How to build an envelope roof with your own hands

Doing your own envelope roof construction can be a satisfying endeavor. It’s an opportunity to use your hands to make something substantial and exquisite. In addition, you’ll learn useful construction skills and save money on labor.

This kind of roof may seem difficult because of its intricate design and sloping sides. But it’s absolutely possible if you have the correct support and resources. Great outcomes can be attained without the need for a professional carpenter.

We’ll guide you through every step of the procedure in this article. We can help you with everything from gathering supplies and equipment to providing step-by-step construction instructions. Upon completion, you will possess an elegant and robust envelope roof, crafted through your own perseverance and hard work.

It can be a satisfying project that saves money and gives you a sense of accomplishment to build an envelope roof on your own. From planning and material gathering to building the framework and adding the finishing touches, this guide will take you through all of the fundamental procedures and considerations. Using the appropriate tools and some basic carpentry knowledge, you can build a long-lasting, energy-efficient roof that improves the look and feel of your house.

What is the secret of the envelope roof

Another name for a comparable plan is a four-way roof or hip roof. The envelope roof scheme lacks side gables in contrast to a conventional gable roof. Although this makes building a rafter frame more difficult, there are some benefits as well:

• The roof of the envelope has an order of magnitude higher resistance to wind loads, especially if the roof plane is installed at a large angle of inclination;
• The absence of pediments allows you to reduce heat loss several times and improve the protection of the cover attic for rain and melt water;
• The location of the planes provides uniform gathering of snow and ice in winter and early spring.

The diagram displays the primary components of the envelope roof.

Usually triangular or trapezoidal in shape, the two main slopes run parallel to the building’s back and facade. Triangular side slopes are the norm. Houses with roofs constructed in accordance with the more intricate half-hip scheme of the Dutch or Danish people may have trapezoidal or triangular side slopes.

One of the simplest options is a hipped roof.

Certain drawbacks of the envelope roof layout must be acknowledged and considered when designing the roofing device:

• The design is much more complex than a gable roof. Moreover, single-pitched construction requires the use of a large number of scarce long beams, boards and metal fastener corners;
• The envelope roof makes it possible to redistribute the loads on the walls of the house from the weight of the rafter frame, roofing, snow and ice as evenly as possible;
• It is almost impossible to plan and assemble an envelope roof with your own hands without practical experience in calculating and building such objects, even if you have confident skills as a carpenter and a certain amount of work experience.

Design and device of the rafter system

The process of figuring out how big an envelope’s roof is is not too tough; all you need to do is review your trigonometry and planimetry lessons from school and grab a few construction reference books.

The photo envelope roof frame is made up of the following structural components:

• The central ridge beam, on which all four planes rest;
• Diagonal and row rafters of the frame, the first are located diagonally from the top of the base angle to the midline;
• Ordinary rafters are no different from ordinary rafter beams of a gable roof;
• Narrows are short pieces of timber or boards that are used to sew up the side planes.

Unlike other rafter beams, each roof beam has a unique length and size that must be determined when planning the roof based on a predetermined scheme.

The frame system can be computed in three different ways:

• Use a standard scheme for calculating a roof using an envelope, which is available in almost any textbook or reference book on structural mechanics. It also provides recommendations for choosing the cross-section of beams depending on the length of the slope and the angle of inclination of the roof plane;
• The second method implies a graphic way to calculate the roof of the envelope. This will need to be drawn on the scale of the plan-scheme of the future frame with a detailed detailing of all the main nodes and details. After all the basic elements of the rafter frame are applied, it will be possible to measure the length of the rafters of the skate beam of people, corner and ridge runs;
• The third method implies the use of a specialized program for designing roofing structures. This method will allow you to take into account the basic requirements for building a roof with an envelope scheme and avoid the most rude errors when calculating.

How to build a roof with your own hands

Preparatory steps are taken before the roof is built. Stone or wooden walls of the house cannot have the rafter system installed directly on them. Because the frame puts a tremendous amount of weight on the walls, you must install an intermediate Mauerlat beam between the building’s frame and rafter system before you can start building the roof with your hands.

Getting ready to put the roof truss system with an envelope together

You can start putting the roof truss system together once the Mauerlat has been mounted and the ceiling beams have been installed. Sheathing the beams with a front board and installing corner braces are required to keep the envelope system from collapsing off the ceiling.

You will have to install the boards on the ceiling at the second step. This will enable you to put in and assemble a ridge beam in the middle section. Making and installing the ridge frame is the first step in assembling the envelope frame system. The frame is unstable until the rafters are positioned on the beam. As a result, installing two central rafters to support the frame from the side slopes is required first.

All elements must be fastened to the roof frame only in pairs in order to prevent the envelope system from shifting from its initial position while the rafters are being fastened to the ridge beam. Corners and overhead plates must also be added to strengthen the joints. The scene in the video where you put together a roof with your hands and an envelope is really nicely captured.

Installing diagonal rafters comes next. They are also installed in pairs; to ensure that everything is balanced when assembling the envelope roof, the diagonal beam must be installed first, followed by the shortest rafter.

Assembling an envelope roof is thought to be most challenging when it comes to installing diagonal rafters.

Assembling the rafter frame

You can start making the four slopes of the frame once the main roof components are put in place and enclosed with an envelope. First, standard rafters are erected; the technology used to assemble the two main slopes’ rafter systems is essentially the same as that used to construct a traditional gable roof.

Small houses have their rafters installed directly on the roof after being trimmed. The rafter beams for the envelope are sawed straight on the ground if the house is large. They are then lifted to the ceiling, adjusted, and laid on the ridge beam.

After assembling the two main slopes, they move on to setting up the side slopes. The main challenge is that after the ends of the rafters are cut down and placed on the roof slope, each beam must be measured and individually adjusted to length directly on the frame. Metal corners and plates must be used to reinforce all installed portions of the envelope rafter frame. Even though it looks strong, the wooden structure is actually quite delicate until the rafter system on the house’s walls starts to level and slightly shrink.

The final step involves installing the vapor barrier, sheathing, and counter-lattice on the slopes’ surfaces, along with all the roofing pie’s details.

One of the benefits is that heat losses through the ceiling can be minimized because of the addition of two more slopes.

Mineral fiber is almost always used as insulation for hipped structures. A vapor barrier needs to be installed at the base of the frame if the attic on a hip roof is to be built using a cold scheme.

Self-built envelope roofing can be a satisfying undertaking. It calls for thorough preparation, the appropriate supplies, and close attention to detail. You can guarantee a strong and functional roof for your house by following the instructions provided in this guide.

The most important components of the structure are the foundation and frame, so start with these. Verify the accuracy of all measurements and the quality of the materials. This step should not be rushed; accuracy now will save you a great deal of hassle later.

Pay careful attention to the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the roofing material. An installed roof will last longer and better shield your house from the weather. Take your time, making sure that everything is sealed and fastened firmly.

The first priority should always be safety. Employ the proper tools and equipment, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it. It is better to be safe than sorry when building a roof because the work can be hazardous.

You can successfully construct an envelope roof that not only looks fantastic but also offers your home exceptional protection if you put in the necessary time and effort. Savor the accomplishment of a job well done and the assurance that your roof is long-lasting.

Video on the topic

Roof envelope without Mauerlat. Plus LIFEHACK. We build a house with our own hands. Part 6

Hip roof frame

Hip (hipped) roof. Start.