ROOF (FUNCTION and PARTS)

ROOF
TYPES, FUNCTIONS AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFS
Roof of a house refers to the frame work of timber steel or concrete on which a covering of thatch
corrugate sheets, asphalt etc.
Function of a Roof
A roof on the top of a building fulfills important functions like:
 Keeping out the rain and wind

 Providing shade from the sun
 Keeping the interior cool
 Retaining heat in cold weather
 Ensure that the structure is properly weighted down
 Appearance
Roofs Pitch or Roof Slopes
Pitched – The pitched roof is often a popular choice. The main supporting structure is timber
which is easy to transport. A pitched roof is stable in most weather and it slopes disposing of rain water
quickly
Parts of a pitched roof
Three parts of a pitched roof affects the structural design:
1. Span
2. Pitch
3. Run
4. Roof covering
Span—The span is the distance between the edges of the external walls that support the roof. The
structure of the roof becomes more complex as the span increases.
Pitch—The pitch is the angle of the slope of the roof measured from the horizontal. A steeper pitch
needs more roof covering material, which increases the weight to be supported. The surface area
affected by wind is also greater. The roof needs to be strong enough to allow for these factors.
Run— the amount inches vertically that the roof pitch rises for every 12 inches the roof run horizontally
Roof covering—The roof covering material varies from lightweight sheets that weight about 12kg/ m 2 to
plain clay tiles that weight 65 kg/ m2.
Categories or roof slopes or pitches
FLAT SLOP up to in 12
LOW SLPOE 1 to 3 in 12
MEDIUM SLOPE 4 to 7 in 12
HIGH SLOPE 7 to 12 in 12
Roof structures must be designed to carry:
i. Dead Loads eg. Sheathing A. C. equipments
ii. Live Loads eg.Accumulated snow, rain
iii. Wind Loads eg. Pressures or suction from winds
Gable Roof – in this type of roof the ends of the roof enclose the end walls. The triangle walls verges is
called the gable ends
Hipped Roof – A hipped roof is form when two roof slopes meet at right angles.
Lean- To – Roof – this roof has a single pitch that rest against a single wall.
Mono-Pitched Roof – This roof has a pitch in one direction the ridge does not rest against anything.
Type of Roof
1. Flat Roof – Flat roof are usually constructed of timber or concrete. The essential component of
flat roofs include 150mm x 60mm roof joist which are built and bear on walls.
Eaves: The eaves are the lower edges of the roof that overhang the home’s exterior
walls
TWO PARTS OF EAVES
THE SOFFIT
Soffits act as ventilated coverings for the space in your roof overhang that leads directly to the attic.
They can assist with moisture and heat regulation by allowing additional airflow into the attic and the top
floor. What’s more, soffits also help prevent your eaves from getting infested with insects, small animals,
and other pests.
THE FASCIA
If you look directly at the eaves of a building, you should notice a trim between the roof and the soffit.
This piece is called a fascia board, and it sits parallel to a house’s siding, so it faces outward and away
from your home, while a soffit faces downward.
Fascia boards are a crucial part of a home’s trim, making them aesthetically important, but they have
practical benefits, too. They provide additional support for the roof and its gutter system. Without these
boards, the outermost shingles of your roof can warp or droop, and your gutters might tilt, loosen, or
even fall.
THE PURPOSES OF EAVES
1. Protection of roof members
2. Protection of walls/Temperature Control
Eaves can shade your windows from the sun, especially during the hot summer months, to help
your exterior maintain a comfortable temperature
3. Help with appearance/ Aesthetic Appeal
The eaves of a home can hold a considerable influence over its style and even general structure.
4. Ventilation & Weather Protection
Eaves don’t just protect bystanders from bad weather; they also prevent rain, snow, and other
debris from damaging a house’s façade by directing it away from the building.
Components of a roof
1 Common Rafter – This is a sloping timber extended from the eaves to the ridge in a pitched
roof.
2. Eaves- this is the overhanging of the lowest part of a sloping roof that extends beyond the
home’s exterior walls
A Gable end is formed when the wall is carried up to the underside of the roof
3. Hip – the hip is a point where two inclined roof surfaces meet to form an external angle which
exceeds 180ْº.
4. Hip end – this is a sloping triangular end of a hipped roof.
5. Jack Rafter – this is a short rafter and the hip eaves that spans the hip rafter of eaves of valley
in ridge.
6. Over Hang – this is the extension of the roof covering between the outer face of the wall and
the eaves line of verged.
7. Pitch – Pitch is the angle formed by the slope of the roof
8. A purlins can be
i. A horizontal timber member that provides support to the rafters
ii. A timber member spanning between roof trusses that supports roof sheets
9. Ridge– this is the highest part or apex of the roof. The horizontal piece of timber forming the
ridge at which the common rafter meet is called the ridge piece
10. Rise– this is the vertical distance from the wall plate to the ridge.
11. Run – this is one half of the span. It is measured from the center of the span to the inside of
either wall.
12. Slope– this is usually given in degrees and refers to the inclination of the outer__?? Roof to the
horizontal.
13. Valley– the opposite of a hip is formed when two sloping roof surfaces meet over an internal
angle toward which water flow.
14. The Verge – this is the edge of a sloping roof which over hangs a gable
15. Soffit– this is the horizontal board that can be fixed to finish the roof structure at the eaves
16. Covering– this is the external material that is laid over the roof structure to protect the inside of
the building.
17.Ties—wood used to tie roof together to stop the roof from squatting open.
18. Fascia—a/any horizontal material that covers the end of a rafter or joist
19. Common rafter—a whole/full rafter that is fastened to the ridge board and the fascia
20. Underlayment—a/any material that is installed over a roof or floor sheathing but under
the finish material. With roof this material will make the building “dried-in”

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ROOF

TYPES, FUNCTIONS AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFS

A roof on the top of a building fulfills important functions like:

 Keeping out the rain and wind

Roofs Pitch or Roof Slopes

Parts of a pitched roof

Three parts of a pitched roof affects the structural design:

Categories or roof slopes or pitches

Roof structures must be designed to carry:

i. Dead Loads eg. Sheathing A. C. equipments

ii. Live Loads eg.Accumulated snow, rain

iii. Wind Loads eg. Pressures or suction from winds

TWO PARTS OF EAVES

THE PURPOSES OF EAVES

1. Protection of roof members

2. Protection of walls/Temperature Control

3. Help with appearance/ Aesthetic Appeal

4. Ventilation & Weather Protection

4. Hip end – this is a sloping triangular end of a hipped roof.

7. Pitch – Pitch is the angle formed by the slope of the roof

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