The roof ridge - the crown of the house

The final stage of the construction of the house is the arrangement of the roof. Whichever project it is, the skates are intersected at the top, which must be isolated from snow and rain. A roof ridge is a straight line formed by two of its surfaces at the point of intersection. Technically, it is difficult to make, but it is possible.

Preliminary calculations and construction

First you need to calculate what the height of the roof ridge will be. The easiest way to make this calculation for a gable roof triangle is by the Pythagorean theorem. We know the hypotenuse (rafter, c), one of the legs (half the width of the house, b). Then everything is simple: a2 = c² - b².

In other cases, everything is much more complicated, but a geometry book for grade 7 will solve our problems. Determined with the length of the rafter's leg, it must be remembered that the angle of inclination of the roof with respect to the base should be within 35º-60º. Too flat in winter will accumulate a lot of snow on itself, and it does not look very aesthetic. A high roof is heavily mounted, it will take an unjustifiably large amount of material, it also looks not the best way.

To fix the final part of the roof to the roof ridge is attached a wooden beam. In the literature it is often called "ridge run". To it is nailed or attached by screws to the ridge of the roof.

If the roof of the shingles, together with it in the construction stores are selling the final elements. Is going all the same as the designer of "Lego". To the intersection of the roof slopes with self-tapping screws, the run holder is attached. It is shaped like an anchor plate, bent at an angle of 45 °, at the top of the corner - an inverted letter P.

After laying the beam, a ventilation tape is placed in the groove of the holder from above. Elements of ridge tiles are inserted into the grooves and additionally fixed by brackets. On the side of the facade are installed decorative caps. If the stitch consists of a roofing or galvanized sheet, the roof ridge is made of a strip bent at right angles. Self-tapping screws or nails with which it is fastened are recommended to be supplied with a rubber gasket, so that moisture does not get into the place of breakdown. On each side, the final element must have an overlap of 100-150 mm so that the water does not leak inside.

On a note

It should be remembered that the roof hinge of the house should not completely seal the roof completely. The air coming from below through the cornice airs and the ventilation gap under the outer layer is removed into a small space between the material and the ridge. This ensures ventilation. This is especially important for houses with an attic. In summer, the ventilated layer does not allow the room to overheat, in winter it serves as an additional thermal insulation layer. Moreover, if there is insufficient ventilation, the insulation under the influence of condensate will get wet and decompose.

If the surface is smooth (soft roof), a plastic roof ridge, called the "aerator", is used. Such an element is produced for flexible shingles. It has a small height, perforated walls. At the intersection of the skates, a vent slit is made in the roof , the top is covered with a plastic aerator. After fixing the details, cover it with plates of a soft roof.