). However, when choosing a ballast, one should soberly evaluate the reliability wooden frame, its ultimate load.


    If the use of welded-on waterproofing or an EPDM membrane with adhesive fixation is supposed to be used as a finish coating, a change is made to the scheme discussed above. It consists in the fact that sheets of plywood, OSB or DSP are laid between the insulation and waterproofing.

    It turns out such a scheme:

    • floor beams;
    • vapor barrier;
    • insulation - EPPS, mineral wool;
    • sheets of plywood, OSB, DSP;
    • waterproofing material.

    The installation of built-up roofing traditionally requires the use of gas burner, therefore, according to existing fire regulations, it is unacceptable on wooden structures. Therefore, they act as follows. The first layer of waterproofing is nailed or glued to a wooden base, and the second layer is fused, as it should be. It is also convenient to use euroruberoid with a special adhesive base, for which cold installation is recommended without heating with a burner.

    Installation of a membrane roof on a wooden base is shown in the video plot:

    Option #2. Roof with inter-beam insulation

    Another principle for assembling a flat roof pie is associated with laying insulation in the inter-beam space. This option is more convenient than the first if EPDM membranes with adhesive fixation or welded roofing are used as waterproofing.


    The following roofing pie scheme is often used:

    • floor beams;
    • vapor barrier (between beams);
    • insulation (between the beams);
    • crate (if necessary);
    • solid sheathing made of plywood, DSP, OSB;
    • waterproofing.

    In principle, a similar system is used in the formation of classical pitched roofs.

    Option #3. Roof with internal insulation

    In this case, sheets of plywood, OSB or DSP are sewn onto the supporting structure (beams), and waterproofing is laid on them. The remaining insulating layers of the roofing cake are sewn from the side of the room.

    A draft ceiling (made of boards or sheet materials) is fixed on the beams, planks are screwed to it perpendicular to the supporting beams in increments of 40 cm. Styrofoam plates are placed between the planks, gluing them to mastic or glue. A vapor barrier film is sewn to the insulating layer. Close the insulating cake with a finishing ceiling.

    When constructing an inversion roof, you can use the following scheme (from bottom to top):

    • beams;
    • solid crate;
    • waterproofing;
    • separating layer (when using a PVC membrane as a waterproofing);
    • EPPS insulation;
    • separating layer - geotextile;
    • ballast, paving slabs, decking, etc.

    The principle of inverted roofing is often used for green roofs. For example, you can do this:

    What top coat to use?

    The wooden base of a flat roof, along with its advantages, also has features with a minus sign. This is an increased fire hazard and low bearing capacity (compared to reinforced concrete slabs).

    For waterproofing such a roof, it is desirable to use materials that do not require hot installation. Ideally - polymer membranes. When choosing built-on bitumen-polymer coatings (from a series of euroroofing materials), the first layer of material is mounted mechanically, and the second - by welding. In order to minimize the possibility of fire of structures during installation, it is recommended to use non-combustible DSP boards as a continuous sheathing (on which waterproofing is laid).

    When constructing exploitable and ballast roofs, it should also be remembered that excessive load on a wooden base can be fatal. Therefore, if the bearing capacity of the beams used is low, light materials should be selected for the finish coating - decking, deck board, rubber paving slabs(rubber mats), etc.

    By itself, a well-insulated truss truss made of wooden blocks cannot create the cozy atmosphere that occurs under a monolithic roof. Reason: roof elements made of porous concrete or bricks not only have thermal insulation properties - they accumulate heat. Thus, a monolithic roof is a good alternative to traditional wooden beams.

    The most expensive part of the construction work for the construction of a monolithic roof falls on the stage preceding the laying of the slabs. Whereas in the support of a construction truss of wooden beams, in the worst case, linings can be made, and the gable walls take their final form later, in a monolithic roof there is hardly any room for correction later. Therefore, when erecting monolithic roof supports, you need to do the work very meticulously. Even when determining the right angles of the horizontal projection, you need to spend a lot of effort. But if the building is characterized by beveled corners and balconies, then it is necessary to repeatedly and with mathematical accuracy double-check the angles of the roof and the position of the ridge ridge.

    It is best to pull the cords in the plane of the support plates. Each block is first fitted dry and the line of curvature of the supports is marked. Cutting blocks is very easy and simple, especially if you build from porous concrete and have a band saw at your disposal.

    If a reinforced concrete ring anchor is needed as a support for the slabs, the work can be difficult, since the connecting fittings are removed from the support, which then must fit into the gaps between the slabs with accuracy. In this case, the cooperation of a construction expert is recommended. The formwork for the ring anchor is made from the side of thin blocks. Then the reinforcement of the ring anchor is coupled with the connecting reinforcement and poured with concrete. Moisten the masonry walls first. Tip: the static will calculate whether to build a masonry support or make it concrete.

    With a monolithic roof, supports and formwork are unnecessary

    After the cast-in-place roof slab supports are in place, you lay the precast units together with two assistants and a construction consultant from the cast-in-place roof supplier. Within a few hours the roof is covered.

    The roof slabs consist of reinforced porous concrete or reinforced brick elements, which have full load-bearing capacity already on delivery. Therefore, with a monolithic roof, supports and formwork are unnecessary.

    Typically, porous concrete monolithic roof slabs rest on gable walls and load-bearing internal walls. Any roof slope and almost any span are feasible. But for production reasons, prefabricated blocks can only have a maximum length of 6 m. If large spans are to be spanned, then reinforced concrete beams and steel I-beams are needed, which you already know from porous concrete floors (p. 57). While reinforced concrete beams under the roof, like large lintels, cross the room and are visible, steel supports can be built into the plane of the slab and later completely invisible. In this way, monolithic roof structures are produced for almost every plan.

    In a monolithic roof, windows can also be built into the roof plane. In any case, this is only done with a custom-made steel frame. Such a steel construction part is in most cases supported by the side walls and serves as a reliable support for those roof slabs that have been separated in order to construct a window in the roof plane. The larger the window should be, the more expensive the frame will cost.

    Tip: Windows in the roof plane can be made from a steel frame near load-bearing internal walls running parallel to the gable if the separated roof slabs respectively have at least two supports (on the gable and on the internal wall). The roof slabs are then laid as cantilever slabs (similar to balcony slabs, page 60) without the need for a steel frame. A self-construction consultant will help you with detailed planning.

    The monolithic roof support is being prepared: lay the blocks dry and mark the roof slope.

    The sawn block is placed, as usual, on a thin layer of mortar.

    Now prefabricated blocks of a monolithic roof are delivered to the top by a truck crane.

    The easiest way to cover large runs is with I-beams.

    Custom-made steel frames allow windows to be built into the roof plane.

    After laying the roof slabs, its edge is lined.

    Carrier boxes with curtain shutters can be built into the ring anchor. Discuss the details with the static.

    Steel bars should be placed in the gaps between the prefabricated blocks of the slabs.

    It is already possible to concrete the ring anchor, then fill the gaps with mortar.

    Now start laying wooden beams. Align the roof overhang with the cord.

    Wooden beams are fixed with bolts and nails in accordance with the calculation of the static load parameters.

    It goes without saying that a chimney sweep hatch can also be made in a monolithic roof. In this case, load transfer, which is already known from the construction of a pipe passage in a porous concrete floor, will help.

    Important: retroactively embedding a window in the plane of a monolithic roof is completely excluded. A monolithic roof (just like a floor slab) is a building block whose load-bearing capacity is guaranteed in a single system for calculating static load parameters.

    A reinforced concrete ring anchor is being built around the monolithic roof

    Now the roof slabs are laid and the lining of its edge begins. This work is familiar to you from building a floor from prefabricated blocks. From the inside, heat-insulating plates are placed on the side blocks, then the ring anchor is assembled and concreted (use spacers and moisten the masonry). Before the gaps between the plates are filled with mortar, steel bars are placed in them. By the way, the ring anchor is also carried out under the roof ridge.

    Now we are talking about roofing. If the space under the roof is to be used later as a living space, additional thermal insulation is required. First, a wooden beam is placed with an edge on the roof slabs. In this case, a beam with a cross section corresponding to the thickness of the insulating material must be selected: the beams must be at least 4 cm higher than the thickness of the insulating material. This space will later be used for ventilation. The thickness of the thermal insulation for a group with a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.35 is from 5 to 8 cm (approximate values). Note: Ask your consultant how thick the thermal insulation should be.

    Let's get back to the installation of wooden beams. There should be up to two connecting elements with a monolithic roof per one meter of length. At the same time, to facilitate work, it is enough to make every third connection with dowels and screws. Other connecting elements are nailed. When in doubt, ask the static how connections should be made in your case. Tip: pre-drill the holes. Not only for bolts, but also for nails. Thermal insulation is laid between the wooden beams. The following steps are comparable to those for the construction of a conventional wooden truss: a film is laid over the wooden structure that is permeable to the diffusion of water vapor, which is reinforced with counter-planks. A transverse crate is placed on top. Then a gutter is installed and the roof is made. The minimum distance from the slightly sagging underlay film to the thermal insulation is 2 cm.

    Monolithic roof: options

    Many people are used to thinking that it is customary to build flat roofs only on multi-storey buildings and industrial buildings. However, recently this type of roofing has been increasingly used in the construction of private houses. A flat roof in a private house is built without difficulty, given modern technology and a variety of building materials.

    There are 4 types of them:

    • Exploited. The main feature of this type is a fairly powerful base, otherwise there is a possibility of damage to the waterproofing layer. Decking or concrete screed, acting as a base, allow you to create the necessary slope for arranging a drain. Thermal insulation on such a roof must be resistant to serious loads. All this is done in order to use the roof of the house in any capacity, whether it be a work site or a recreation area.
    • Unexploited. Here, the rigidity of the base of the flat roof structure is not as important as in the above embodiment. And the strength of the insulation also does not play a significant role. This roof is cheaper than the exploited one, but it will also last a shorter period.
    • Traditional. A feature of their device is the periodicity of the layers - waterproofing goes above thermal insulation. Here, there is a reinforced concrete slab at the base, and an inclined expanded clay concrete screed is used for the drain.
    • Inversion. The device of a flat roof in this embodiment has practically no problems with water leaks. Here, the thermal insulation is above the waterproofing, which gives the latter protection from ultraviolet rays and the effects of temperature fluctuations. Such a roofing device turns out to be the most durable and functional, which opens up a lot of opportunities for using the roof space.

    Important! Angles in the range of 3 to 5 degrees are considered optimal for the slope of the inversion type of a flat roof.

    Advantages and disadvantages of this design

    A flat roof in a private house, like other types of roofs, has a number of pros and cons. It is worth considering the advantages that determine its popularity in modern construction:

    • Smaller area than other types of roofing - and this saves effort and money;
    • Convenience and safety of work - it is quite difficult to fall from a straight horizontal surface, and all the necessary tools are at hand;
    • Rapid construction - as a consequence of the first two advantages, such work is done much faster;
    • Ease of maintenance and replacement of roofing - the dismantling of worn parts is usually not carried out, but a new cake is laid directly on the old one;
    • The use of additional territory - the arrangement of an exploited roof opens up great prospects;
    • It is possible to install transparent roof elements - the view of the open sky on the ceiling is extremely tempting for many;
    • Giving your home clear geometric shapes - if the drawing of the house allows, then you can give it a unique look with the help of such a design, especially considering that minimalism is now extremely popular.

    It is also worth mentioning the disadvantages of this design:

    • Snow and leaves accumulate periodically - sometimes mechanical cleaning of the roof is required;
    • A more complex structure - the presence of gutters suggests their inevitable blockages, especially in bad weather;
    • Regular control - the humidity of the insulation and the general condition of the roof must be constantly checked;

    Not surprisingly, some people may have doubts about the reliability of this type of structure. But judging by the experience of the owners of private houses with a similar roof both in Russia and abroad, this type of roof functions successfully and pleases its owners.

    Do-it-yourself flat roof installation

    Now on the Internet you can find a lot of photos of houses with flat roofs of a wide variety of designs. Interested in the question of how to make a flat roof with your own hands? Before you build a roof, you must first familiarize yourself with the drawing of the house and make sure of its technical characteristics.

    The design features of a flat roof depend on many factors. If this is an unheated room and the roof is built with your own hands, then it is enough to install support beams, on which the base is then laid from uncut boards fastened with self-tapping screws or nails. When installing a flat roof on a garage, roofing material often acts as a waterproofing due to its cheapness. Strips of roofing material are applied in the direction of the slope of the roof, fixing them with wooden or steel slats. A do-it-yourself flat roof for an unheated room is created quite easily - here all the work can be done by one person without anyone's help.

    When installing a flat roof on a private house that is planned to be heated, the following procedure is usual:

    • Installation of floor beams. Strict observance of the horizontal is required. Here and in subsequent stages, the participation of several workers will be required.
    • Flooring installation. Usually an uncut board with a thickness of no more than 5 cm is taken.

    Important! The size of the lumber section increases in proportion to the distance between the support beams.

    • Waterproofing installation.
    • Thermal insulation laying. In this case, the filling insulation is reinforced with a concrete screed, which dries for a couple of days.
    • After the screed dries, a bitumen-based primer is applied to it, then roofing material is laid and glued.

    The structure of the roofing pie

    In order to make the roof reliably protected from moisture, it is necessary to place materials in layers one above the other - this arrangement is extremely important. The standard base is made of concrete slabs or profiled metal. It is able to support the weight of the entire structure above, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions, which, in turn, transfer it to the foundation of the house.

    Important! The operated roof should have the most solid foundation.

    Then come the standard layers: vapor barrier, thermal insulation and waterproofing. When choosing a flat roof, you should be guided by the preferences of the owner and the capabilities of the building itself. From a huge cottage to a small cozy house built many years ago, flat-roofed houses will be reliably protected from various environmental influences for many years to come.

    The construction of a gable or hip roof is not always rational and expedient when it comes to outbuildings, industrial and commercial facilities, and sometimes private houses in a modern style. High material consumption, a complex truss system make the construction of these structures an economically unprofitable, protracted undertaking. While flat roof projects greatly reduce construction costs, build quickly and are suitable for almost any structure.

    A house with a flat roof is reliably protected from increased wind load. However, without slopes, it cannot quickly drain rain and melt water from the roof surface.

    The situation is complicated by the fact that the surface of roofing materials has a rough structure that does not allow moisture and snow to slide off freely. Therefore, a do-it-yourself flat roof device must comply with the stringent requirements of building codes for waterproofing, ramping and construction technology.

    The structure of the roofing pie

    The need for a high level of protection against moisture makes it necessary to arrange flat roof roofing materials in layers, one above the other, forming the so-called "pie". If we consider its device in section, we can see the following layers:

    1. Flat base made of concrete slabs or profiled metal sheets. It provides structural rigidity, bears the weight of the roofing pie, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions and, as a result, to the foundation. At the exploited roof, the base should be as rigid as possible.
    2. vapor barrier. A layer that is necessary in order to protect a flat roof from the penetration of vapors from internal heated rooms into the thickness of the insulation. Settling on thermal insulation in the form of condensate, water irrevocably reduces its insulating properties by more than two times. As the simplest vapor barrier, polyethylene film or bitumen-based coatings are used.
    3. insulation. For thermal insulation of a flat roof, backfill materials are used, such as expanded clay, perlite, slag, rolled, for example, mineral wool and in the form of plates, in particular expanded polystyrene. By the way, insulation is used not only to regulate the temperature regime, but also to flatten a house with a flat roof. The main requirements for insulation are low hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity, light weight.
    4. Waterproofing. A flat roof allows the use of rolled materials for protection from moisture: bitumen, polymer and bitumen-polymer. In addition to high waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to temperature extremes, elasticity, and long service life.

    Types of roofing and the nuances of their installation

    The device of a flat roof determines the design and nature of use. The following are distinguished into separate types that require a special approach during construction:



    Roof installation for unheated buildings

    If a flat roof is erected with your own hands for an unheated utility room, for example, a shed, gazebo, shed or extension, the slope is organized using support beams.

    They are installed at an angle of 3 degrees, which is 30 mm per linear meter of the length of the beam. Then a base of unedged boards is laid on the beams, fixing them with nails or self-tapping screws.

    Roofing material is used as a waterproofing agent - the most affordable material. It is produced and sold in the form of rolls. Carry out the cutting of the waterproofing, cutting the strips so as to lay them in the direction of the slope of the flat roof.

    Roofing material strips are gradually laid with an overlap of 10-15 cm and fixed with wooden slats or steel slats every 60-70 cm in the direction of the drain, so as not to block the path of flowing moisture. The flat roof of an unheated room is easily mounted by one's own hands, even by one worker without the help of helpers.

    Roof installation for heated buildings

    If they are building a private house with a flat roof, which they plan to connect to the heating system, then the work takes place in the following order:



    To build a house with a flat roof, the length of which exceeds 6 m, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or more, or a steel I-beam, is used for the manufacture of support beams.

    Monolithic concrete roof

    Another option, how to build a flat roof with your own hands, is the use of monolithic concrete. The process looks like this:



    Decline process

    - the device of a small angle of the roof surface for organizing a drain. Before building a house with a flat roof, it is better to decide in advance which drain you will install, internal or external, and make a drawing.

    If provided, the water should drain with the help of a slope into the water-catching funnels, which are located 1 per 25 sq.m or more often. If you make an external drain, then moisture should fall into the gutter. The slope is formed by the following methods:



    A flat roof without a proper slope is an unreliable shield between you and the weather. Moisture that has no way out will accumulate on the surface of the roof, provoke the destruction of the roof and leaks.

    Video instruction

    The townsfolk often use two completely different words - roofing and roof - in the same meaning. In fact, this cannot be done. And any experienced builder will explain to everyone that under the roof in this area they mean everything that is in the room, that is, above the living space, which is usually called the attic. But the roof is understood as the uppermost part of the building, that is, the roof covering itself, which is irrigated with all kinds of precipitation, closes the inside of the house from piercing winds and hot sunlight.

    The roof of the house protects from external natural factors, such as: rain, wind, snow, so you should think about a durable and high-quality roof of your house.

    However, it must be remembered that before you think about creating a roof, you must first arrange a roof. That is why, first of all, you need to find out the rules of how to do it yourself with a residential building or non-residential, but no less in need of coverage, premises. Although it sounds proud - he made the roof with his own hands, but any person capable of abstract thinking will understand that it will not only be difficult, but most likely impossible to cope with such a difficult task alone.

    Main types of roofs

    Varieties of roof shapes. The most common single-pitched and gable roofs.

    Experts call only 2 types of roofs, which are considered the main ones in construction. These are flat and pitched. And from the point of view of the materials used in this case, and from the point of view of the construction technology, they differ fundamentally from each other.

    In order to make a roof of any type, you will need the following tools and materials:

    • nails;
    • bars;
    • board for crates;
    • ruberoid;
    • hacksaw;
    • a hammer;
    • choline;
    • roofing material.

    How is a flat roof made?

    Flat roofs, which we see mainly in industrial plants, factories, and, of course, on residential buildings, you can build with your own hands.

    Concrete slabs are considered the main material from which a flat roof can be made, and it’s impossible to build such a roof on a high-rise building, whatever one may say.

    Flat roof structure.

    Unless, of course, you are Hercules or a Titan, who is able to hold the vault of heaven and can compete in strength with heavy construction equipment. But if you need to make a roof for some adjoining building such as a cellar or garage, then almost any man will be able to build a flat roof on his own. Provided that the roof will be assembled from small elements or will be a monolith of reinforced concrete.

    A type-setting flat roof is made as follows: we lay beams on the walls of the building to be covered, which can be made of metal or wood. They will serve as carriers, on which the main load of the roof will subsequently fall. At this stage, you need to pay considerable attention to how thick the installed beams will be. After all, they have to hold not only the weight of the roofing material, but also the weight of snow, which is absolutely inevitable in the conditions of the Russian winter. Plus, the weight of at least one person who will have to clean this snow. Since it will not melt on its own for a long time, a flat roof does not imply snow rolling off on its own.

    Flat roof for unheated rooms

    An unheated structure, such as a barn, garage, gazebo, terrace or shed, involves a flat roof slope over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. To do this, the load-bearing beams are immediately installed with a slope. Then a wooden shield is laid over them, which is obtained by continuous laying of boards, on top of which roofing material is laid, which must be laid tightly to each other, thus constructing a kind of carpet. The higher the quality of the density of roof lining with roofing material, the lower the probability of its leakage.

    It is recommended to fasten the roofing material with the help of rails, which in any case can be replaced with metal strips. They are nailed at a distance of 60-70 cm from each other along the slope, and this will not interfere with the flow of water. We leave a slope of at least 3%. This means that for every m of roof length, at least 3 cm of elevation is made.

    flat roof for living quarters

    Fastening roofing material to a flat roof.

    Do-it-yourself flat roofs can also be made for heated buildings. In this case, you need to proceed as follows: the laid load-bearing beams are covered with a deck of wooden planks and already on top of it 1 layer of roofing felt or roofing material is laid. The overlap of the strips must be done at least 15 cm, a heater is poured over this layer, usually it is slag or expanded clay. With the help of a heater, a slope is formed in the direction where it will drain rainwater and dump snow. On the heater we perform a screed from cement mortar, the thickness of which should be at least 2 cm. We wait for the moment when the screed dries completely, and treat it with a bituminous primer, on which a rolled roofing felt carpet is glued.

    Monolithic flat roof made of concrete

    When constructing a monolithic concrete roof, I-beams are used in the form of support beams.

    For a successful installation of a flat roof made of monolithic concrete, it is necessary as load-bearing structures use metal I-beams. Considering the construction of a roof with a span of 4-5 m, experts recommend using beams whose height is approximately 12-15 cm. In the language of professionals, this sounds like the “fifteenth I-beam”. The concrete used to create a monolithic floor is better to buy ready-made, because. hand mixing concrete without using a concrete mixer will not allow you to achieve a uniform connection of all constituent components. The concrete will turn out to be heterogeneous, which will adversely affect the quality of the coating. To prepare concrete with your own hands you need:

    • 3 buckets of cement;
    • 4 buckets of sand;
    • 8 buckets of rubble.

    All this is kneaded using 2 buckets of water. Sometimes a little more water is required, so its amount can be adjusted independently.

    Next, boards are laid on the lower shelves of the beams, on top of which 1 layer of roofing material or roofing must be laid dry. Then the reinforcement is laid so that with its help a semblance of a grid with cells is formed, the approximate size of which should be equal to 2x2 cm. In order for the grid not to move during the laying of concrete, the bars at the intersections must either be welded together by electric welding, or connected wire, the diameter of which does not exceed 2 mm. It is also necessary to provide a small space between the mesh and the roofing felt, not less than 4 mm, so that the reinforcement is completely covered with concrete. To achieve this goal, small pieces of gravel should be placed under the grid. The prepared concrete is laid between the beams with a minimum layer of 15 cm.

    In the process of laying the monolith on the roof of the building, keep in mind that the strips between the beams must be filled in turn. Because this work, most likely, it will be delayed for more than one day, and in order to achieve the highest quality screed, it is impossible in any case to divide the concreting of one strip into several approaches. During this work, it is necessary to carefully compact the concrete with a vibrator, and if you do not have one, you can use a manual rammer. At the same time, you need to try very hard not to displace or damage reinforcing mesh laid in the base of the concrete screed.

    After the concrete is laid, builders recommend covering it with plastic wrap to prevent moisture from evaporating too quickly from the concrete. It is especially important to do this in hot summer weather. If this is not done, then the top layer of the roof will soon crack. endure concrete mix under the film you need at least 3 days, after which the film can be removed.

    After the concrete has completely dried, you can also proceed to the slope device, which is constructed with the help of a heater, the cement screed device and, in the end, the rolled carpet sticker. These steps are described above.

    From detailed description how to make a flat roof with your own hands, it is clear that there are no special technological difficulties here. Things are much more complicated with a pitched roof, the device of which requires high precision measurements in the manufacture of load-bearing structures, and then directly the roof. You can hardly cover it yourself, because the angle of inclination of the pitched roof is greater than that of a flat one.

    Pitched roof and its creation by one's own hands

    Pitched roofs are preferred to be built on low-rise buildings - private one-, two- and three-story houses, as well as summer cottages, small cottages and, of course, five-story "Khrushchev". Often, pitched roofs complete unique structures.

    A pitched roof that crowns a not very massive structure, for example, garden house, a bathhouse or a gazebo, you can do it yourself even if only 1 person will do this work. And if you decide to build a pitched roof on a fairly large building, then one is unlikely to manage here, you will have to call two or three assistants.

    How to make a pitched roof

    For the basis pitched roof they take rafters, with the help of which quite complex structures. In professional construction, this type of structure is called the well-known word "farms". As a rule, the rafters rest directly on the walls, but experts recommend installing a Mauerlat. In other words, a bar that is laid on a wall and fixed to it with anchors. And the rafters abut precisely against these bars, to which they are attached with metal brackets or in other ways that ensure a reliable connection of the supporting structures.

    The stages of creating a pitched roof involve the following sequence of actions:

    • install Mauerlat;
    • we strengthen the rafters;
    • we construct and install a ridge beam;
    • we make a crate.

    truss system shed roof for two spans of 6 meters.

    On the created crate, we lay the roof directly. During the construction of a roof of this type, they try to release the rafters beyond the edges of the walls, so that the roof overhang created at the same time protects the wall of the building from moisture getting on it, for example, during rain or when snow melts. The best option is the lengthening of the rafters themselves, on which you need to nail a board 2-3 cm thick. In the future, this board can be used as a base to which the overhang of the wind board will be hemmed.

    Rafters, as a rule, are assembled directly on the roof, having previously lifted the prepared elements on them and assembling them according to the approved scheme directly on the roof. There is another option for the complete assembly of a finished truss truss, which consists of 2 rafter legs, racks and, of course, puffs, right on the ground. Thereafter assembled structure, which has rather bulky dimensions, is lifted vertically exactly to the place where it should stand. This procedure cannot be done with your own hands, no matter how hard you try, so you will have to use the help of heavy equipment. After installing the farm on top of the house under construction, we attach it to the Mauerlat.

    Upon completion of the installation of the existing truss structures, you can begin to connect them using a ridge beam, and then do the crate.

    Creating a roof sheathing under the roof

    The construction of the frame of any roof is carried out in two stages: the installation of the truss structure and the implementation of the roof lathing.

    The easiest way to make a crate is from boards that are nailed “in a run”, that is, after a certain distance between them, or “solid”, when the boards are nailed close to each other. In order for this step not to be too costly, you can use edged lumber with a thickness of only 25 mm. Before strengthening the boards on the roof, they must be thoroughly cleaned of bark residues. To nail the battens to the rafters, nails of 70 mm are used. Boards, as a rule, are not perfectly even, so in the case of a device solid battens they will need to be adjusted on the spot with an ax to reduce the gaps between them.

    The design of those elements that are used for the crate, and their dimensions depend on what roofing materials you plan to use in your work. If your roof will be covered with metal tiles, then an unedged board is undesirable for use. It is better to replace it with a beam, which must be nailed “in a run”, at a distance equal to the wave of the roofing material used.

    Those who use ondulin or various kinds of bituminous tiles make the crate as follows: purlins are nailed to the rafters from a bar, the size of which is 40x50 mm, at a distance of about 50 cm. This solution will be successful for those who plan, for example, to create a living room instead of an attic. Such a solution is called mansard roof, thanks to which it turns out to successfully increase the living area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house.

    When building your home, building a roof is one of the most important tasks. We propose to discuss how a flat roof is made in a private house with your own hands from corrugated board, its installation, insulation and drainage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this type of roofing.

    Design features of a flat roof

    Modern private builders rarely use flat roofs to cover private buildings, dwellings, mainly these are surfaces that can be used to cover a gazebo, the surface of a garage, a bathhouse and other utility rooms. Mainly a flat roof is used for multi-storey residential buildings, where, due to design features, it is impossible to build a gable roof.

    Photo - Flat roof roofing pie

    Projects of houses and cottages with a flat roof are distinguished by originality and eclecticism. In addition, you can equip a special roofing cake, thanks to which the lack of attic (inter-roofing) space will play into your hands. There are such types of flat roofs:



    Photo - Flat roof waterproofing

    There is also a flat combined roof - when the roof combines several of the listed types. For example, inversion and traditional.

    pros flat roof:

    1. Very simple design, there are no special principles for installing rafters, frames and other beams;
    2. Easy calculation of roofing materials;
    3. You can use the surface of such a roof as a foundation for installing various systems directly on the roof: satellite dishes, winter gardens, solar panels, etc.;
    4. Smaller area, unlike a shed or attic (no need for wide overhangs).

    But minuses flat non-attic roof are more significant:

    1. Due to the lack of an angle of inclination, it often leaks. Shed, gable and other sloping types of roofs do an excellent job of independently draining water, but for a flat one you need to build a special drain;
    2. Several times a year, a country house will need to be cleaned from the accumulation of foliage and snow on the roof;
    3. Often the funnels of the internal drain freeze due to the lack of an attic.

    But still, in view of economy, the disadvantages that a flat roof has are not very significant compared to its advantages.

    Video: flat roof

    How to choose a material for a flat roof

    Properly selected roofing materials for a flat roof are half the success of the entire construction of a house. Of course, you can stop at a profiled sheet, but it is worth noting that in this case it is necessary to think about how snow removal and drainage will be carried out. The fact is that from the constant exposure to atmospheric precipitation, the metal coating can rust and go out of service earlier than the period declared by the manufacturers.

    The roof covering must be perfectly resistant to moisture. Here will serve well:

    1. Decking with a polymer coating;
    2. Polycarbonate;
    3. Slate;
    4. Mastics.

    Let's consider what material for a flat roof is more often used. Construction mastics most commonly used on residential buildings. These are special liquid coatings that are applied to the surface of the roof with a brush, and then solidify, forming an airtight solid that looks like rolled materials. They perfectly resist high temperatures - up to 70 degrees, but can crack at low temperatures - up to 25.

    Photo - Flat roof

    Polycarbonate is more reliable and beautiful than mastics, but it is much more expensive. Its main advantage is its external similarity with glass, so it can be used to create a stylish roof that will emphasize your financial condition. In addition, it is polycarbonate that is chosen for the design of residential buildings.

    Slate previously used for any type of roof, regardless of its slopes. It is very heavy, so to install it, you need to carefully consider the frame and foundation of the building - so that the house does not “settle”. The load that slate puts on the rafters is perfectly compensated by its durability indicators: it can last up to 50 years in medium-aggressive environments with strong pressure and temperature drops. Now it can be replaced by aerated concrete, which is lighter.

    Decking polymer coated is an almost ideal material for covering a flat roof. A dacha, a greenhouse and a house with such a surface may not be afraid of temperature changes, ultra-low degree indicators, but a snow cushion is fatal for them. It is necessary to ensure that the metal is periodically cleaned of precipitation, so work out natural cleaning systems.



    Photo - Flat roof made of corrugated board

    More rarely, but still, a wooden flat roof is used. Its durability indicators are relatively low, but the tree will help protect the roofing material or the same mastics. Timber roofs are mainly used in complex design projects.

    Flat roof installation

    Consider how a flat exploited roof is installed on square houses, as well as how to insulate this type of coating.

    A flat roof is a universal type of construction, it has an excellent combination of price and quality, but there are significant drawbacks in the form of a complex gutter system. When choosing such a roof, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages very well.

    Before we understand whether it is possible to equip the roof with our own hands, we will try to make out what a roof is and how it differs from a roof, because people often confuse these two concepts. Secondly, even a professional cannot cope with the installation of the roof, and even more so the roof alone, so find one or two assistants. Otherwise, the result will not please.

    Do-it-yourself erected roof: differences between a roof and a roof

    Often people who have nothing to do with construction confuse roofing and roofing, even though these are two radically different categories. The roof is just what is above the living space, and the roof is installed on top of the roof, that is, the roof is the material that covers the house, for example, tiles, roofing felt, and much more. The roof can be flat and pitched, while it is worth noting that you can forget about the do-it-yourself pitched version, as this is a complex process that requires serious professional miscalculations. To work with concrete you will need special equipment, by the way, today renting a concrete mixer is very rational decision, because the purchase for private construction is not justified.

    Therefore, only specialists will be able to do this process. Moreover, even the master cannot cope with this process alone, only with the help of additional members of the team, at least three people must be present to achieve a high-quality result. A flat roof is most often an installation of a monolithic slab, which requires heavy equipment, which also does not lend itself to self-fulfillment. But a self-leveling flat roof made of monolithic concrete will become available.

    Do-it-yourself flat roof made of monolithic concrete

    Mounting a monolithic concrete roof requires only physical strength and at least a little understanding of the construction process. To begin with, install I-beams, preferably 12 or 15 millimeters. Then lay the boards tightly and lay the roofing material on a dry one, then lay the reinforcement up and down, you should get a grid with cells of 20 * 20 centimeters, weld the intersections with electric welding. Now pour concrete. To create it, it is better to use a concrete mixer, manually it will not reach the required consistency. Smooth it out and let it dry. That's all.

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