Flat roof in the house: device, materials and technologies. How to make a flat roof with your own hands Flat roof in a private house

During the construction of urban high-rise buildings and industrial facilities, a reinforced concrete slab usually becomes the basis of a flat roof. But for private houses, especially frame and wooden ones, this choice is most often unacceptable. In this case, a flat roof is built along wooden beams. Its main advantage is its light weight, which reduces the load on walls and foundations.

The device of such a roof is simpler and cheaper than when using heavy reinforced concrete slabs. But the functionality is the same. Therefore, this option of a flat roof is often chosen by those who want to build it with their own hands.

The main share of such roofs falls on private houses and cottages, whose owners appreciate the futuristic style, convenience and practicality. Still - on the floors of verandas, terraces, balconies, garages. As a rule, all these buildings are wooden or frame, requiring a light roof structure. But this is not a mandatory rule. The wall material can be anything - brick, aerated concrete, foam concrete, etc. In this case, often wooden beams crash into the Mauerlat - wooden beam, running along the perimeter of the walls and connected to them using anchor bolts or studs.

Flat roofs are especially attractive to developers because they horizontal surface can be used as a usable area. Moreover, this is possible even for the roof, which is based on wooden beams.

Of course, you should not use the freed meters for a parking lot, a swimming pool or a tennis court. Still, such projects require a more monumental foundation. But outdoor terrace, an observation deck, a home greenhouse, wooden beams can easily withstand. The main thing is to correctly calculate and not save on the thickness of the lumber.

Types of flat roofs on beams

On the wooden floors you can build a flat roof of the following types:

  • unexploited;
  • exploited;
  • inversion.

That is all possible types- without Borders.

Unexploited roof- ordinary, ending with a waterproofing finish. It is intended solely to protect the premises from the conditions environment and does not set itself other goals. It is impossible to use it as a place of rest, to move in large companies, to install terrace furniture and flowerpots. The coating of such a roof is designed for the fact that 1-2 people will periodically climb it, solely for the maintenance of the structure.

exploited roof- more interesting and more difficult. In addition to direct protective functions, such a roof plays the role of additional usable area for the homeowner. The design pie ends not with waterproofing (prone to damage), but protective coating– paving stones, decking, wooden deck, paving slabs, sod layer, crushed stone or gravel.

inverted roof- roof-reversible, a qualitatively different option. It can be both operated and non-operated. Its feature is the inverted order of the layers in the cake. If in a conventional roof the waterproofing is laid on top of the insulation, then in the inversion roof the opposite is true. Waterproofing lies under the insulation, and vapor barrier is generally excluded from the structure of the pie. Due to this, the waterproofing is protected from the outdoor environment and its service life is increased.

However, under the influence of unfavorable outdoor conditions it turns out to be a heater, therefore, as part of inversion roofs, the choice of this type of insulation is limited. Only EPS (extruded polystyrene foam) and nothing else! This material has almost zero water absorption, high density and strength. From above, EPSS in inverted roofs is loaded with washed gravel, paving stones, paving slabs or a sod layer.

An interesting option for operated roofs (including inversion ones) is green roof. It can also be held on wooden beams. The cake of such a roof ends with a soil layer on which plants are planted. There are other elements that are not used for other types of roofs: a drainage layer (gravel, expanded clay, crushed pumice or geomats), a filtration layer (geotextile).

Flat roof frame on a wooden base

The frame of the described roofs are wooden beams, laid according to the type of interfloor overlap. Full-length sawn wood or multi-piece (glued) timber can be used. Often beams are made of boards with a section of 100x150 mm.

Beams are laid with support on the walls, similar to interfloor ceilings. If the building is wooden or frame, then the beams rest on the upper crown of logs or the upper trim. If brick or block - then on a pre-fixed Mauerlat. As a Mauerlat, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or 150x100 mm is usually used. It is mounted on the upper belt of the walls using anchors or studs. To protect the wooden Mauerlat from the material of the walls, 1-2 layers of waterproofing (roofing material) are laid between them.

On the beams, cuts are made under the Mauerlat, they are laid and fixed with metal corners or nails. The step between the beams is maintained 50-120 mm (depending on the calculated load).

When installing beams, it is important to ensure a roof slope of 1-6 °. Despite the fact that the roof is called flat, it is not absolutely horizontal. A slight slope is necessary to ensure the movement of water to the drain and thus prevent its stagnation.

You can create the required slope in the following ways:

  1. Immediately lay the beams with the desired slope. Then, if a horizontal ceiling is supposed to be installed under the roof in the room, it is made suspended or sewn onto a horizontal crate.
  2. Lay the beams horizontally, and to maintain the required angle, nail wooden plates of different heights to them.
  3. Lay the beams horizontally, and form the corner due to different thickness thermal insulation laid over the frame.
  4. Use beams with unequal height allowance.

Most often, the first option is used, that is, beams with a slope are immediately laid. The easiest way to do this is to pin along the top bearing wall a strong run from a bar or board, which will lift the frame (beams) on one side. Instead of a cross purlin, you can also install short radial beams extending from the central double diagonal beam.

Flat roof pie: what's inside?

A flat roof cake on a wooden frame can have a different structure. There are many design options, many of them are posted on the Internet. And they will all work!

Option 1. Roof with insulation over beams

Flat roof insulation layers can be laid over the beams. For example, a proven working option (classic roof with insulation):

  • floor beams;
  • vapor barrier;
  • waterproofing material - polymer membrane.

When using EPPS insulation and PVC membranes in the structure at the same time, a separating layer (geotextile, fiberglass) must be laid between them. The matter is that these two materials are incompatible and at their direct contact there is a destruction of PVC.

The polymer membrane is fixed on the insulation mechanical method or loaded with ballast. Crushed stone or gravel (for all types of roofs), paving stones (for operated roofs), soil (for green operated roofs) are used as ballast. However, when choosing a ballast, one should soberly evaluate the reliability wooden frame, its ultimate load.

If the use of welded-on waterproofing or an EPDM membrane with adhesive fixation is supposed to be used as a finish coating, a change is made to the scheme discussed above. It consists in the fact that sheets of plywood, OSB or DSP are laid between the insulation and waterproofing.

It turns out such a scheme:

  • floor beams;
  • crate (if necessary);
  • solid sheathing made of plywood, DSP, OSB;
  • vapor barrier;
  • insulation - EPPS, mineral wool;
  • sheets of plywood, OSB, DSP;
  • waterproofing material.

The installation of built-up roofing traditionally requires the use of gas burner, therefore, according to existing fire regulations, it is unacceptable for wooden structures. Therefore, they act as follows. The first layer of waterproofing is nailed or glued to a wooden base, and the second layer is fused, as it should be. It is also convenient to use euroruberoid with a special adhesive base, for which cold installation is recommended without heating with a burner.

Installation of a membrane roof on a wooden base is shown in the video plot:

Option #2. Roof with inter-beam insulation

Another principle for assembling a flat roof pie is associated with laying insulation in the inter-beam space. This option is more convenient than the first if EPDM membranes with adhesive fixation or welded roofing are used as waterproofing.

This scheme is often used roofing cake:

  • floor beams;
  • vapor barrier (between beams);
  • insulation (between the beams);
  • crate (if necessary);
  • solid sheathing made of plywood, DSP, OSB;
  • waterproofing.

In principle, a similar system is used in the formation of classical pitched roofs.

Option #3. Roof with internal insulation

In this case, on load-bearing structure(beams) sew sheets of plywood, OSB or DSP, and waterproofing is laid on them. The remaining insulating layers of the roofing cake are sewn from the side of the room.

A rough ceiling is fixed on the beams (from boards or sheet materials), to it, perpendicular load-bearing beams, screw the slats in increments of 40 cm. Place between the slats polystyrene boards by sticking them on mastic or glue. Hemmed to the insulating layer vapor barrier film. Close the insulating cake with a finishing ceiling.

Or you can go against all the "traditional" solutions and build an inverted roof on the beams. Due to the fact that the waterproofing will be covered with insulation, that is, protected from stress, exposure to oxygen, UV rays and precipitation, its service life is significantly increased.

When constructing an inversion roof, you can use the following scheme (from bottom to top):

  • beams;
  • solid crate;
  • waterproofing;
  • separating layer (when using a PVC membrane as a waterproofing);
  • EPPS insulation;
  • separating layer - geotextile;
  • ballast, paving slabs, decking, etc.

The principle of inverted roofing is often used for green roofs. For example, you can do this:

What top coat to use?

The wooden base of a flat roof, along with its advantages, also has features with a minus sign. This is an increased fire hazard and low bearing capacity (compared to reinforced concrete slabs).

For waterproofing such a roof, it is desirable to use materials that do not require hot installation. Ideally - polymer membranes. When choosing built-on bitumen-polymer coatings (from a series of euroroofing materials), the first layer of material is mounted mechanically, and the second - by welding. In order to minimize the possibility of fire of structures during installation, it is recommended to use non-combustible DSP boards as a continuous sheathing (on which waterproofing is laid).

When constructing exploitable and ballast roofs, it should also be remembered that excessive load for wooden base may be fatal. Therefore, if the bearing capacity of the beams used is low, light materials should be selected for the finish coat - decking, deck board, rubber paving slabs (rubber mats), etc.


Still an unusual decoration country cottages- flat roof. It is believed that flat roofs are intended only for urban development or for industrial buildings. But it's not. The roofs of houses in historic neighborhoods are often pitched. And at a private house you can make a flat roof.

Now we will look at what it is, what are the advantages / disadvantages and how to make a flat roof with your own hands.

Types of flat roof

Structurally, flat roofs are divided into two main types: on beams and those with a concrete slab at the base.

Flat roofs are never completely flat, there is still a small angle (within a few degrees). This is necessary for the flow of water. Otherwise, it will stagnate on the roof.

Most often, internal drains are arranged on flat roofs: funnels are mounted in the roof, risers from them pass through interior spaces. Funnels are placed on the lower part of the roof, at the rate of one riser per 150-200 squares.

The waterproofing around the funnels is reinforced, cable heating is also recommended (so that the water in the riser does not freeze). If a flat roof without a parapet, and a decent angle (from 6 degrees), the drainage system can be a standard outdoor one, as for pitched roofs: gutter and pipes.

Roofs are subdivided according to functionality, the device of the roofing pie and the type of coating. Here are some of the main varieties:

  • The unexploited roof is flat. It is built solely for the sake of originality and economy of material. It does not need to strengthen the structure.

  • Operating flat roof. It can be used for any purpose, from the placement of an outdoor pool and ending with a parking lot.

The type of overlap depends on the intended purpose: it is obvious that with high expected loads, the base should be a concrete slab. But this does not mean that the entire building should be brick or concrete. For example, a flat roof wooden house can also be exploited. Of course, it cannot be used as a heliport, but it is quite possible to arrange a solarium, set up a garden or put up a gazebo for tea drinking. Of course, a sparse crate cannot be made, only a solid one.

  • traditional roofing. The classic version of the roofing cake: a waterproofing layer on top of the insulation, the base is concrete, for the outflow of water - expanded clay concrete (sloping screed).

  • Inversion roof. Here, the insulation lies on top of the waterproofing and protects it from damage. The floor can be finished with paving or ceramic tiles, you can also plant a lawn here. A mandatory requirement for an inversion design is an angle of 3-5 degrees.

Roofs are attic and non-attic. Both types have their advantages: the presence of an attic allows you to place all the necessary communications on it ( ventilation pipes, expansion tank heating, etc.), a barren roof can be made exploitable.

One of the options for a non-attic design is a flat combined roof: attic floor combined with the roof, the lower side is the ceiling in the living room.

note

According to the device, these roofs differ from simple non-attic ones; it is impossible to make them exploitable.

With a house height of ten meters or more, as well as on exploited roofs, a parapet must be installed without fail. For exploited - not less than 1.2 meters.

If the roof is not in use, and the cottage is low, you can make a flat roof without a parapet or install fencing bars instead, or even do without them.

General arrangement of a flat roof

It is obvious that in exploited roofs for various purposes device will be different:

  • When constructing a pool - increased attention to waterproofing;
  • A “green” roof is also a solid waterproofing plus soil filling, etc.
  • The most common coating is flat roofing. This is cheapness, simplicity and high laying speed, excellent waterproofing. Most cheap material, which can be covered with a flat roof - roofing material.

    Disadvantages of roll materials (and roofing felt in particular) - low durability, low mechanical strength. For exploited roofs "with high traffic" tiles are preferable.

    Flat roof from and a flat roof made of corrugated board can only be made in an unexploited version and with the necessary slope. When choosing a material, you need to read the instructions for the model: some types of profiled sheets and metal tiles can be laid on roofs with a slope of less than 11 degrees.

    Some brands of corrugated board can also be used as a base for an unexploited roof, instead of plywood or concrete slab.

    There are other coating materials for unused roofs:

    • Polycarbonate;

    Pros and cons of flat roofs

    Advantages:

    • Original look. Flat roofs in cottages are rare.
    • Possibility of exploitation.
    • Flat roof - easy installation and savings on materials. But it depends on how you plan to operate the roof. And that construction will cost even more than an expensive pitched roof made of ceramic tiles.
    • Laying, maintenance, repair on a flat roof is easier than on a slope.
    • Flat roofs are windproof, pitched roofs have windage.

    Minuses:

    • A flat roof leaks more often than a pitched one. It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the waterproofing layer.
    • The need to clear the roof of snow.
    • Flat roll roofing requires more frequent repairs and change of coating than metal profile, tiled and other pitched.

    So which roof is better, flat or pitched? Exclusively a matter of taste.

    Building a flat roof

    Consider the option when the profiled sheet is used as the basis of the roof:

    1. Sheets are laid on the beams (rafters). The step between the rafters depends on the profile. For example, for load-bearing profiles with a corrugation height of 6-7.5 centimeters (H60, H75), the step between the beams is 3-4 meters.

    2. Laying a vapor barrier film. The film is laid with an overlap, the joints must be sealed with mounting tape.

    3. Thermal insulation. Mineral wool boards are usually used for this purpose. Please note that the corrugation depressions also need to be filled with insulation.

    4. Waterproofing. For this purpose, a polymer film is suitable. If the insulation is mineral wool, you can also use built-up waterproofing, because. cotton wool is a non-combustible material.

    5. Finish coat. You can also use fused. A roll is slowly rolled out over the roof, heating it with a burner along its entire length. The deposited coating is pressed against the roof and smoothed out.

    6. On flat roofs it is possible to lay the built-up roof in several layers.

    In other cases, a flat roof on wooden beams is arranged more traditionally: solid crate from plywood or OSB, a roofing pie is laid (vapor barrier + basalt wool), a waterproofing layer and a rolled roof are directed.

    If you are interested in a flat roof with a more complex device, please contact us: we will perform a roof of any complexity quickly and at an affordable price.

    A flat roof is not only an attractive architectural solution, but also the possibility of using its surface for other purposes. For example, on a flat roof, you can equip perfect place for recreation or small garden, if this is not possible on the main, "earthly" site. If earlier flat roofs were in demand only for, today this option is becoming increasingly popular among owners of private houses.

    Constructivism is a modern fashion trend that captured architects. They create projects of houses that are distinguished by the simplicity of their design, their “highlight” is in a minimum of details. But few of those who are engaged in the construction of a private house or cottage, decide on this "novelty". This is because in our idea of ​​how a house should look, there are certain stereotypes that have been imposed on us since childhood. Remember what

    You drew on your drawings. They were all with Therefore, for now, only people with non-standard thinking decide to build.

    Meanwhile, it is this type of roof that is quite economical, since much less materials are required for its creation than for a pitched one, because its total area is smaller. But the great advantage of a flat roof is that it can be put to good use. For example, equip it with a cozy terrace, garden and even a pool! By the way, this practice has been used abroad for a long time and with success. Europeans do not waste a single square centimeter of space in vain.


    Terrace on the roof of the house

    However, in order for you to enjoy original design and the additional functionality of your property, there is one condition: the architect must correctly carry out all the calculations, and the builders must correctly select necessary components implement the idea and do the work according to all the rules.

    Modern materials guarantee the reliability of a flat coating only if all the work has been carried out in good faith. A flat roof has many advantages, including material savings. In addition, work on installing a flat roof in a house is much easier than a pitched one, as well as caring for it (surface inspection, cleaning funnels, etc.). A flat roof often becomes a terrace or a garden, such landscaping activities are most popular in large European cities due to the difficult environmental situation.

    You can see the disadvantages of a flat roof in this video

    Flat roof device

    A flat roof job is a set of activities after which the roof must be watertight, fireproof, easy to maintain or repair, and attractive in appearance.

    Read also

    Stairs in an apartment building

    Structurally, the so-called roofing "pie" consists of three layers:

    • vapor barrier,
    • insulation,
    • waterproofing.


    Roofing pie and flat roof construction

    roof base

    The basis of this type of roof is usually a load-bearing base, for example, from a metal profiled sheet or a reinforced concrete slab. On top of it, installers lay thermal insulation material protecting from moisture upper layer isolation. By the way, if the slightest mistake is made while working on at least one layer, then the entire roof structure will eventually suffer.

    Builders pay special attention to such elements as sealing seams, fasteners, through holes, corners, plums, communications. It is they who during the operation of the building are subjected to the most serious loads. In addition, it is necessary to select related parts that meet the parameters of weather resistance, corrosion resistance and UV resistance. Their choice should be dealt with directly by the designer, who calculates what exactly and in what quantity is necessary for the implementation of the plan.


    Scheme of fastening and installation of a flat roof

    At the same time, of course, he also takes into account such indicators as the type of object, the size of the roof and the conditions for its operation. That is, the design and creation of a flat roof must be approached systematically. If the rules for fastening the roofing material are not followed, then due to a strong gust of wind it can tear off the waterproofing. Electrochemical corrosion may result in loss bearing capacity grounds. If the funnel becomes clogged or water freezes in it, moisture can overflow the roof, and this is a direct path to its flow.

    Roof vapor barrier

    The second layer in the building "pie" of a flat roof is a vapor barrier, which is designed to protect the base from water vapor. It allows it not to get wet, otherwise the base will swell and lose its original features.

    Next, the insulation is installed. It can be done in two ways: in one and two layers. The latter option is more common. The bottom layer is 70-200 mm thick, according to technology, it performs the main heat-insulating function, on the contrary, the top layer is responsible for the redistribution of the mechanical load. And despite being thinner, it has super strength.

    Such a “redistribution” of functions between layers makes it possible to reduce the weight of the roof, and thus the load to which the ceilings are subjected.

    Water vapor is constantly formed inside the house, which cools as it rises, which is why water drops appear under the roof. This process is most intensive during the cold season. The collected water negatively affects the structural elements. Due to excessive moisture, wet spots appear on the ceiling and walls, mold and flowering form. If moisture collects in the heat-insulating material, it destroys its main functions. This means that you have to pay more for heating the room.

    Not so long ago, such a fashion as a flat roof in a private house came to the CIS countries. Most developers did not consider this appropriate and continued to build pitched roofs. They can be understood, because a few decades ago, when the quality of materials was in doubt, the construction of a flat roof was carried out only on temporary structures. But today, when the quality of materials has improved significantly, it is foolish to refuse this roofing type.

    Flat roof roofing cake

    It is not necessary to say again that residential building with flat roof well protected from the wind. As for moisture removal, roofers also learned how to solve this problem qualitatively. They realized that a low-slope device would naturally remove excess moisture from the roof plane, but this could be prevented by materials whose structure has various roughnesses.

    That's why installation work should be thought out in more detail, but it's worth it. After all, you save a lot on lumber and the time it takes to build a flat roof.

    So, in order for all layers to perform their functions qualitatively, they should be laid correctly. This is what a flat roofing pie should look like:

    • Base. As a rule, it is made of iron concrete slabs, but some use thick profiled metal. This component of the roofing pie will carry impressive loads, therefore, it should be made as stable as possible. Often, flat roofs are made exploitable, for example, a lawn is sown on the surface. If you plan to do something like this with this plane, then check the calculations of the base several times.
    • Vapor barrier layer. During operation, this component will play important role. It will serve as protection against moisture vapor coming from the underlying floors. Remember that if moisture gets to the heat-insulating boards, then they will have to part with their positive qualities, therefore, this layer will become useless. For the installation of a vapor barrier layer, as a rule, polyethylene film or bitumen is used, but developers who have finances can afford a unidirectional membrane. It allows you to remove excess moisture from heaters and at the same time serve as protection for them.
    • Thermal insulation layer. A flat roof differs from a pitched one in that there is the possibility of laying unique materials, for example, backfilling. They are perlite, slag, expanded clay, and so on, but in addition to them, this layer also includes mineral wool or foam plastic slabs. By the way, roofers try to lay these materials in such a way as to give the roof some slope. As mentioned above, this allows atmospheric precipitation to naturally move away from the roofing plane. The requirements for this layer are as follows: light weight and low hygroscopicity
    • The most important component of a flat roof is waterproofing layer. Bituminous, polymeric or mixed products are used as it. You can choose slightly different materials for yourself, but remember that in addition to waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to sudden temperature changes, good elasticity and a long service life.

    A high-quality choice of materials and their installation will significantly affect how long a flat roof will last in a private house. It should be understood that the failure of at least one of them will certainly lead you to repair, therefore, take the selection of roofing materials as seriously as possible.

    Varieties of flat roofs and the nuances of their installation

    Before you make a flat roof device for a private house, you should figure out what goal you will pursue.

    • If you want to create an unused roof, then it is best to use profiled metal sheets. This will save you money and significantly affect the speed. assembly process. But if you are in doubt, it is best to immediately consider this option and resolve this issue.
    • Operated roof implies that on its surface you will build some additional structure or arrange a pool or lawn here. This type the roof will great solution in buildings, the dimensions of which do not allow the creation of additional rooms. It should be understood that with the arrangement of the roof space, the load will increase, which puts pressure on the base, therefore, they fit reinforced concrete slabs. By technical documents, the slope of such a roof should not exceed three degrees
    • Inversion. This type is a variation of the traditional one. Their difference lies in the fact that they are laid in an inversion roofing cake a little differently. Waterproofing changes from thermal insulation boards. This option is the most common in private construction, so architects offer it.
    • ventilated. Despite the fact that ventilation is more suitable for pitched roofs, there is a flat ventilated roof in construction. To do this, aerators are correctly placed on its surface, which, under the pressure difference, pull the polluted air out and thereby circulate it. Their device is advisable to perform with large roofing areas.

    Before you start building, carefully consider all the details. As for load calculations, this work is best entrusted to professionals in their field.

    Construction of a flat roof on unheated structures

    If it is necessary to cover a temporary structure, for example, a shed, a gazebo or a canopy, a not very difficult structure is created. Support beams are used to control the slope. Tilt at 3cm by 1 running meter slope, which, in fact, will be 3% will be quite enough for precipitation to be removed naturally.

    The basis for the roofing cake will be solid wooden crate. By the way, for ventilation between the boards, you should leave no long distance 1-3 mm. This will remove the resulting condensate. Self-tapping screws or long nails are used as fasteners.

    The waterproofing layer on this structure will be rolled material - roofing material. This product is a very cheap material and its qualities are enough to cover a temporary structure and protect it from moisture for 10 years, and if repairs are needed, it is enough to buy a couple more rolls of roofing material and roll it up again, on the old basis.

    Flooring bituminous material happens in layers. The overlap of the strips should be at least 10 centimeters. The coating is fastened to the base by means of a device on its surface with wooden or steel slats. Their installation should be carried out in such a way as not to interfere with the natural descent of water from the surface.

    The construction of a flat roof on temporary buildings, as a rule, is not hard work, which can be performed by one or two workers.

    Roofing on heated buildings

    The device of a flat roof of a private house, in which heating is provided, will take place as follows:

    • First, the floor beams are installed. During this process, it is especially important to follow the horizontal, so for the convenience and speed of the process, get a laser level.
    • On the installed beams unedged flooring is performed wooden planks, the thickness of which is about 4-5 centimeters. If there is a very large distance between the installed support beams, then the cross section of the boards must be increased to the required design value.
    • Roofing material strips are rolled onto the created base, but other material can be taken as waterproofing. After cutting off unnecessary parts, some developers leave bituminous product in this state for a day, but you can spend further work without waiting for this period. For a reliable connection, the joints of the strips are laid with a ten-centimeter overlap.
    • After waterproofing, as a rule, heat-insulating material is laid. You remember that often a backfill product is used for flat roofs. Its device hides some dangers, because with a small mistake, you can come to the conclusion that huge puddles will collect on the roof surface, which will significantly reduce the life of your roof, so I advise you to invite a knowledgeable person to carry out this work.
    • Next, the plane is poured with a screed thickness, which should be at least 20 millimeters.
    • After the cement mass has hardened, the entire roofing surface is primed, and then the roofing is laid.

    If you perform these layers with the highest quality, then your roof will last even longer than the manufacturers of roofing products assure about it.

    Monolithic concrete as a roof

    In addition to the well-known methods of erecting a flat roof in construction, a new method for creating a roof has recently appeared. So, here technological process construction of a concrete roof.

    • Concrete is far from light building material therefore, appropriate products should be used as floor beams. For its role, an I-beam steel beam, the thickness of which is 120-150 millimeters, is ideal. Their installation must be carried out without any slopes, ideally horizontally.
    • Experienced developers recommend using a concrete grade of at least 250. It is best to mix it in a concrete mixer installed at the facility. If you still decide to knead the solution by hand, then most likely you will not achieve the desired consistency. Concrete is created in the following ratios: 4 buckets of fine gravel, one and a half buckets of cement, a bucket of sand and required amount water
    • The base is all the same lumber located on the lower shelf of the I-beam. wooden elements should be kept away from the solution. waterproofing material, for example, roofing material. After the waterproofing wraps the boards, it is laid on top of it reinforced mesh with cells 2x2 centimeters
    • The next layer is fine gravel, and then comes the prepared concrete

    IMPORTANT: Complete the entire pouring process within one working day, otherwise it threatens to cause cracks on the future element.

    • Let the screed harden. She will do it in 1-2 days, in addition, do not forget to take care of the concrete, of course, if quality is important to you. To do this, wrap it with plastic wrap or, after some time, water this element with water.
    • After complete drying, bulk material - expanded clay is delivered to the resulting plane. Then they make a breakout and from paving slabs lay out the ballast sleeve

    In this article, I have mentioned the breakout quite a few times, and for sure not everyone knows what it is, so let's explain.

    What is a slope

    This process is typical only on flat roofs. It is arranged in order to ensure the natural descent of precipitation from the roof surface. As a rule, a flat roof is arranged with an internal drain, but there are options where it will be external. Therefore, at the very beginning of construction, it is building to think over this moment, and decide which drain will be more profitable for you.

    If your choice fell on internal system drain, then the slope is carried out so that water enters special water-catching funnels. Their number in everything depends on the dimensions of the roof plane, for example, on a roof of 25 square meters 1-2 funnels are provided.

    When equipped external system drain, then with the help of a slope, water is brought to the edges of the slopes, where a gutter is arranged.

    Unfolding can be done in the following ways:

    • Create the necessary slope using bulk material. Expanded clay or perlite is ideal for this. Having set the required slope, this material is covered with a screed, and the roofing is already laid on it
    • Thermal insulation boards are also able to set the required slope. But I believe that playing with the laying of this layer is much more complicated and costly than purchasing expanded clay
    • A specially designed formwork allows you to pour concrete so that it is already with the required slope.
    • The most expensive method of unfolding is considered to be a device plastic panels, which differ in thickness from each other. By laying them out in a certain sequence, you can achieve the required slope

    A flat roof is a great solution for creative people. After all, this design will not only serve as an excellent protection for your comfort from the weather, but also give you additional square meters that you can use for your own purposes, for example, equip your workshop for crafts on the roof.

    Having made special fences on the roof, you can build a rather interesting playground right on your roof! And if the options I have proposed do not suit you, then perhaps you will find the use of these square meters on your own.

    The construction of a gable or hip roof not always rational and expedient, if we are talking about outbuildings, industrial and commercial facilities, and sometimes private houses in modern style. Large consumption of material, complex rafter system make the construction of these structures economically unprofitable, protracted undertaking. While flat roof projects greatly reduce construction costs, build quickly and are suitable for almost any structure.

    A house with a flat roof is reliably protected from increased wind load. However, without slopes, it cannot quickly drain rain and melt water from the roof surface.

    The situation is complicated by the fact that the surface of roofing materials has a rough structure that does not allow moisture and snow to slide off freely. Therefore, a do-it-yourself flat roof device must meet stringent requirements. building codes to waterproofing, ramping and construction technology.

    The structure of the roofing pie

    Need high level protection against moisture forces the roofing materials of a flat roof to be arranged in layers, one above the other, forming the so-called "pie". If we consider its device in section, we can see the following layers:

    1. Flat base made of concrete slabs or profiled metal sheets. It provides structural rigidity, bears the weight of the roofing pie, transferring it to the load-bearing partitions and, as a result, to the foundation. At the exploited roof, the base should be as rigid as possible.
    2. vapor barrier. A layer that is necessary in order to protect a flat roof from the penetration of vapors from internal heated rooms into the thickness of the insulation. Settling on thermal insulation in the form of condensate, water irrevocably reduces its insulating properties by more than two times. As the simplest vapor barrier use polyethylene film or coatings based on bitumen.
    3. insulation. Used to insulate flat roofs backfill materials, such as expanded clay, perlite, slag, rolled, for example, mineral wool and in the form of plates, in particular expanded polystyrene. By the way, insulation is used not only to regulate temperature regime, but also for flat-roofed houses. The main requirements for insulation are low hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity, light weight.
    4. Waterproofing. Flat roofing allows the use of roofing to protect against moisture roll materials: bituminous, polymeric and bitumen-polymeric. In addition to high waterproofing qualities, they must be resistant to temperature extremes, elasticity, and long service life.

    Types of roofing and the nuances of their installation

    The device of a flat roof determines the design and nature of use. AT certain types that require a special approach during construction, the following are distinguished:


    Roof installation for unheated buildings

    If a flat roof is erected with your own hands for an unheated utility room, for example, a shed, gazebo, shed or extension, the slope is organized using support beams.

    They are installed at an angle of 3 degrees, which is 30 mm per linear meter of the length of the beam. Then a base is laid on the beams from unedged boards, fixing them with nails or self-tapping screws.

    Roofing material is used as a waterproofing agent - the most affordable material. It is produced and sold in the form of rolls. Carry out the cutting of the waterproofing, cutting the strips so as to lay them in the direction of the slope of the flat roof.

    Strips of roofing material are laid in stages with an overlap of 10-15 cm and fixed wooden slats or steel strips every 60-70 cm in the direction of the drain, so as not to block the path of flowing moisture. The flat roof of an unheated room is easily mounted by one's own hands, even by one worker without the help of helpers.

    Roof installation for heated buildings

    If they are building a private house with a flat roof, which they plan to connect to the heating system, then the work takes place in the following order:


    To build a house with a flat roof, the length of which exceeds 6 m, a bar with a section of 150x150 mm or more, or a steel I-beam, is used for the manufacture of support beams.

    Monolithic concrete roof

    Another option for building a flat roof with your own hands is to use monolithic concrete. The process looks like this:


    Decline process

    - the device of a small angle of the roof surface for organizing a drain. Before building a house with a flat roof, it is better to decide in advance which drain you will install, internal or external, and make a drawing.

    If provided, water should drain with the help of a ramp into the water-catching funnels, which are located 1 per 25 sq.m or more often. If you make an external drain, then moisture should fall into the gutter. The slope is formed by the following methods:


    A flat roof without a proper slope is an unreliable shield between you and the weather. Moisture that has no way out will accumulate on the surface of the roof, provoke the destruction of the roof and leaks.

    Video instruction