ROOFS:
STRUCTURAL
BASICS
In a gable roof, the
outward thrust of the
rafters will force the walls
out at the top unless
restrained by ceiling joists.
A structural ridge is
another solution.
A cluster of sheds can create visual interest while maintaining structural simplicity
by Paul Hanke
In Japanese the word for roof and the
word for house are the same, indicating
the importance of this element in creating
shelter. Moreover, what we call a
roof is really a system, consisting of
many components that must work
together effectively to provide troublefree
service.
Design Loads:
How Much is Enough?
How much load must a roof be able
to support? This is crucial for the
designer and builder to know, especially
in snow country. It is