How to make a roof gable

The gable is called the end of the roof, used to protect the roof under the roof from rain, snow and wind. This design is also part of the decoration of the residential structure and is located directly below the roof.

Before you make a gable roof with your own hands, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the information provided.

Features of arrangement

It is well known that the end of the roof can have a variety of designs, differing mainly in its geometry. It can be made in the form of a triangle, a trapezoid, or any other multifaceted geometric shape, which is determined by the chosen construction of the roof itself. 

In addition, all known types of gables differ in the material used in their construction, as well as the method of their manufacture. The following options are possible: 

• brick gable, erected as one with the walls of the house (before the arrangement of the roof);
• brick gable, equipped immediately after the construction of the roof and trimmed with a decorative material;
• pediment of the roof of the house from the boards stuffed in the process of manufacturing the truss system.

Each of the above options is not without certain disadvantages associated with the features of its performance. So, if the gable is constructed before the roof is erected, then the probability of its collapse is great (due to strong wind, for example).

At the same time, we cannot exclude the possibility of errors in the geometrical dimensions of the gable structure, due to which there may be a discrepancy with the installation dimensions of the truss system (incompatibility in the plane of the gable).

In the case of self-erection of the gable after the roof is ready - all current work will have to be carried out in rather cramped conditions.

Note! In order to avoid these troubles, the gable parts of the first and second types require additional reinforcement, which makes it possible to continue the construction of the truss system (with the subsequent installation of the roof covering).

When determining the size of the structure, it should be assumed that the height of the gable will depend on the purpose of the under-roof (attic) space. If you plan to use it as a full-fledged dwelling, then the distance from the attic floor to the upper cut of the roof (ridge) should be at least 2–2.5 meters.

Gable parts of buildings, as a rule, do not experience large loads, in addition to the wind threats that we have already mentioned. An additional load is placed on them only in cases where gables are used for mounting elements of the truss system.

At the same time, to strengthen a brick gable, for example, it is allowed to install special pilasters or erect another wall laid inside the attic. All these measures increase the reliability of the gable structure, providing it with the necessary rigidity.

Note! When designing this part of the building, installation of windows and doors in it is allowed only in the absence of strong winds in the area.

To protect the pediment from rain and snow over its plane, a small overhang should be provided, which is formed due to the release of the battens and ridge bars to a given length.

Brick gable

In the case of the construction of walls of brick material, its gables, as a rule, are also made of brick. At the same time, the scheme of brickwork from this place changes from two-row to single-row. In the process of building a brick gable, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Before the gable arrangement begins, exactly in the middle of the end wall, the rail is fixed, the upper cut of which should be located at the level of the future ridge.
2. From the upper edge of the rail to the corners of the main wall, strong cords are tightened, thus forming an isosceles triangle.
3. Laying brick gable should be carried out strictly within the boundaries of the tensioned cords. To do this, the extreme bricks are simply scaled along the marking line. The high accuracy of the fitting geometry of the masonry eliminates the possibility of the formation of significant gaps between the gable wall and the roof slope.
4. With large geometrical dimensions of the gable, from its inside it is necessary to lay out pilasters, which serve to harden the entire erected structure.

Finishing

Before making the gable, it is necessary to make a stock of finishing material used for covering the entire residential building. Before starting work on finishing, its walls should be well insulated. In addition, if the attic space is planned to be made residential - it is necessary to close them with several layers of vapor - and waterproofing.

All the above works are carried out simultaneously with the insulation and waterproofing of the entire roofing space. Upon their completion, you can proceed to the preparation of a convenient overhang and its hemming from the side of the gable.

Note! In the event that you plan to arrange something like an attic in the room, you will need to leave a wide opening in the gables into which the window frames are later inserted.

It should be noted that for gables the same material is usually used that was used before when finishing the walls of a house. Of course, this approach is not particularly original, although modern materials allow the use of the most unconventional solutions. So, when using siding, for example, at the expense of a combination of blanks of various colors, it is sometimes possible to give the entire structure a unique look.

In conclusion, we consider some features of the procedures for the decoration of gables, which should draw your attention:

1. Thermal insulation of the walls of the gables is carried out by the same methods that were used to protect the walls and roof of the attic.
2. To fix the insulation plates (mineral wool, for example), you will need to use an internal sheathing.
3. Small gaps are made between the insulating material plates, which provide ventilation of the internal spaces, which prevents condensate from accumulating in them (and, as a result, destruction of the insulation material).
4. In order to avoid the formation of mold and mildew, all the wooden elements of the gable design are pre-treated with an antiseptic, as well as flame retardants, which exclude the possibility of accidental ignition.
5. When arranging the steam insulation, the polyethylene film should be attached to the inner crate directly on top of the insulation. In the case of the use of foil material, its fastening is performed in such a way that the foil layer is turned inside the room to be trimmed.

We offer you to get acquainted with the photos of gables made with your own hands.

A photo