How to make a thatched roof with your own hands -
Modern man in the construction of his own house has a huge selection of roofing materials, which differ in weight, material and appearance. And in the olden days, before people learned how to skillfully process the metal, and it became widely available, everyone used straw to cover the roof of their homes.
The thatched-roof house perfectly protected it from rain, snow, wind and cold, and vegetable raw materials grew everywhere, and therefore it cost almost nothing. Now straw roofing technology is used more as a decorative architectural solution in the design of cafes, restaurants, gazebos and terraces.
Virtues
Thatched roof is a term that combines all types of roofs for the construction of which plant materials are used. Традиционно для перекрытия домов использовался тростник, солома, камыша, то есть растения обильно произрастающие в зоне строительства. В ход шли свежезаготовленные длинные, ровные стебли здоровых растений, которые связывали в снопики, а затем плотно в несколько слоев укладывали на обрешетку. Virtuesми такой кровли считают:
- Ecological safety. Plant materials used to cover the roof are completely safe for the environment and human health. Therefore, thatched roof is considered much safer than slate or bitumen, which contain substances harmful to humans.
- Good ventilation. When laying sheaves of vegetable raw materials on the roof surface, even with a very dense layer between the stems, there remains free space, which contributes to better air circulation. Thanks to good ventilation, the roof frame of the roof remains longer, and a pleasant microclimate is formed in the living room.
- Resistance to rodents, parasites, insects. It seems to many that dry straw will become a habitat for rodents, insects and parasites. Although in reality the plant material has excellent phytoncidal properties, due to which the roof of it remains durable and reliable for a long time.
- Excellent insulating qualities. Straw is an excellent isolate, so it is not cold in winter and not hot in summer in a house with a roof of this material.
Note! Talking about the thatched roof, it is impossible not to note the original, aesthetic appearance of this design. Houses, gazebos and other structures with a roof made of plant material immediately acquire a cozy, homely, cute look, so this traditional technology is often used in the design of themed restaurants, cafes and other places of recreation.
Technology flaws
Before you make a thatched roof, you need to understand all the features and intricacies of this traditional technology. Many are interested in how this ancient and most primitive roofing material can compete with modern technological coatings. Indeed, the technology of roofing using natural plant material has its drawbacks:
- Easy flammability. Straw, reeds and reeds, dried in the sun, are easily ignited by the slightest spark. This property of plant material often causes fires during summer droughts or during thunderstorms.
- Restriction to the roof structure. Due to the particular technology of laying plant roofing material, thatched roof should have a slope of at least 37-39 degrees.
- The complexity of styling. To make a beautiful, smooth, neat roof of straw can rare master. The task is complicated by the fact that the technology of overlapping plant materials is almost forgotten and is used quite rarely.
- High price. Many have the false impression that a straw roof is a cheap solution for the poor. In fact, the construction of a straw roof in compliance with all stages of technology sometimes costs more than the use of modern roofing materials, including due to the high cost of high-quality plant material.
Important! Experienced roofing masters claim that modern technologies are able to eliminate or minimize the disadvantages of a thatched roof. For example, the light flammability of dry plant material can eliminate the processing of fire-blocking composition. However, over time, the protective composition is washed away by rain, so the treatment must be done 1 time in 5-10 years.
Roofing Cake
Roof covering of dry straw is considered to be durable enough if during the laying all the requirements of the laying technology are observed. From the point of view of installation, the straw roofing pie is practically the same as the traditional one, only the roof covering replaces plant material. It consists of the following components:
- Rafter frame. The frame of the roof is assembled from planks and bars, it usually consists of a mauerlat, vertical pillars, a ridge bar and rafter legs. It should be strong enough, but light. The minimum allowable angle of slopes for a thatched roof is 35 degrees, and the optimum slope is 45 degrees.
- Crate. For laying straw mounted continuous lathing or construction of the rails with a step width of 30-35 cm. This requirement is due to the technology of laying and fixing the plant on the roof slope.
- Plant material. Dried, fresh plant material, tied together in sheaves, is placed in tiers in a dense layer at a distance of 30 cm. Fix sheaves using stainless steel wire or hemp rope.
Consider that professional roofing masters claim that additional waterproofing and thermal insulation will only worsen the performance of a straw roof. Due to the use of airtight materials for insulation, the roofing cake begins to crease, darken, losing its original appearance, and the roof frame rot.
Laying technology
A thatched roof with your own hands is a practical constructive solution that will beautify the look of a country house, gazebos or terraces. Usually, roofing works of plant material are carried out at the end of summer in dry weather, when there is plenty of dry straw and reeds in the district. Straw roof technology consists of the following steps:
- Collection and preparation of plant materials. It is necessary to collect healthy, light straw. Stems should have a length of at least 1.2-2 meters. Straw sorted by height and tied into sheaves. Longer stems are placed closer to the bottom of the slope, and short - to the ridge.
- Installation of a rafter framework and obreshetka. According to the project of the roof, the truss framework is assembled from sawn timber. Crate under the straw must be either solid or lattice, but with a step of 30-35 cm.
- Laying plant material. On each rail, sheathing tensioned steel wire or hemp rope, to which sheaves of straw are fixed. Plant material should be laid in a dense layer.
- Fit. After laying the straw it is compacted, beautifully aligned, pruned. After that, it acquires its characteristic neat, attractive appearance.
Remember that fitting and tiling a straw roof is a real art, therefore, not only the appearance but also the functionality of the structure depends on the skill of the roofing master when installing plant material.