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Making rafters: template and assembly. Installation of the truss system - we do it like professionals Where to start the truss system

For a good roof, it is very important that every step in its creation goes perfectly. The basis of the entire roof structure is the truss system, the configuration of which determines the type of the upper part of the building. There are different types of such systems, among which you need to choose the most suitable for yourself, because the functionality and quality of the entire roof depend on the correctness of your choice.

Types of truss system

The device of the roof during the construction of the building is essential. And in order for the roof to be strong enough, special attention is paid to the supporting systems, which are divided into:

  • combined;
  • hanging;
  • layered.

A roof is a fairly complex structure, consisting of a variety of parts. The main requirement for the roof, - it is the ability to protect the structure from all kinds of weather conditions and withstand different loads.

The main loads of the roof fall on the truss system, so it is very important to choose the right materials, calculate everything correctly and make the installation in accordance with the technology.

Installation of hanging rafters

Hanging rafters are designed for buildings that do not have capital partitions inside, and the distance between the common load-bearing and side walls is no more than 10 meters. The roof structure in this embodiment lies on the main walls of the building, but because of this, it is subjected to high loads. To make the tension a little weaker, additional parts (puffs or crossbars) are used that fasten the truss in a horizontal position.

Depending on the length of the span, various reinforcing elements are used in the design of the hanging rafters.

The lower puffs are connected at the base of the rafters and can be used as beams for the attic floor, while they must be laid on the Mauerlat. For the manufacture of hanging rafters, a board with a section of 50x200 mm is usually taken, however, each individual building needs its own specific calculations.

The sequence of actions for the installation of hanging rafters:

  1. First, a Mauerlat is installed on the load-bearing side walls.

    It is convenient to fasten the Mauerlat to the side load-bearing walls with the help of screw studs, pre-embedded in the building frame

  2. At the bottom of the roof, hanging rafters cut into the Mauerlat. Initially, the first rafter pair is made on the ground and used as a template. The remaining pairs of hanging rafters are made according to it. Further, all roof trusses are raised to the very top of the building and installed one at a time. In order for them to stand steadily, they need to be fixed with temporary struts.

    Rafter legs are fastened to the Mauerlat with steel plates on both sides

  3. Next, a ridge run is installed with the correct distance between all the rafters.

    The ridge run connects the roof trusses in the upper part and fixes them in a vertical position

  4. Each rafter pair is reinforced with tie-down boards. After that, the final tightening of the attachment points of the rafters to the Mauerlat is carried out. In this case, bolted connections can be used.
  5. If the span between the walls exceeds 10 meters, the system is additionally reinforced with slopes and posts.

Installation of layered rafters

Rafter rafters are mainly installed in those buildings where there are load-bearing partitions. They are much easier to mount than a hanging system, since strong load-bearing walls located inside the house serve as a reliable support for the rafters. In addition, this system requires a minimum amount of building materials.

The ridge board in this case serves as a reference point. Such a roofing system is installed in one of three options:


To fix the rafters in the lower part of the roof, it is necessary to use sliding fasteners, which relieve the load-bearing partitions from additional stress. In this case, the rafters are not fixed very tightly, so that when the building shrinks, they can move without overloading the roof structure.

But in some cases, you can use a spacer system that is tightly attached to the Mauerlat below. Struts and puffs are mounted in the structure to reduce the load on the walls. This method is called complex, because it combines elements of two systems.

Such a roofing system is mainly used for the construction of private buildings, so it is worth mentioning the installation work, which is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. A waterproofing material, for example, roofing material, is placed on the constructed main walls of the building.
  2. Mauerlat is attached to the frame through waterproofing using metal anchors.
  3. The rafters are installed on the Mauerlat and fixed with rigid or movable sliding fasteners. You can fix the rafters with a wire twist inside the wall. To do this, you need to drive a crutch at a distance of 30 centimeters from the Mauerlat and screw a wire onto it. Then fix the crutch on the rafters. Such fasteners keep the roof even during gusty winds.

    The rafters are attached to the Mauerlat with metal corners or special movable elements.

  4. An overhang up to 60 cm wide is formed as follows - the rafter legs are brought out beyond the boundaries of the bearing walls. This design will reliably protect the walls from precipitation. If the rafter legs only reach the Mauerlat in length, they are lengthened with the help of details called fillies.

    To lengthen the rafters, boards of a certain length are stuffed on them - filly

  5. The rafter system is fixed with girders, racks, and also struts.

    At the last stage, the roof trusses are connected with ridge runs and additional struts, and gable overhangs are also arranged.

Installation work on the installation of a layered system should begin with the flooring of the boards on the floor beams. Such a device will help to carry out work comfortably and safely.

Combined roofing system

Combined rafters have in their design elements from layered and hanging systems. They are used in the manufacture of mansard roofing. The walls of the rooms on the second floor are obtained thanks to the vertical posts, which are the fulcrum for the rafters.

The horizontal bars, which were installed on top of the racks, perform two functions: for the upper slopes they are a Mauerlat, and for the side ones they are a ridge bar. Some part of the truss system, which is connected at the top of the ends of the racks, simultaneously becomes a puff for the upper elements and a crossbar for the slopes located on the sides.

In the combined roof, fragments of layered and hanging truss systems are used

To increase the strength of the structure, it is necessary to install struts that secure the rafters and vertical roof racks. It is a little harder to make combined rafters than other systems, but the laboriousness of the work is offset by an increase in the bearing characteristics of the roof and the presence of a full-fledged room under the roof.

Photo gallery: roof system options

In the construction of a hip roof, layered rafters are used. For an envelope roof, a rafter system similar to the mansard is erected. In broken roof structures, special rafters are present at the joints at the joints to support valleys. Multi-gable roofs consist of several different truss systems combined into one whole. the same element can be both a power plate and a skate

Installation of the roof truss system

The truss system is made of coniferous wood. You can use boards or timber, which are treated with antiseptic agents before installation. Fasteners can be as follows:

  • wooden scarves;
  • metal plates;
  • various cuts;
  • nails.

Starting the installation of rafters, they remove the level of floors and load-bearing walls, after which waterproofing is laid. The under-rafter structure is necessary in order to prevent the deformation of the rafters. As supporting elements that give the truss system stability, can serve:

  • sunbeds;
  • struts;
  • runs;
  • racks.

Roof insulation is necessary, but for this you should choose a material for hydro, heat and vapor barrier. Installation is carried out in layers and only in the sequence in which it is necessary: ​​initially steam, then heat, and finally moisture-proof material.

Before laying the roofing, the necessary protective materials are installed in compliance with the established ventilation gaps.

To ensure long-term operation of the truss system, the necessary air circulation is arranged by installing ventilation holes. To avoid leaks, “collars” are made near the holes, which do not allow water to penetrate under the roof.

Video: do-it-yourself installation of a truss system

How is the mauerlat attached

Mauerlat is the foundation of the roof, so you should treat it responsibly. Otherwise, roof repairs in the future will be inevitable. Sequence of work:

  1. A waterproofing material is being installed around the entire perimeter of the building.
  2. The beam is laid out on the upper end of the walls. If necessary, parts of the beam are spliced ​​together.

    A beam of the required section is laid out around the entire perimeter of the building on a layer of waterproofing

  3. Checking the correctness of the geometric shape - equal lengths of the diagonals. To check, you can use a fishing line or rope. The equality of the diagonals means that the angles formed by the adjacent parts of the Mauerlat are straight. If necessary, the position of the beam is adjusted.
  4. The corners of the Mauerlat are fastened together.

    Mauerlat fastening in the corners is made half a tree

  5. Mauerlat is tightly fixed with studs or wire. If you use studs, then holes are drilled in the Mauerlat. Tightening is done in several stages.

    Mauerlat is attached to stone, block or concrete walls with the help of studs fixed in them during the installation of the upper grillage

Methods for attaching a roofing mauerlat and splicing rafters

Mauerlat is attached to the walls of the building along the entire perimeter, while the fasteners should be in close proximity to the inside of the wall. Outside the house, the wooden part is protected by a slight protrusion of the wall. The place for fastening is also initially determined.

How to fix the mauerlat to the wall

Mauerlat can be attached to the wall in the following ways:


How to fix the rafters to the Mauerlat

All options for attaching the roof truss system to the Mauerlat can be divided into the following types:


How the rafters are attached at the level of the ridge

The most common option for attaching rafters to a ridge is a butt joint:


Rafter splicing options

In the construction industry, various options for truss splicing are used everywhere, while choosing a certain technology, one must pay attention to the design characteristics of the truss system, which are affected by:

  • purchased materials;
  • technical data of the construction site;
  • rafter installation step.

Rafters can be spliced ​​as follows:


Each type of truss system has its own characteristics and is suitable only for a certain type of roof structure. It is from the correct installation of the rafters that not only the reliability, but also the strength of the roof depends, therefore, this stage of work must be approached with the utmost responsibility.

Building your own home is always a waste: starting from the project and ending with its implementation, you can’t do anywhere without the help of professionals. But is it really so? Isn't it possible to do most of the work with your own hands? You can, if you use the tips from our site!

There is a lot on the resource, how about a reliable foundation for any building. But, in addition to a stable foundation, the coziness and comfort of staying in the house is affected by that which does not leak and helps to keep the heat in the room.

Any roof structure cannot do without high-strength rafters, and their assembly is one of the most time-consuming tasks in the construction of a monolithic or private house. A frame for a new roof can be bought at the nearest woodworking sawmill, and you can install it yourself, observing all the technological requirements and features of different configurations. Next, consider the main elements and methods for installing rafters on the roof of a private house.

Roof structure elements

Mauerlat- the main component of the entire system, a kind of foundation, which is installed along the perimeter of the walls and creates an optimal load balance, protecting the structure from involuntary movement at the time of strong winds or heavy rainfall. Mauerlat can be made from planed timber, in some houses it can be replaced by the upper wall trim.

rafter legs- designed to hold a kind of sandwich. A sheet of sealant is laid between the supporting rafters, and a crate is placed on top of it.

Runs- solid beams that are laid in level along the roof. Used to fix rafter legs. They are divided into several types: ridge run (located in the upper part of the roof), lateral (located in the center of the supporting legs of the rafters).

Racks- take on a small weight of the structure. They are used to strengthen the stops of the rafters and the ridge.

Struts- are installed specifically to hold the rafter legs. Mounted in an inclined position. Gives the building extra strength.

Installation of the truss system

In order to start installation work on the construction of the roof of a private house, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the theoretical part, from which you can learn how to properly install the rafters on brick or wooden walls. Consider the most common sequence for installing the elements of the truss system.

Mauerlat installation

Before laying the mauerlat on wooden walls, you can add one log at a time around the entire perimeter to increase the height of the ceiling. Under the upper logs, which will be the base, it is advisable to put a knitting wire, with which it will be attached to the base of the wall. An easier way is to secure the base with large anchor bolts.

First comes a waterproofing film or roofing material. Next, lay out the finished workpiece around the entire perimeter of the walls. In some cases, the length of the bars may be less than the walls, in which case they must be leveled.


How to connect mauerlat

After installation, we check the geometry. For this operation, a laser level is ideal.

This operation should not be neglected - the slightest inaccuracy of 1-2 cm threatens with poor-quality assembly of the entire truss system, which can lead to unplanned roof repairs as early as next year.

Good to know. The easiest way to check is a rope or fishing line. With their help, you can measure the distance of one diagonal (from one corner to the opposite), fix and compare with another, and if the result matches, then everything is done correctly.

We fix the corners of the Mauerlat.

We fix the entire structure with wire, anchor bolts or studs. For fastening with studs and anchors, holes must be made in advance. A low-speed electric drill can easily handle this. Screwing the bolts is best done in several stages, alternately on each side.

We make the correct installation of rafters

rafters

Before proceeding with the installation of rafters, it is advisable to decide on the type, there are only two of them - a hanging installation of roof rafters and an inclined one. Their main task is to fasten and hold all the elements, and the difference is the number of supports.

Inclined have 2 or 3 pcs. For small buildings with small spans, an inclined rafter installation system is used. Gable are used for domestic or public premises, which are endowed with additional, load-bearing partitions and columns.

In the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe base of the beam, the rafter legs should fit snugly against the Mauerlat, and at the top - into the ridge run, which is mounted on racks mounted on the lower run. The connection is best made on pre-prepared cuts with metal clamps or staples.

Hanging lean on load-bearing walls in two places, additional props are not used.

Therefore, if the planned slope is less than 45 degrees, the horizontal pressure will be greater than the vertical one, which means that it is worth considering emergency reinforcement. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out all the calculations before starting work and decide how to install the rafters in your case.


Rafter system for the future attic

The most common method of fastening are ties made of metal or wooden structures. The place of their installation is selected individually and directly depends on the desired functionality of the attic space. For example, if the roof will be used in the role, the screed should be at the base of the rafter legs.

Installation of load-bearing rafters for a gable roof

To create a reliable fastening of the entire roof, which can withstand heavy loads, you must use the combined installation method, i.e. installation of rafters will take place using two technologies - inclined and hanging.

For installation, high-quality beams with antiseptic treatment are best suited. The most common size is 49.9 * 149 * 5000 mm. If the length of the beam is greater than specified, it is advisable to increase the height of the carrier beam to 180 mm. The installation of the rafter system should be carried out in a parallel manner, that is, having mounted the rafter on one side, we immediately set it on the opposite side.

Preliminary marking and drilling of holes for fastenings is best done on the ground.

In order for the supports to be as stable as possible, it is advisable to make the lower grooves according to the diameter of the Mauerlat.

Having selected the upper section of the intersection, we proceed in the same way and make a tie-in equal to half the diameter of the beam.

When fastening with an overlap, the top fastening should be obtained without additional protrusions.

In order for all the grooves to be of the same diameter, it is necessary to prepare a mortise template. The most common material for its manufacture is plywood or thick cardboard. According to a previously drawn up drawing, a layout is cut out of plywood in two copies, nailed to a beam on both sides and outlined with a pencil. The tie-in made according to this principle will turn out to be dense and as even as possible.

It is desirable to make cuts as simple as possible, since intricately cut joints can be absolutely unreliable.

As far as possible, the mounted planes should be perpendicular to the load forces that may appear along the wooden elements.

After creating the structure, it should be securely fixed to the Mauerlat. For this, ordinary nails or special anchors are suitable. The next step is to determine the minimum distance of the rafters from each other.

To determine it, look at the table.

Rafter leg length, m Distance between adjacent rafters, cm
110 140 175 213
Rafter leg thickness, cm
bars logs bars logs bars logs bars logs
Less than 3 8 * 10 Ø 10 8 * 13 Ø 13 9 *10 Ø 10 9 * 16 Ø 16
3 to 3.5 8 * 13 Ø 13 8 * 16 Ø 16 8 *18 Ø 18 9 *18 Ø 18
3.6 to 4.2 8 * 16 Ø 16 8 * 18 Ø 18 9 *18 Ø 18 10 *20 Ø 18
4.2 to 4.9 8 * 18 Ø 18 8 * 20 Ø 20 10 *20 Ø 20 Ø –
4.9 to 5.7 8 * 20 Ø 20 10 * 20 Ø 20 Ø – Ø –
5.7 to 6.2 10 * 20 Ø 20 12 *22 Ø 22 Ø – Ø –

Trying on rafter legs

Below we consider the main aspects that will affect the choice of the section of the rafter leg:

  • We find out what will be the constant pressure on the bars.
  • Covering material used in a particular case.
  • The desired angle of inclination of a shed or gable roof, which is easy to calculate if you use the advice from.
  • Dimensions of the house and the estimated complexity of installation.
  • Climatic conditions in your area. The calculation is the level of precipitation in summer and winter.
  • The material and quality of the rafters themselves. The best option would be bars obtained from coniferous trees. But sometimes you can stumble upon a fake, so it is better to select higher quality varieties so that the wood can be used to determine the natural origin of the material.

The main characteristic of the wood used is its moisture content. A suitable level should be within 22 percent. If you wondered how to install rafters with high humidity? The answer is no! They need to dry well. The whole reason is that excessive moisture will evaporate over time, and the wood will shrink, which will lead it to deformation and change in size, and this can lead to more negative consequences, for example, a violation of tightness.

Let's move on to the legs. There are several reliable fasteners in use today. They can be used on all types of roofs. The reliability and correctness of attaching the rafters to the Mauerlat will depend on their execution:

  • sliding;
  • Rigid.

For both cases, you can use a varied combination of hanging and inclined rafters.

hard way it is used for standard structures that are installed without turns, bends. To use it, it is advisable to put risks on the bars in advance and make the appropriate cuts, followed by attaching the rafter leg to the Mauerlat.

sliding(very often called free mount) has several stages of fastening. This is done in order to leave a certain margin for the subsidence of the frame; it can be used in conjunction with poorly dried rafters.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the correct installation of rafters for the stability and durability of the roof.

Thus, by applying the basic knowledge gained from this article, you can not only control the process led by professionals, but also do most of the work yourself, while significantly reducing costs and saving time and nerves.

Good luck with your construction!

The truss system is the basis of the roof, the reliability and strength of the roof, its ability to withstand precipitation and wind depends on it. The design of the truss system is determined by the shape of the roof and the features of the layout of the house, as well as the materials used. A do-it-yourself truss system is usually made of wood, but other materials, such as a metal profile, can also be used.

Types of rafters and their application

The choice of a truss system is a crucial step that requires knowledge of the design of each type of roof. Rafters can be:

  1. Laminated rafters based on a ridge run and Mauerlat. They are used in the construction of a single-pitched, simple gable roof, as well as one of the elements of a hip and sloping mansard roof.
  2. Sliding rafters - a type of layered rafters used for wooden buildings that give a lot of shrinkage. Their difference is the sliding fastening of the rafters to the Mauerlat, which allows you to compensate for the shrinkage of the walls without deformation of the roof.
  3. Hanging rafters - a system of rafters tied with crossbars or puffs, usually used in the construction of a simple gable roof, as well as the upper rafters of a mansard roof. In the hanging rafter system, there is no ridge run, and in the upper part the symmetrical rafter legs rest directly on each other.
  4. Sloping rafters, otherwise called angular or diagonal. They are used to make a three-pitched or four-pitched roof, as well as for roofs with complex geometry.

Elements of the truss system

Any rafters are designed to distribute and transfer the load of the roof to the walls of the house. The main elements on which the rafters rely are:

  • Mauerlat - a beam fixed on the upper plane of the walls around the perimeter of the whole house;
  • Beds - support bars laid on internal load-bearing partitions or columns;
  • Beams of the ceiling of the upper floor;
  • Racks and supports;
  • Runs - horizontal support elements laid along the roof axis on racks.

The truss truss consists of the following elements:

  • Rafter legs - boards or beams that form the contour of the roof and are laid with a certain step;
  • Puffs or crossbars - horizontal elements that pull paired rafter legs together;
  • Struts - supports set at an angle and supporting the rafter legs;
  • Filly - boards fixed at the lower end of the rafters and forming roof overhangs;

Narozhniki - short rafters resting on diagonal rafters in a hip roof.

All these elements in private construction are usually made of wood - timber or coniferous boards, naturally dried. The tree is impregnated with an antiseptic, which allows you to extend its service life. The thickness and section of the elements is determined by calculation.

Laminated rafter technology

  1. Before construction begins, it is necessary to sketch the roof and calculate its dimensions. The cross section and pitch of the rafters, as well as the need to install additional supports and struts, are also determined by calculation.
  2. Support elements are laid and exposed: mauerlat, beds and floor beams, racks, ridge and intermediate runs. These operations are described in detail in articles on various types of roofs:
  3. Make a rafter template. To do this, take a board with a width corresponding to the estimated length of the rafters, with the same width, but with a smaller thickness - it is lighter and easier to fit exactly in place. The board is applied to the installation site of the extreme rafter with one end to the ridge run, the other to the Mauerlat.
  4. At the top of the template mark the top gash. The shape of the cut should be such that the board lies on the ridge run and at the same time fits snugly against the opposite rafter. The depth of the cut should be no more than 1/3 of the width of the board.
  5. After sawing out the upper cut, the template is once again applied in place and the lower cut is marked out - it should rest on the Mauerlat, without leaving large gaps. The end of the template is filed at an angle so that the cut is in a vertical plane.

  6. The resulting template is applied at the installation site of all rafter legs, checking whether it will be necessary to fit in place. If the template fits perfectly (which rarely happens), you can immediately make the required number of rafter legs. If adjustment of the lower notch is needed, then only the upper part of each rafter is cut out according to the templates, and the lower notch is done in place each time.
  7. The rafters are placed with the established step calculation. Usually it is from 50 to 120 cm and depends on the type of roofing, namely on its severity, and on the expected snow load. The heaviest coatings are slate and ceramic tiles, but they are rarely used today. More often, the choice is made in favor of more modern, light and reliable materials: metal tiles, ondulin, soft roofing. For them, the pitch of the rafters can be chosen about 100 cm without performing complex calculations.
  8. First, rafters are installed from the side of the gables. The rafter leg is supported on the ridge run and the Mauerlat and fixed on two nails 100-150 mm in each attachment point. Having installed the rafter pair, they additionally fasten it: in the upper part with the help of metal plates and self-tapping screws on one side and corners with a stiffener on the other, in the lower part - with brackets or also on the corners.

  9. After installing the rafters from both gables of the roof, a twine is pulled between them and the rest of the rafters are aligned along it. Rafters are fastened in the same way.

  10. Install struts, if required by the results of the calculation. The struts are made from the same material as the rafters. A board of suitable length is applied at the desired angle to the rafter and the bottom cut is marked. It is important to consider what the brace will rely on: on the floor beam or on the bed, the shape of the lower gash depends on this. After completing the lower cut, the brace is put in place and the cut line along the rafters is marked. The prepared brace is placed at a distance between the beams and rafters and secured with metal plates or corners.

Roof strut installation


Technology for the implementation of hip diagonal rafters

  1. Since the rafters for the hip roof are installed diagonally, the usual methods of attaching them are not suitable. In addition, the load on diagonal rafters is much higher than on layered or hanging ones, so the material for their implementation must have a larger cross section. You can use a beam with a thickness of 100 mm or more, but practice shows that it is more convenient to make these rafters from two folded and fastened boards of standard thickness.
  2. The diagonal rafters are supported by the upper end on the racks, the lower end - on the Mauerlat bars converging at right angles. They are marked in place, and their main feature is that the cuts are not made perpendicular to the plane of the board, but at an angle of 45 degrees. When making rafters from spliced ​​boards, first one side is performed with oblique cuts, then the second, in a mirror image.
  3. The boards are pulled together with screws, nails or studs. The hip rafters are fixed with overlays and self-tapping screws.

A video will help you better understand the basic techniques for building a truss system with your own hands.

When doing any truss system with your own hands, it is important to carefully secure all knots and connections and remember that the roof is the main protection of your house from bad weather. Therefore, it is important not only to make a high-quality frame, but also to choose the right one, for example, corrugated board, and lay it correctly.

Photo
In order for the roof to serve as long as possible and to fully fulfill all the duties assigned to it, it is necessary, among other things, to properly assemble the truss system. This can be done by hand. However, before starting the main stage of work, it is necessary to determine the type of roof and the rafter system itself, select a suitable and high-quality material, and also draw up a plan in accordance with which the rafter system will be built.

Types of roof truss systems.

The type of system depends on the shape of the roof of the house. At the design stage, in general, the features of the entire system and the design of the roof in particular should be taken into account. After preparing and fixing the individual elements, the truss system is mounted directly. This work involves the implementation of many technological stages. Doing everything according to the instructions, you will not encounter any significant problems, and the finished rafter system for the roof of your house will be of the highest quality.

Drafting a truss system

When drawing up a project, it is necessary to take into account the type of roof of the house. For the roof of each individual type, an individual truss system is prepared. For example, a rafter system for a mansard roof will be completely different from a system for a hip roof. Therefore, when performing work independently, it is necessary to take into account these factors.

However, there are a number of requirements that are universal for any type of roof. When designing the truss system and the roof itself, consider the following important points:

Scheme of the hip roof truss system.

  1. If the roof is to be insulated, then all installation work must be thought out so that they can be performed as conveniently, easily and quickly as possible.
  2. When installing the insulation, you need to consider the further arrangement of the rafter legs.
  3. It is important to take into account the weight of the roof structure and calculate the power of the rafter leg in accordance with this parameter.

The rafter system should be assembled from high-quality and durable wood. It is important that the harvesting, drying and storage of the material is carried out in accordance with the rules. It is best to use resinous bars. Resin is a natural antiseptic, so the wood will be under additional protection, and the finished truss system will last as long as possible.

If the roof of your house is hip, the rafters should have a different section. The strongest rafters should be installed where several bars are connected. When choosing the material for the valley rafters, you need to be especially careful. The joint between the planes quite often becomes one of the main problem areas. Such areas are characterized by the lowest strength in the entire system and can leak.

Timber preparation before work

Rafter attachment points.

To build a reliable truss system, you need to use a fairly thick beam. Suitable material with a section of 10x20 cm, 10x10 cm, 20x20 cm, etc. Where the rafters must have particularly high strength, for example, if the design provides for the presence of slanted rafters, the beams need to be spliced. It is best to use a beam 400-600 cm long. An already aged beam is best suited for rafters. This ensures that the wood does not change in size after the roof is erected.

Before proceeding with the installation of rafters and waterproofing, be sure to consider such points as protecting wood from fire and pests. First, the beam should be impregnated with antipyretics. Such processing leads to a decrease in the combustibility of wood. Secondly, the material is necessarily processed with antiseptic compounds, due to which its decay will be prevented.

These measures must be taken long before the final installation of the truss system. In this way, you can consistently process each element of the structure, paying special attention to those that may be damaged in the future. Pay special attention to the seams. Protective compounds are most conveniently applied with a brush. Use a fairly wide tool with a long pile. Don't forget personal protection. Be sure to wear gloves, a respirator and goggles.

Protective compounds are recommended to be applied in a double layer. The wood must be dry before processing. You can, of course, not wait for complete drying. But if you want the material to be as saturated as possible and serve as long as possible, take your time and let it dry completely before applying the next layer. You can start installing the roof truss system only after the protective agents are well absorbed and the material is completely dry.

System diagrams for gable roofs.

In the process of doing this work, you will need a few simple tools that do not require special skills and training, namely:

  1. Axe.
  2. Hammer.
  3. Chainsaw or wood saw.
  4. Yardstick.
  5. Building level.
  6. Electric drill.
  7. Metal staples from 20 cm.
  8. Nails 8-20 cm long.
  9. Nail puller.
  10. Pencil.

Step-by-step instructions for installing rafters

The procedure for installing a truss system for a house with your own hands is as follows. First, the mauerlat is laid. It is a bar that serves as the basis for the truss system. Lay the Mauerlat on top of the walls around the perimeter of the building. Special fasteners are used. They must be installed in increments of up to 1-1.2 m. To further increase the moisture-proof properties, a roofing material must be placed under the Mauerlat. You can use other waterproofing materials that are convenient for you.

The beam is laid next to the studs. Places for creating holes are marked. After all the necessary holes have been drilled, the studs should be threaded into the Mauerlat. This must be done in such a way that the studs protrude slightly. You do not need to make a large protrusion, a few millimeters will suffice. Mauerlat is additionally fixed with washers and nuts. After completing the fixing of the Mauerlat, you can proceed to the next stage of work, in which you have to fasten the rafters with the mounted Mauerlat.

Scheme of hanging truss systems with a raised puff.

The rafter leg is set in a suitable position and fixed to the Mauerlat. For this, galvanized steel brackets are used. Additionally, prepare mounting brackets and screws.

The bracket will prevent the rafters located along the Mauerlat from moving. The bracket is also designed to prevent their displacement. By the same principle, using brackets, the rafters are mounted to the ridge part of the roof. For the purpose of additional reinforcement and fastening of the ridge part of the roof, a rail can be used. It should be connected to opposite rafters in the form of the letter "A".

For the most reliable connection of the rafters with each other, you can also use studs. For this work, studs of at least 8 mm are suitable, if ondulin and other lightweight roofing materials are used for the roof. If you choose ceramic tiles and other heavy materials, you should use longer studs, from 10-12 mm.

So that the rafters do not move, it is better to use 2 studs at once for one attachment point.

In some cases, it becomes necessary to lengthen the beam. In the event of such a situation, overlap the bars using high-strength studs and a diameter of at least 1 cm.

Recommendations for fastening the truss system with Mauerlat

The scheme of fastening the rafters to the Mauerlat.

Sometimes situations arise when the length of the rafters is not enough. This usually happens when building a T-shaped roof. But it can also happen under other circumstances.

In such cases, in order to prevent or even completely eliminate the sagging of the roofing along the length under its own weight or the weight of precipitation, it is necessary to thoroughly work on strengthening the roof. It is better to do everything right and “on conscience” right away. The intention to fix defects “sometimes later” in the future can lead to problems that require a much more significant investment of time, money and effort.

To resolve this issue, you can use one of the two available methods. In accordance with the first of them, a run is installed in the middle of the truss system, thanks to which the load will be evenly distributed. Or you can resort to another method. In accordance with it, additional transverse beams are installed and spacers are installed. Thanks to such a system, the entire incoming load will be distributed quite efficiently.

The second method of load distribution is more practical and efficient. It is he who is most often used in the construction of mansard roofs.

After completing the installation work, cut off all the rafters on the roof. Cut them to the level of the eaves. After that, if there is such a need, it will be possible to carry out waterproofing work.

Thus, there are no special problems in the independent arrangement of the truss system. By doing everything yourself, you get a great experience and save a lot of money on the services of third-party craftsmen. You just need to follow the instructions in everything, strictly follow the established requirements and rules, and you will definitely be able to create a durable and reliable truss system. Successful work!

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