How to build a pitched roof. Four-pitched roof for a gazebo: advantages, design, installation How to assemble a four-pitched roof

The hipped or hipped roof is one of the most popular roofing options in the construction of individual housing around the world.

Unlike the gable roof of the house, on the sides of which gables are mounted, the hipped one has additional slopes in the shape of a triangle.

A four-pitched roof with your own hands is very difficult to perform, and if you are interested in how to make a four-pitched roof, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the theoretical part first.

Before starting work, you should carefully calculate everything, draw up drawings and a project in which you need to indicate the placement of various elements and other design features.

The calculation of the hipped roof and the project must take into account all the loads that will affect the building.

The design must be very strong, withstand strong winds, snowfall and other weather conditions. The service life of the roof depends on how correctly the roof material is selected.

That is why, when creating a project and drawings, it is very important to calculate everything correctly. Project of a hipped roof in the photo:

Before creating a project and a drawing of a hipped roof of a house, you must first find out the angle of inclination of the slopes, which depends on many factors, such as the purpose of the attic, the choice of roof material, and the features of atmospheric influences.

Most often, the angle of inclination of the roof of individual houses is from 5 to 60 degrees.

If in your region precipitation and winds are not very strong, then the angle of inclination of the structure may be insignificant.

If in your area it often rains heavily, and in winter it snows, then the angle of inclination of the hipped roof of houses should be from 40-45 to 60 degrees.

The finishing material, as well as installation features, also depend on the option, what angle of inclination the structure will have:

  • if the angle of inclination is less than 18 degrees, wavy and flat slates are used for the roof, as well as rolled roofing materials;
  • when the angle of inclination is up to 30 degrees, varieties of tiles are usually used;
  • for a roof whose slope angle is at least 30 degrees, piece material is usually used.

Calculation of the slope of the roof in the photo.

The design and calculation of the structure must take into account where all the elements of the roofing system will be located. When you have determined the slope of the hipped roof, you must also calculate the height of the ridge.

Roof truss system

The device of the roof of this type of private houses involves the calculation of the desired section of the rafters. The calculation is made based on the loads that your hipped roof will receive.

The calculations, as well as the design of the structure, should include the wind load, the maximum possible mass of snow in winter, the angle of the roof.

When calculating the distance between the rafters, it is necessary to evaluate their ability to withstand loads, as well as their safety margin, which should be 1.4 or more.

The type of device of the truss system depends on the features of the building, and therefore may be different.

If the house has a load-bearing wall or supports from pillars, then layered rafters are usually used, but if the support device is not possible, then hanging rafters are made.

In some buildings, both types of rafters are used simultaneously.

When carrying out a drawing and a project for a future building, it is important not only to determine the type of truss system, but also to take into account additional fasteners that will give the structure strength and reduce the load on the beams.

Calculation of roof loads

When developing a drawing and a roof project for individual houses, it is important to correctly calculate the loads.

Loads are of the following types:

  • constants - the weight of the insulating material, various finishing and insulation materials, the weight of the materials
  • for roofing and lathing weight;
  • temporary - the weight of snow in winter, the negative impact of the wind;
  • additional - various structures that are attached to the roof.

When creating a project and a drawing of the roof of your house, you should adhere to the average snow load, which is 180 kg per square meter.

But if the angle of inclination is 60 degrees or more, then the snow load is not taken into account.

As for wind loads, their average value is usually 35 kg per square meter, but if the roof slope is less than 30 degrees, this amendment is not taken into account.

After making all the calculations, you can proceed to the choice of material for the roofing device.

The photo below shows a diagram of the structure of a hipped roof and the name of all structural elements.

The choice of materials for the construction of the roof

When the hipped roof area is covered with roofing material, a lot of waste remains.

Therefore, in order to cover the area of ​​\u200b\u200ba hipped roof, roofing materials are usually chosen, the elements of which are small.

The most common materials for covering the roof area are flexible or ordinary tiles, slate sheets, ondulin, metal tiles.

To build a roof that will last for several decades, special attention must be paid to the selection of materials for the construction of the truss system.

Usually, softwood lumber is used to build a hipped roof.

Do not neglect the quality of wood, choose a material without defects, which can further reduce the quality and durability of the structure.

An important criterion for choosing lumber is its moisture content, which should be no more than 15 - 20%.

If this indicator is exceeded, the beam should be dried before use, so that during the service the hipped roof does not distort or deform.

The construction of rafters for the roof of a house is usually carried out using a rectangular bar, the cross section of which should be calculated for each individual case.

To build such a structure, boards with a rectangular section measuring 50 by 100, 50 by 200, 100 by 150 and others are usually used.

If necessary, then in the process of work, you can double the boards to obtain the desired diameter.

To build a hipped roof, special steel elements are often used that hold the rafters firmly in one position for many years.

In addition, supports for ridge runs are also often made of metal.

Construction of a pitched roof

All wooden parts for the roof frame are treated with a special compound that will protect the tree from fire. In places where the beam will be adjacent to brick or stone, it must be wrapped in waterproofing.

The construction of a hipped roof begins with laying the Mauerlat building around the perimeter of the roof area.

Fasten it with wire loops or studs, which are embedded in the wall or in the floor slabs. Next, install the central beam, which is located on the central axis of the house.

It should rest on a floor slab or internal wall.

In order for the structure to be absolutely symmetrical, it is important to correctly calculate and mark the location of the diagonal rafters, as well as the ridge support.

The height of the ridge must also be marked with maximum accuracy.

A clear symmetrical marking of the structure will make the load distribution uniform and prevent the roof from distorting in the future.

After the Mauerlat has been installed along the perimeter of the roof area, the beams are placed under the ridge run. The height of the ridge must strictly comply with the design drawings.

Diagonal beams withstand high loads during service, so they must be installed very well.

If the length of the beam or board is not enough, diagonal supports are made of two parts. In order for the junction not to experience the maximum load, a support bar is installed under it.

The structure can be made the most rigid if the joint with the support is located at such a distance that is equal to a quarter of the length of the rafter beam from its upper edge, which is attached to the ridge.

It is best to implement diagonal rafters with the help of prefabricated rafter legs, which are convenient to mount. You can see the process of installing diagonal rafters in the video.

The device of this roof involves the installation of not only full-length rafters that are connected to the ridge, but also those that are attached to diagonal beams - sprigs.

The closer to the corner of the house, the shorter the jumpers.

The distance between the rafters is determined during the development of the roof project, but it should be borne in mind that each slope must have at least three central rafters.

To give the structure maximum rigidity, supports, braces and puffs are attached in the necessary places. The scheme for attaching the rafters can be seen in the photo.

The final stage of the roof device is the installation of the rafter sheathing. Usually, a beam measuring 50 by 50 mm is used for the crate. The step of the crate depends on what roofing material you have chosen.

If the attic area will be used as a living room, then ventilation should also be installed.

To date, all manufacturers of roofing materials also offer ridge parts of the same textures and colors.

The main ridge is installed on the hipped roof, and skates that cover the gaps between the main slopes and hips.

Complete the installation of a hipped roof by installing cornices and gutters. The whole process is shown in the video.

Many are attracted by the spectacular and non-standard look of the hipped roof. Therefore, the question of how to properly build a hipped roof is constantly in the center of attention of those who are planning to build a roof or repair it. But we must admit that in order to build such a roof, you will have to make a little effort.

Everything in construction begins with the planning of the necessary actions, therefore, their outlines on how to make a hipped roof are first betrayed to paper.

Hip roof project: calculation of all parameters

Before creating a project for such a roof, you will need to determine its shape, take measurements and calculate all the necessary parameters. They start building directly, already having in their hands a drawing of the design of the future roof, on which all the required information will be noted in detail - the angle of inclination of the hipped roof, design, length, pitch, assembly order of the rafters, location and number of additional supporting parts and more.

The key to the success of the construction of a hipped roof is in an accurate and detailed plan, so this stage can most likely be considered one of the most important.

The calculation of a hipped roof can be carried out using special programs posted on the Internet. But if you have not forgotten the basics of school geometry, you can do it differently - draw a prototype of your future roof on paper and use the simplest geometric shapes to calculate rafters, beams, the amount of material to cover and much more.

We start with the angle of inclination of the hipped roof

The theoretical first determine the angle of inclination of the hipped roof, taking into account the climate of the given zone, especially since the height of the hipped roof also depends on its value. According to the rules, for areas with heavy rainfall, the slope is increased (the consumption of all materials will increase accordingly).

Having determined the slope, the next step is to mathematically derive the height of the ridge by multiplying half the width of the span of the structure by the relative value (I take its value from special tables according to the angle of inclination). For example, for a 30° slope, the value of the relative value is 0.59, at 25° - 0.47.


A four-slope roof rafter is a system consisting of two types of truss trusses: typical trusses with slopes connected at the ridge, and side triangular rafters resting at the top point on the ridge. Thus, at the end points of the ridge, three rafters are joined: one central and two from the main slopes.

Quite simply, you can calculate the central location of the hipped roof ridge in the center: measure the length of the ridge, the length of the walls parallel to which it will be located, and calculate their difference. Dividing the difference in half, postpone the result obtained from the edges of parallel walls.

It is important that a right angle is provided between the ridge and the slats, which automatically ensures that the corner ridges are correctly installed.

location of the skate in the center

The calculation of these parameters of the hip roof can be made easier if you first mark the joints of the walls and rafters. The attachment points of the side rafter triangles can be determined by dividing the length of the transverse wall in half.

Mounting a pitched roof: precision and strength

The installation of the roof begins with the installation of rafters and trusses, according to preliminary calculations and marks. Farms are assembled according to a template. Various additional elements help to achieve the rigidity of each of them, as well as the entire structure as a whole: headstocks, struts, crossbars, trusses with a rack, racks.

How to make a pitched roof will not be too difficult if you follow the finished project and follow the correct order of work.

Work begins with the laying of a block or log Mauerlat structure (in the case of timber rafters) - a more common option in private construction. If it is supposed to use metal rafters, the Mauerlat is made of metal profile material. Mauerlat is securely attached to the walls using appropriate anchors.

It is important that high-quality waterproofing is provided between the base and the wall.

If necessary, a transverse beam is also installed, which will become a support for the uprights and, accordingly, the ridge run attached to them. When installing the ridge, it is necessary to strictly maintain its “horizon” and height, therefore, when installing it, it is imperative to use a plumb line and a rail. Racks under the skate are fixed with jibs.

By installing diagonal rafters, the planes of the slopes of the future roof are formed. The main requirement in this case is the exact same length of the rafters and the perfectly flat plane of each slope obtained. At the same time, the size of the overhang is also laid. Its average value is about half a meter.

In open areas where a strong gusty side wind is possible, it is advisable to increase the size of the overhang (up to 1 m).

Particular attention is required to insert elements in complex nodes. Let's say that three elements are joined at once with the end of the ridge: diagonal rafters (2 pcs.), Central rafters (2 pcs.) And central (ordinary) hip rafters (1 pc.). To perform this knot, a special undercut (double bevel) is made on the ridge beam.

At a further stage, strictly parallel to the ordinary rafters, corner (spiders) are mounted. At the same time, the sprigs of the neighboring, main and hip, slopes must be joined to the rafters in different places. For the joints of the "diagonals" with the sprigs, an ordinary cut or a support beam is used, which is sewn to the diagonal rafters on both sides.

The installation of a four-slope roof also includes the installation of a sheathing under the roofing. Whether it will be solid or sparse from boards, bars or poles depends on the chosen material for the roof.

A four-pitched hip roof is considered a rather complex and material-intensive structure, which few homeowners undertake to build with their own hands. But if you decide on independent construction, first go through the preparatory path - study the theoretical materials, including those presented in this publication. Then assemble a layout of a small rafter system in order to deal with the nodes, the nuances of their manufacture and the calculation of the amount of timber. So, let’s take the first step and consider…

Design features

This type of roofing structure, shown in the photo, is an ordinary ridge roof, but without vertical gables. Instead, 2 additional slopes are made on the sides of the building - hips with a different slope angle.

Reference. If all 4 planes are tilted at the same angle, then another type of roof will be obtained - hipped roof. Since its slopes converge at one point in the form of a dome, there is no ridge as such.

The hip roof truss system consists of the following elements (shown in the diagram):

  • mauerlat, bed - a powerful strapping beam mounted on the upper plane of the walls along the perimeter of the building and internal partitions;
  • roofing slopes are formed due to inclined beams installed with a calculated interval - rafter legs;
  • together with stiffening elements - puffs, racks and braces - the rafters form roof trusses;
  • ridge run - a beam connecting the upper points of the trusses;
  • in some designs, the lower part of the rafter legs is lengthened due to an additional detail - a filly.

Along the line of convergence of the planes, hip rafters are installed, resting on the corners of the building. Their slope coincides with the angle of the main slopes. But the end rafter legs, called sprigs, form steeper or gentler slopes on the sides of the house.

In the construction of 4-pitched roofs, 2 types of trusses are used - hanging and layered. In the first, the lower belt (puff) relies only on the external fences of a private house, so putting them on too long spans is irrational due to the increased consumption of materials for stiffeners. Hanging truss device, see the drawing:

The advantage of layered structures is the ability to rely on a capital interior partition and overlap large spans without increasing material consumption. Roofing beginners should pay attention to these trusses, as they are more reliable and easier to install.

If it is planned to arrange a residential attic on the attic floor, then the slope of the main slopes increases, and the farm receives 2 supports in the form of racks that form the walls of the room. It is customary to put these details on the beds or floor beams of a wooden house. The ceilings of the attic room are formed thanks to horizontal puffs connecting the rafters on top, as done in the diagram:

Hip roof device step by step

Like any serious structure, a hip roof is built by hand in several stages:

  1. Creation of a project with the calculation of load-bearing structures.
  2. Logging and other roofing materials.
  3. Installation of the truss system.
  4. Laying a coating with insulation (if necessary).

Design advice. So that you do not have to worry about the reliability of the building, it is strongly recommended to entrust the design work to engineers, regardless of financial costs. They will calculate all the parameters - the installation step of the rafters, their cross section, the number of struts and puffs in accordance with the weather conditions in your area.

Above, as an example, a drawing of a hipped roof with layered trusses covering 2 spans of 4.5 m is shown. The length of the main rafter legs is 6 m, the height of the ridge is 4 m, the angle of inclination is 41 °. This design can be taken as a basis if the width of the building does not exceed that indicated on the drawing (9 meters). Consider an important point: the more the hips are tilted, the greater the load experienced by the sprigs and the central ridge knot, where they rest. In this example, the hips are best placed at an angle of 45-50 °.

The most difficult thing in the construction of hip roofs is the correct installation of the splicing units of the corner rafters with the Mauerlat and the upper belt of the trusses in different designs. This is another reason to consult with designers who design individual junctions. So that you understand what we are talking about, we present drawings of the upper support node, where the hip rafter leg adjoins the ridge.

Some designs do not provide for the manufacture and installation of a ridge run between trusses. Then the hip ribs are attached to the puff and additional struts, as the drawing prescribes:

The lower support node of the leg on the Mauerlat and the splicing of the rafters looks somewhat simpler, although in reality it requires careful sawing of the boards at various angles, which is reflected in the diagram.

For a visual acquaintance with a more complex system, where the hip is combined with a bay window, we suggest watching a training video:

Lumber selection

Before you make a hip roof truss system, you should choose high-quality and dried wood. In terms of price-quality ratio, the most suitable option is coniferous wood - spruce, larch or pine. Pronounced knotiness, rot and traces of vital activity of insect pests are unacceptable.

We present the most "running" sizes of lumber used for the phased construction of hip roofs:

  • main rafter - single board 50 x 200 mm or double 40 x 150 mm;
  • mauerlat: minimum section - 100 x 150 mm, optimal - 20 x 20 cm;
  • narozhniki - board 5 x 15 cm;
  • runs - timber 50 x 150 or 50 x 200 mm;
  • struts, crossbars - a board with a thickness of 25 to 50 mm;
  • racks - a bar 5 x 10 cm.

A set of mounting plates and corners will also not be superfluous

Note. If roofing structures are calculated for you by design engineers, then they will also draw up a specification of all materials with dimensions.

On the crate for laying corrugated board or metal tiles, boards with a thickness of 25-32 mm are traditionally used, and bars 5 x 5 cm are used on the counter-lattice.

Mounting the strapping beam on the walls

Unlike gable roofs, where the Mauerlat is installed on the side walls, under the hips, the strapping is done around the entire perimeter. An exception is frame, log and lumber houses, where the upper wall crossbar or the last tier of logs acts as a Mauerlat. Then grooves are made in it, where the rafter legs are inserted, as shown in the photo.

On the walls of light cellular stone - aerated concrete and foam block - before laying the strapping, a reinforcing reinforced concrete belt is arranged. Mounting studs are embedded in it, on which a strapping beam is subsequently put on. Step by step the order of work looks like this:

  1. Installation of panel formwork, knitting of the reinforcing cage with embedded parts and pouring the belt with M200 concrete mix.
  2. Waterproofing the concrete surface with roofing felt or bituminous primer.
  3. Installation of the beam and its fixation on the studs.

Mauerlat corner connections are made by cutting into half a tree. In the same way, the timber is increased in length if the standard size of 6 m is not enough. Also, horizontal struts are made in the corners or iron brackets are driven in, which do not allow the beams to move apart under the load of the main and hip rafters.

Advice. Be sure to treat all wooden parts with an antiseptic and flame retardant. One protects the wood from decay, and the second increases its fire resistance.

Assembling the truss system

Roof trusses of large sizes are usually mounted on site, because it will take twice as many workers to lift them from the ground. In wooden houses, first of all, all ceiling beams are installed, and temporary flooring is arranged on them. For the installation of a high ridge, scaffolding will also be needed.

The phased assembly of the hip roof structure is carried out in the following order:

  1. As with the construction of a gable roof, the first step is to place the central supports, where the ridge run is attached.
  2. The installation of the main rafters is carried out, which are cut from above and below at the desired angle. On the ridge, the oncoming rafter legs are brought out into one plane and fastened with steel plates on self-tapping screws (yellow, not black). Beams are fixed to the Mauerlat with corners.
  3. After installing the main trusses, tighten them with crossbars and struts according to the drawings, using bolts for fastening.
  4. Install the ribs - the extreme hip rafters. Their connection with the ridge and strapping timber is carried out according to one of the schemes proposed above.
  5. Saw off and nail the sprigs to the frame. Each of them is cut at different angles, determined by measuring at 4 points (along each edge of the board).
  6. If necessary, fix the fillies to provide an overhang of 0.5 m, and hem the eaves with boards.

Advice. Since the hip ribs are very long, they must be increased and additional supports should be placed. Make the joint near the ridge, where the load on the roof is less, and mount the supports closer to the Mauerlat.

How the elements of the hip structure are attached in reality, see the following video:

Laying the finish coat

This final operation is performed according to the traditional technology, which provides for ventilation of the under-roof space and the installation of a waterproofing layer from a diffusion membrane. The latter does not allow moisture to penetrate from the street into the attic, at the same time, the film freely passes water vapor out. There is only one difference from covering ordinary gable roofs: additional flashings are placed along the fracture lines (on the hip ribs).

The coating material is laid in the following order:

  1. The rafter system is completely covered with a diffusion membrane. The canvases are rolled out horizontally with an overlap of at least 100 mm, starting from the bottom. Joints must be sealed with adhesive tape.
  2. The film is nailed to the outer edges of the rafters through the bars of the counter-lattice with a section of 5 x 5 cm, providing ventilation under the metal tile or other material.
  3. Perpendicular to the direction of the rafter legs, the boards of the crate are nailed. The installation interval depends on the selected coating, and for soft tiles, the packing is continuous.
  4. Roofing material and all fittings are mounted on the ends of the roof, as well as around ventilation and chimneys.

Note. The bars of the counter-lattice, nailed to the rafters, should not become an obstacle to the ventilation air. Therefore, they are specially shortened to a length of 2-3 m and nailed with a gap of 5-10 cm between adjacent elements.

The insulation of the hip roof is done both during the installation of the coating and after it, the main thing is to assemble the correct “pie” shown in the diagram. In the first case, the mineral wool is laid from above, under the waterproofing, and in the second - from the inside.

Conclusion

It must be understood that the advantages of a hip roof over a gable roof are few. Firstly, it is a beautiful architectural solution, and secondly, it reduces the wind load on the side facades of a private house. But for this, the homeowner will have to pay for the increased consumption of timber and the complication of construction, and hence the time costs. Hence the advice: do not rush into a decision and think carefully about the pros and cons. But if you have already taken it, then do the roofing with high quality, for yourself, without saving money on consultations with civil engineers.

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If it is necessary to create a durable and reliable roofing system for a private house, a hipped roof can be made by hand. It is important to carefully consider the development of the project of the truss system and strictly observe the technology of installation of structures.

Designing a hipped roof

A hipped or hipped four-pitched roof differs from a gable roof by the absence of gables - instead of them, additional triangular slopes are mounted on the ends. This design is more laborious during construction, but is characterized by increased strength and reliability. At the design stage, it is required to correctly calculate the parameters and location of the elements; during the installation process, they must be precisely adjusted to the installation sites.

It should be noted that building a roof with your own hands may require the use of non-standard solutions if the builders do not have suitable building materials at their disposal.

The hipped roof project is developed taking into account all types of loads that it will experience. At the first stage, the angle of inclination of the roof slopes should be determined. This parameter primarily depends on factors such as:

  • the purpose of the attic;
  • choice of roofing material;
  • nature of atmospheric loads in the construction area.

Typically, the angle of inclination of the roof slopes is 5 - 60 degrees. If the region is characterized by low rainfall and strong winds, you can build a roof with a small angle of inclination. In areas with heavy snowfalls and frequent rains, it is recommended to build roofs with a slope angle of 45 to 60 degrees.

When choosing a roofing material, you should consider the features of its installation.:

  • on slopes with an angle of inclination of less than 18 degrees, flat or wavy slate, roll materials can be mounted;
  • if the angle of inclination is less than 30 degrees, various types of tiles can be used;
  • if the slopes are at an angle of 14 to 60 degrees, roofing metal is among the suitable materials.

The scheme of the roof structure should contain detailed information about the location and size of the elements of the system. After determining the optimal angle of inclination of the slopes, it is required to calculate the height of the roof ridge (based on the formula of a right triangle).

truss system

The design of a hipped roof includes the determination of the required section of the elements of the truss system. It is performed on the basis of an analysis of the loads that the truss system will experience during operation. It is necessary to take into account the wind load, the maximum mass of snow in winter, the angle of inclination of the slopes.

It is recommended to choose a safety margin of rafters of at least 1.4, as well as to evaluate their bearing capacity and take it into account when calculating the pitch of the rafters. The type of truss system is selected based on the parameters of the building: if there is an internal load-bearing wall or columnar supports, it is more convenient to use a system with layered rafters, if it is not possible to create a supporting structure, installation of hanging rafters is provided. In some cases, both types of rafters can be used.


During the design process, it is important not only to determine the type of truss system, but also to find out the need for additional fasteners, such as braces and puffs. They provide rigidity to the entire structure, prevent it from loosening over time, and reduce the load on the rafters.

Load calculation

Considering in detail how to make a hipped roof, it is worth paying special attention to the principles of calculating loads. There are two types of loads:

  • constant (weight of the crate, insulation, insulating materials, roofing);
  • temporary (weight of snow accumulated on the roof, wind exposure, etc.);
  • additional (any structures attached to the rafters).

According to SNiP, when designing a roof, one should proceed from the average snow load, which is 180 kg / m 2, but in the event of a snow bag, in this area the load increases to 400 kg / m 2. In this case, the snow load is not taken into account if the angle of inclination of the roof slopes exceeds 60 degrees. It is also required to take into account wind loads, but their value is noticeably less - up to 35 kg / m 2. If the slope angle is less than 30 degrees, the wind correction can be neglected.

The above average load parameters are recommended to be corrected using correction factors corresponding to the climate in the construction area.

An additional load is any suspended objects attached to the roof rafters. These can be ventilation chambers, a water tank, or other devices installed in the attic. The possibility of their installation should be taken into account at the design stage of a hipped roof.


When designing a rafter system, two calculations must be performed. The first calculation is aimed at assessing the structural strength parameters - it is necessary to make sure that the system does not break under loads. The second calculation makes it possible to estimate the degree of deformation of structural elements. For example, the deflection of a mansard roof rafter should not exceed 1/250 of its length.

Special computer calculator programs make it possible to significantly simplify the calculations of the design of a hipped roof and avoid possible errors.

After performing the necessary calculations, a drawing of the truss structure of the hipped roof is drawn up. A detailed diagram contains information about the dimensions of each element and how they are attached.


Materials for the manufacture of the truss system

A do-it-yourself hipped roof is usually made using lumber from softwood - larch or pine. You should carefully consider the type of wood - lumber should not have defects that affect its strength and durability.

The moisture content of wood should be no more than 18-22%. Otherwise, the boards and timber should be dried before use in order to avoid deformation of the roof structure during operation.

To create a rafter system, it is optimal to use a rectangular beam, the cross section of which is determined by design calculations. As an alternative solution, a board with a section of 50x100 or 50x200 mm can be used. If necessary, double boards are mounted.

Steel elements that hold the rafters and keep their relative position unchanged allow to increase the strength of the multi-pitched roof structure. Supports for the most loaded ridge runs can also be made of metal. Combined structures are characterized by increased strength.

Features of the construction of a hip roof

The roof with four slopes is supported by a Mauerlat, the installation of which is described in detail in the instructions for the construction of a gable roof. A feature of the hip roof is that the mauerlat must be laid on all four external walls of the building. When figuring out how to make a hipped roof, it should be noted that the key design feature is the presence of diagonal rafters connecting the ridge and the corners of the building. It is these rafters that take on the maximum load.

It is extremely important to correctly mark the diagonal rafters, ridge run and supports for it. This makes it possible to ensure the absolute symmetry of the structure, which is the key to an even distribution of loads on the roof of the structure and prevents its deformation.

After mounting the mauerlat, supports are installed under the ridge run, which must be fixed strictly horizontally at the height provided for by the project. Diagonal rafters made of timber or double boards are attached to the ridge run.

To ensure the required length of the diagonal rafters, in some cases it is necessary to mount them in two parts. To unload the joint, it is recommended to install a support under it. The greatest rigidity of the structure can be achieved if the joint with the support is located at a distance equal to a quarter of the length of the rafter from its upper part, fixed to the ridge. In general, for the installation of diagonal rafters, it is most convenient to use prefabricated (glued) rafter legs, which are highly durable and ideal for erecting complex structures.

After installing the main structure, consisting of a ridge run and diagonal rafters, rafters are mounted for mounting the crate. The peculiarities of the hip roof include the use of not only full-sized rafter legs, which are attached to the ridge with the upper part (central rafters), but also joists - corner rafters, resting on the diagonal rafters with their upper end. The length of the sprigs decreases as it approaches the corner of a triangular or trapezoidal slope. The spacing of the rafter legs is determined at the design stage, and at least three central rafters must be mounted on each slope, regardless of its length.


To ensure the rigidity of the entire structure, supports, puffs and braces are installed in the right places. The installation of the crate completes the creation of the truss system. Mounted waterproofing, roofing material. From the inside, insulation and vapor barrier are fixed. If it is planned to use the space under the roof as a living space, special attention should be paid to thermal insulation and ventilation of the roof. In addition, it is necessary to design and then correctly mount roof windows.

Details on how to build a hipped roof on your own can be found in the thematic video.


A four-slope truss roof is considered a rather complex structure. The construction of such a structure is recommended to be entrusted to experienced professionals who will help to correctly calculate the angle of inclination of the supporting beams and select the optimal weight of roofing materials.

This design has both advantages and disadvantages. Before choosing a similar roof for your home, it is recommended that you carefully consider the positive and negative sides of a hipped roof.

The main advantage of such a structure lies in the aesthetic appearance of a residential building. Thanks to this, the house acquires smooth and streamlined shapes.

Varieties of a hipped roof

There are several types of such a design. The standard structure is isosceles triangles that connect at a central point.

Beginning builders often confuse a hipped roof with an ordinary hipped roof. It consists of triangles, which in the top view form a regular square.

If the plan shows a rectangle, then we are dealing with a hip structure. She received this name as a result of the use of special slopes, which have the appearance of a tong - a hip.


The four-pitched roof is divided into the following types:

  • Dutch;
  • half hip Dutch;
  • half hip Danish;
  • tent.

The Dutch roof is distinguished by its resistance to climatic disasters. Two trapezoidal slopes are used here. The upper parts have long regular triangles, and the side ones are presented in the form of shortened corners.

In this case, a rafter system is used, in which four inclined beams are used with the required slope angle. The calculation of the hipped roof is based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe building.

Thanks to this, it is possible to correctly position the inclined beams and the distance between them.

A half-hip Dutch roof can be made as a gable or four-pitched roof truss. For the construction of such a structure, it is recommended to carefully select building materials.

Bearing supports should be made of dense wood species of trees. This variety is distinguished by its durability and endurance in relation to natural disasters.


Advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a hipped roof? Experienced specialists highlight the following positive qualities of such a structure. These include:

  • lack of gables. Thanks to this, it is possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the roof;
  • minimum angle of inclination of roof slopes. In this case, the hipped roof system allows you to adjust the length of the hanging logs. These elements help to make them an additional canopy for the veranda;
  • aesthetic appearance of a residential building. The house acquires smooth and streamlined lines.

The disadvantages include the following reasons:

  • complex installation. You can make such a roof yourself, if you have special skills;
  • high consumption of building materials. To create a hip roof, it is necessary to make four slopes, which require additional marking and deformation of the roofing;
  • construction of an attic space is required. If this requirement is neglected, then the risk of partial collapse of the erected structure increases.

Do-it-yourself four-pitched roof

How to make a hipped roof with your own hands? We bring to your attention detailed instructions that will help you properly build this design.

It includes:

Calculation of a hipped roof. This manipulation allows you to correctly calculate the amount of building material, the distance between the bearing lags and the angle of inclination of the roofing. The roof area will be slightly larger than the width of the ceiling span.

Drawings of a hipped roof. Here are detailed calculations and additional elements for attaching load-bearing logs.

Ceiling construction. To do this, use dense wood, which is fixed at a distance of 50 cm from each other. Next, lay a layer of waterproofing, which will prevent the appearance of mold and excessive humidity in the room.


Metal reinforcement is installed on concrete walls. Bearing beams will be attached to it in the future.

Now proceed to the construction of beam spans. They are fixed with metal corners and embedded anchors. When installing, it is important to observe the angle of inclination. For a classic Dutch roof, 45-50 degrees must be observed.

Next, we proceed to the manufacture of the attic space. It will be located in the center of the roof structure. To do this, make rectangles from a dense bar. For a roof with an area of ​​​​50 m2, 4-5 elements will be needed;

The frame of beams will rest on the upper boundaries of the rectangular structures. The beams should form a 45 degree angle at the top. All elements are fixed with anchors with plastic nozzles.

When the frame is completed, go to the roofing deck. Here you can use a metal profile, or soft tiles. The photo of the hipped roof shows the workflow.

Photo hipped roof