Roof gables: what it is, why you need it and how to make it?

To properly build a gable roof in a private house, you need to correctly approach the installation and decoration of the pediment. This detail, along with the roof system, ramps and roof covering, is the most important in the construction of housing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider in greater detail the pediment of the roof, what it is, why it is needed and how to make it yourself.

The pediment is an end side of the gable roof, bounded by slopes on the sides and the wall of the house below. This detail simultaneously closes the attic part of the house, protecting it from cold, moisture and other adverse effects, and forms the architectural appearance of the entire building along with the roof and walls. If the slopes have the same length and angle of inclination to the horizon, then the gables in shape represent an isosceles triangle, this type is most often encountered.But there may be options with different sides and slopes, if the ridge is offset from one of the sides of the roof.

From the side of the street gables subject to finishing, on the draft flooring and partitions fasten decorative facing materials. Choosing them correctly is an important task, because together with the walls they will form the “face” of a country house. Bottom, in the place of junction of the gable to the wall is placed visor. On its lateral sides are gable overhangs. This is a continuation of the roof slopes, which goes into the eaves. Gable overhangs are often a continuation of the truss system, they protrude a certain distance above the wall and additionally protect it from rain and snow.

Any kind of pediment in a country house will perform several useful functions:

• it protects the whole house from moisture and gusts of wind;
• makes the roof frame more rigid and stable;
• pediment, equipped with insulation, allows you to equip a comfortable living room under the roof;
• performs decorative functions.

Often the attic space in a country house is equipped as a living room, workshop, pantry or attic. In this case, windows or even a small balcony are arranged in the gable walls. Such a construction is more complicated, but as a result, wonderful architectural projects can be realized. In order to decide on the choice of a pediment for the roof in your house, it is necessary first of all to study their types and possible materials for construction.

In order of construction, gables for a private house with a gable roof can be installed before the assembly of the truss system and after it. In the first case, the surface of the gable itself is a continuation of the wall. These are, for example, variants of buildings made of brick or gas silicate blocks, which are quite common. The gables in them are a kind of continuation of the side wall, only after their erection the roof system is mounted and the roof with external coating is laid. Another similar example is chopped gables, which are a continuation of the wall in a log house.

The second version of the design, when on the finished walls of the building (brick, concrete,wooden) installed truss system of wooden bars, only then is the device and the exterior trim gables and roofing. Such projects are very common, especially for the climate of the middle zone, if the roof is gable. When installing them, it is necessary to make a lower visor.

The world architecture presents a large number of forms of gables: triangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, loosened, torn, stepped and others. It is worth considering only those that are used in the construction of country houses, and which can be built and sheathed independently.

The isosceles triangle as the shape of the gable for the simplest gable roof, is most common in the temperate climate of the middle zone. The gable plane is strictly vertical and perpendicular to the ground. The most common angles to the horizontal are 15, 30, and 45 degrees. Such a construction of the form is not accidental - the steepness of the slopes makes it possible not to accumulate snow and precipitation on the surface, the roof does not sag under the weight of the snow cover.In more southern latitudes, small angles of inclination are common - from 15 degrees, to the north, this figure increases.

A triangle with different angles of inclination of the slopes is less commonly used in the construction of gables, but the construction of such ceilings is not much more complicated. But the symmetrical figure looks more harmonious for a country house. Most often, with a standard project for a prefab frame house, you have to make 2 approximately identical gables, they can differ only in shape and number of windows. If the roof of the house has a more complex structure, for example, T-shaped, you will have to build 3 gables.

Pentagonal symmetrical gables are also widespread., especially when building modern residential country houses. In shape, they resemble a trapezoid on which an isosceles triangle is placed on top. Occupying a large area, they require a greater amount of insulating and finishing materials than triangular ones, the installation of rafters and partitions is somewhat more complicated. But with this approach to the construction of the roof, you can get a full and spacious attic room, it has the opportunity to make a spacious hall or a few living rooms.

For semi-hinged roofs of the Scandinavian or Dutch type, the gables are obtained in the form of an isosceles trapezium. This roof has a very original appearance, in addition, due to the streamlined design with beveled corners it protects against powerful gusts of wind. The pediment itself is not particularly difficult, while the work is similar to a triangular shape.

An interrupted gable has a more complex structure than triangular, rectangular or trapezoidal. It has a wide sloping eaves, which is interrupted on top of a horizontal partition or window. Mounting such a gable may cause difficulties, but the view is original.

The luchkovy or semicircular gable because of its uneven curved shape is rarely used in the construction of private houses. It is rather difficult to create arc-shaped elements of partitions, not to mention uneven roof slopes. But such projects exist, for example, for the construction of the roof of homestead arbors, outbuildings.

After the bearing walls of the building have been erected and the truss system has been built,You can take up the installation of the gable. For its manufacture use several common and reliable materials.

Clapboard - perhaps the most popular type of wooden gable. It represents long planed boards with grooves and ridges on the ends, which serve to connect them together. The boards are attached to the frame of the truss system using ordinary nails. Such work can be carried out not only by a professional carpenter, but also by any experienced owner - this is one of the main advantages of this affordable material. If necessary, you can cut off the necessary fragments of the wall paneling with an ordinary hacksaw.

Lining is made of various coniferous and hardwood, the most popular is pine, which has high strength, flexibility, ease of processing and a pleasant appearance. There are several varieties of this material: the first, second, third and extra. The presence or number of cracks, knots, wormholes, the probability of rotting and other parameters depends on the variety. For a durable and beautiful-looking pediment, it is best to select high-quality varieties of lining.So that it is not exposed to moisture and rot, it must be treated with an antiseptic, varnished.

The advantage of lining in the construction of a pediment is that it does not require any decorative finishing material, it itself has a pleasant appearance with expressive woody textures. The material is durable and durable with proper processing, environmentally friendly, preserves the appearance for a long time.

Partitions for gables can be made of ordinary wood. Different species are suitable for this: ash, beech, spruce, pine, oak, cedar and many others. It is necessary to take planed boards at least 1 cm thick with smooth edges. As a result, you can get good-quality walls with a pleasant exterior that do not need an external finish. The disadvantage is that no matter how flat the boards are, the gaps between them still remain, through them the wind will blow, cold and moisture will flow inside the house. Therefore, in any case, such gables will need warming.

Tree for all its merits it is not able to provide the required level of heat and dryness in the house, especially in winter. Even if the attic is not used, the non-insulated gable will let the cold through the ceiling to the first floor. Therefore, it is worth pre-purchase quality materials for thermal insulation, protection from steam and moisture.

Mineral wool as a protection against the cold is a very good material. It is easily cut into fragments, pushed into any corner, not subject to rotting. Its cost is lower than that of other heat insulators. But when laying mineral wool can cause irritation of the skin, this is recognized by its main drawback.

Styrofoam - also a relatively cheap material that is easily sewn into the cavity between the gable partitions. You can cut it with an ordinary painting knife. Insulation of foam can last a long time, while in the attic will be kept warm.

One of the most effective thermal insulation materials today recognize polystyrene foam. It is more expensive than other types, but it is easily processed and installed, protects against the penetration of cold and moisture, is not subject to mechanical damage.In addition, other effective materials can be used for thermal insulation of gables: penofol, penoplex, mounting foam for sealing gaps and others.

For installation of eaves and visor, you can use wood materials: boards, chipboard, picket fence or metals, for example, a profile sheet or metal tile.

The gables of a private house, depending on the roof system and the purpose of the attic, can be of different widths and heights. If the attic is not planned to be used at all, then for reliable protection from snow and precipitation it is enough to make a height of 0.8 m. To use the space under the roof as a storage room or other non-residential premises, increase the distance from the base to the ridge to 1-1.2 m Then with the equipment of the attic access there is easier access, it is possible to store the necessary things inside, but it will not be comfortable there for a long time.

When planning the construction under the roof of a full-fledged living room or attic, the height of the gable will reach 1.5 - 2 m. In this embodiment, mandatory isolation of the partition, installation of windows and ventilation is required.

In order to know how much material is required for the construction of one gable of a triangular shape, it is necessary to calculate its area. Make it elementary: the height is multiplied by the width of the base and is divided by 2. So in advance, you can calculate the cost of installing partitions on the roof and the dimensions of the blanks of timber or lining.

The removal of the roof is done to further protect the gable and attic space from precipitation and wind. The best is the release or front overhang of 40-60 cm. Usually it is a continuation of the truss system and roofing, so when installing them, you need to take into account these dimensions on both sides.

Independently make a strong and beautiful gable much easier than the roof frame and roof. When ready assembled rafters in the first place should be determined with the choice of the main, insulating and decorative finishing material.Immediately it is necessary to prepare the required number of fasteners, tools for work. Then you need to calculate the area of ​​two gables, and based on it, stock up on raw materials.

Installation of the gable partitions should be carried out only on sustainable forests.fixed on a flat horizontal platform. Since the installation takes place at a height, their presence is simply necessary for safety and effective fixing of the elements. Forests should be provided with scaffolds in the entire width in order to make it comfortable to move, to keep the boards and in a comfortable position to attach them to the frame.

Billets of the required length are cut on the ground. The elements of the gable are fastened from the bottom up - from the base to the ridge of the roof. If the height is large and it is difficult to reach the top elements, then another tier of forests should be collected for the convenience and safety of work, which is in the first place in importance.

After installation of the gable partition wall, it is necessary to fix the visor, put the windows and make a decorative finish.

If the finish of the pediment of polished and painted clapboard does not require the filing of any additional decorative materials, the rough boards or bars need a finishing coating. It should be in terms of gamma and texture harmoniously with the rest of the facade of the house. Several finishing materials for the roof gable are widespread.

Close the rough surface of the partition walls can siding. This remarkable facing material has recently gained immense popularity in the construction of country cottages. Siding is made of metal with a polymer or galvanized coating, asbestos cement or polyvinyl chloride. The color can be the most diverse, the texture is also different: glossy, matte, with corrugation and patterns. So to choose a coating in accordance with the overall design of the facade is not difficult.

The siding can be operated till 50 years, at the same time keeping the original state and a saturated shade. It has a relatively low price, is resistant to moisture, temperature extremes and mechanical damage. All modern species are reliably protected from oxidation, exposure to bacteria and other active chemical substances.In addition, this material is lightweight, which simplifies working with it, especially its ascent to the high tier of forests.

Before you mount the siding of polymers or metal on the gable, you may need to make a wooden crate, which will create a flat vertical plane. To install it, you can take 40x40 mm bars and fasten them to nails or screws. Elements of siding, depending on the destination, are of several types: starting profiles, trailing strips, corners, spotlights, chamfers, J, F and H profiles.

Siding installation begins with the starting profile at the bottom of the gable base. Between themselves, the elements are connected with the help of grooves and latches-latches on them. Fastening to the wooden crate occurs through the holes on the usual screws. Neighboring horizontal stripes can be connected by an H-profile. Upstairs is the final level. If necessary, siding parts are easily cut: metal - with scissors for metal, polymer - with a mounting knife.

Siding for facade work can be not only glossy with a variety of monotonous colors. There are products, repeating the structure of natural wood or logs,These are suitable for lining the gable of a house of uneven bars or a log cabin. For stone buildings there are options for brick, rubble, artificial stone.

It is possible to sew up unsightly draft boards of the gable by using the same clapboard. To do this, take decorative varieties with a protective coating. If the surface is flat, then the elements are simply closed in the grooves and nailed. If there is no vertical level, then it is necessary to make a batten and only then proceed to the lining of the clapboard.

It is possible to cheaply and quickly finish gables on the roof with plywood or laminated chipboard. These materials are not as reliable and resistant to weathering as the siding of polymers or metal. But as a budget or temporary version of the finish, they are quite suitable. Thin plywood without problems is cut and fastened to the rafters with ordinary nails, it is easy to lift up and fix. You can cut window openings, ventilation holes. Various coating color options make it possible to make any design.

For the installation of gable partitions and crates should be taken well dried,planed and even bars or boards. Masters recommend primarily pine as the highest quality and easiest to process material.

For decorative cladding is best to use horizontal siding. It is easier to install and looks very impressive on any facade.

Wind direction plays an important role in the construction of a country house. No matter how well the gable of the roof is isolated, it is optimal that it is located along the direction of the prevailing impulses and not perpendicular to it. In this case, both the attic and the ground floor are better weatherproof.

Visor at the base of the gable plays an important role, it will protect the ground floor wall from precipitation. It should be made of metal, profiled sheet, galvanized sheet and mounted to decorative finish.

No matter how simple the shape of the gable, before mounting it is worth creating its drawing with dimensions, window openings and other details.

How you can lay out a perfectly smooth gable, see the following video.