Construction of a half-hip roof with your own hands: design features, arrangement of the attic, drawings and photos

Constructing a DIY half-hip roof combines practical design with visual appeal, making it an enjoyable project. This type of roof combines the features of a hip and a gable, and is sometimes referred to as a jerkinhead roof or a Dutch gable. Its distinctive shape, which combines sloping sides with a gable-like top, provides stability and visual interest.

The layout of the attic space is one of the most important factors to take into account when building a half-hip roof. Because of its altered gable ends, the half-hip design, in contrast to traditional roofs, usually permits more usable attic space. Depending on your needs and local building codes, you can use this space for living areas, storage, or as an addition to the living portion of your house.

Comprehensive blueprints and drawings are necessary before construction can begin. These blueprints serve as a guide for the building process and guarantee that the roof satisfies structural specifications and blends in perfectly with the planned or existing structure. In-depth pictures and diagrams can offer visual clarity by showing how various parts work together and aiding in the visualization of the finished product.

Building a half-hip roof appeals to many do-it-yourselfers because it allows them to add flair and individuality to their house. Because of its adaptable design, a half-hip roof can be used to build new buildings or added to existing ones in order to accommodate a variety of architectural tastes and styles. Because of its versatility, it’s a well-liked option for homeowners who want to improve their home’s curb appeal and usability.

Topic Description
Introduction Overview of half-hip roofs and their benefits.
Design Features Key aspects of half-hip roof design, including angles and structural elements.
Attic Arrangement How to plan and arrange the attic space effectively.
Drawings Illustrative drawings showing the construction process.
Photos Real-life photos of half-hip roofs for visual reference.

Design and benefits

Structures with hipped ends that have been modified or shortened are referred to as "half-hip roofs" (you can learn more about how a hipped roof is built here). These roofs, in contrast to regular hipped and hipped types, have raised pediments, inserts with vertical dormers, and rest on the pediment walls.

The following are some benefits of this implementation:

  • Aesthetics, original appearance. Half-hip structures are designed taking into account the specifics of the building and decorate houses of any number of floors and style.
  • Variety of options offered.
  • The possibility of arranging a residential attic under the roof due to an increase in internal volume.
  • Good aerodynamic and insulating properties. Semi-hip structures usually have a large slope and do not retain precipitation.
  • Increased strength and resistance to seismic influences and vibration.

The project’s complexity and the rising cost of construction are its only drawbacks. When installing a half-hip roof, more lumber and coverings—particularly sheets—are needed, and there are stricter standards for both the quality of the materials and the professionalism of the labor force.

These kinds of structures can have more massive frames in some cases, which results in needless costs.

Rafter system

Typical components of these roofs consist of:

  • Supporting Mauerlat, which serves as the base of the frame and is laid under all roof slopes.
  • A system of diagonal, row and auxiliary rafters that form the planes of wide and hip slopes.
  • Supporting vertical drains supporting the ridge and resting on the deck or attic floor.
  • Ridge beam, in some cases supported by a complex system of trusses.
  • Reinforcing and auxiliary elements: beds, struts, crossbars, trusses.

The structure of a classic hip roof’s rafter system is covered in more detail here, and this article offers step-by-step construction instructions.

Calculation

In the process of creating such roofs, in order:

  • The purpose of the roof and the type of frame are determined.
  • The collection of loads taken into account when choosing the roof slope, the cross-section of the main load-bearing structures and the pitch of ordinary rafters is carried out.
  • An approximate drawing of the roof is drawn up, the length and area of ​​the slopes, the height of the ridge, vertical posts and other remaining and auxiliary elements of the roof are calculated.

The most challenging aspect of roofing is determining roof slope; this parameter needs to be established after accounting for various factors such as snow and wind loads, roof covering weight and installation technology requirements, under-roof space arrangement, and others.

The frame calculations are always left to the experts due to the intricacy of the system (or at least the project obtained using roofing calculators and programs is coordinated with them).

Types of designs and photos

Such roofs’ rafter frame configuration is determined by two things:

  1. Method of fastening and supporting rafters. Depending on this criterion, half-hip roofs with hanging (without additional internal supports) or layered rafter systems are distinguished. The second option is considered more reliable and simpler, and is often chosen when constructing such roofs on your own.
  2. Method of arrangement and shape of the hip slope. Conventionally, roofs of the Dutch and Danish types are distinguished.
  3. Dutch ones are essentially an improved version of a gable roof and have triangular slopes shortened by 1.5-3 times and smooth trapezoidal gables.
  4. Danish roofs in the classic design have a raised triangular pediment and lowered hips in the shape of trapezoids, reaching the main smooth edge of the load-bearing walls of the house.

Half hip roof in the Netherlands:

Half hip roof in the Danish style:

Gable Dutch roof

When it comes to low-rise buildings, the Dutch gable roof works best when an attic needs to be set up underneath it. When selecting this option, the loss of useful volume is minimized because the bevels are reduced from four to two, and windows can be placed on the side gables. The bulkiness of the frame is the only drawback of the design.

Building a basic version with your own hands step by step

The rafters of a half-hip roof are typically fastened in layers when working independently. In these circumstances, in order:

  • Block or brick walls are reinforced with an armored belt.
  • The Mauerlat is fastened – along the perimeter of the load-bearing side walls and under the lower part of the triangular hips.
  • Work is underway to install the bed, vertical support posts and secure the ridge beam. The ridge girder in such structures is located strictly in the center with an equal distance from all walls of the house.
  • Ordinary rafters are attached to the ridge and mauerlat. Ordinary rafter legs are installed in uniform increments of about 60-120 cm; when cutting these elements, the need for a 40-50 cm margin for the eaves overhang is taken into account.
  • Installation of diagonal rafters is carried out (at the top point – with the help of nails, at the bottom – metal corners). For heavy loads, these elements are made double.
  • The shortened rafters of the main slope and the hip flaps are mounted. By analogy with ordinary rafters, their lower part is usually cut out under the Mauerlat and additionally fixed with long nails or corners.
  • Installation of auxiliary elements and fasteners under the gutters.
  • The sheathing is placed on top of the rafter frame, roll waterproofing is laid (with obligatory approach to the ridges) and the roofing is installed.

Since the interior space is used for living and the house is comparatively small, these frames lack struts or other reinforcing elements. Professionals are tasked with installing the Dutch roof rafter system in other situations where installing central vertical posts is not feasible.

Combination of Dutch and Danish roofing

When the roof configuration gets more complicated, especially when combining different types of frames, expert assistance is also needed. Of the options available, the following are particularly in demand:

  • Systems with inclined triangular hips, continuing with trapezoidal slopes (combination of Danish and Dutch roofs).
  • The same, with the edges of the slopes raised upward (oriental style roofs).
  • Structures with broken ridges, often chosen when planning the use of internal space as living space.

Hybrid of hipped and gabled – Danish

Danish roofs can be installed on attic floors if desired, but their interesting appearance and strong resistance to wind loads are the main reasons for their value. If desired, raised triangular gables can be easily modified to accommodate windows for lighting or ventilation.

Construction and installation

Though this design is thought to be more complex, the general specifications and work process for installing a Danish roof are substantially the same as those for a hip roof. When building them one after the other:

  • The Mauerlat is fastened, unlike the Dutch one – at the same level and along the entire perimeter of the house.
  • Support posts with a ridge girder are installed when assembling a roof using layered technology, or triangular rafter trusses are installed when installing a suspended roof.
  • Ordinary rafter legs are mounted along the plane of the main wide slope with uniform spacing.
  • A support board is placed on the outermost row rafters (the bottom of the raised triangular pediment).
  • Diagonal and shortened rafters are mounted sequentially.
  • The frame is reinforced with struts or trusses, calculated based on its dimensions and the purpose of the roof. Hanging type rafter systems are tightened with horizontal ties.
  • The rest of the roofing work is being carried out (filling the sheathing, installing the pie and auxiliary units)

Construction of the ridge part of the frame

In these kinds of constructions, the ridge girder is installed even when the rafters are fastened by hanging.

The ridge can be doubled and reinforced with trusses in especially complex frames, but this design is uncommon.

Comparably to Dutch roofs, the purlin is situated along the house’s center axis and is either connected at the top point of hanging trusses or supported by posts. The element has very specific requirements: the ridge must be 100 mm in cross-section and constructed of solid wood.

Installation of diagonal rafters

In contrast to a gable Dutch roof, the diagonal legs that make up the roof’s ridges and slopes are fastened to a horizontal support board, which is then fastened to the side row legs and strengthened with struts, rather than the ridge itself.

It is advised to double these diagonal rafters due to the increased loads. Metal corners are required to reinforce the lower section that rests on the Mauerlat.

Crucial! The Danish roof’s load-bearing systems are all constructed from the same species of lumber and, whenever feasible, share a common cross-section. Ignoring this requirement causes the slopes to become distorted and subside.

Manufacturing and installation of hip legs

Installed at even intervals, the shorter rafters that make up the remaining slopes join at the ridges. Although there are no regulations regarding the fastening process, the best outcomes come from first cutting a groove in their lower portion for the Mauerlat to land on.

Comparing them to regular rafters, a reserve is made when calculating them in case an overhang forms, or the arrangement is planned ahead of time.

Arrangement of the attic

When designing a half-hip roof and intending to use the interior space as a living area:

  • It is possible to insulate the roof slope and gables, with the laying of a multi-layer “breathing cake” that does not retain internal condensation inside. In practice, this is achieved by protecting the insulating layer from the inside with cladding and a vapor barrier, and replacing impermeable roll waterproofing with diffusion roofing membranes.
  • If necessary (intensive use, availability of sanitary rooms), a forced attic ventilation system is installed.
  • The rafter system is designed taking into account the need for maximum space freeing (diagonal struts are replaced by crossbars and trusses, vertical posts are made more massive and durable, but rare, the requirements for the decorativeness of the frame, which is often left open, are increased).
  • The locations of windows and large furniture are thought out in advance.

Assembling a DIY half-hip roof blends creativity and skill and can be a satisfying project. This post will walk you through the key elements of a half-hip roof’s design, such as how to efficiently organize and plan the attic space. We’ll walk you through the process of building this kind of roof with easy-to-follow drawings and photos, making it doable even for do-it-yourselfers. Whether your goal is to improve the appearance or the functionality of your home, these helpful hints and illustrations will support you in reaching your goals.

Useful video

The following video will teach you how to construct a half-hip roof by hand:

If you approach it methodically, building a half-hip roof on your own can be a satisfying project. To ensure stability and aesthetics, it is essential to comprehend design elements like the balance between the main and side slopes. In addition to having a distinctive appearance, the half-hip design has useful advantages like better water runoff and decreased wind resistance.

Think about how you want to use the attic space when you arrange it. To maximize the space in your attic, proper ventilation and insulation are essential. Well-thought-out planning will boost your roof system’s efficiency and comfort levels.

You can better visualize each step of the construction process by using blueprints and images as a reference. Having easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions can help any DIYer, experienced or novice, complete the task faster and more effectively.

A half-hip roof can be a stylish and useful addition to your home if you follow the right steps and have a little patience. Savor the benefits of your new roof for many years to come, along with the satisfaction of a job well done.

Video on the topic

Attic H.3 – Construction and layout

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Timur Kiselev

Professional builder with 15 years of experience. I know everything about the construction of houses, cottages, bathhouses and other buildings. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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