Flat Timber Roof Structure

The basic construction of a flat roof starts with roofing timber that is laid across two upright items usually two walls.

Flat timber roof structure.

Joists are placed on edge spaced at 400 600mm centres supported by external and internal load bearing walls. This house s roof construction used prefabricated trusses from turner timber with dormer windows factored into the design on the front elevation image credit. The construction of the flat roof is similar to that of the timber upper floor. Uses relatively small timber sections.

The flat roof is an architectural device that is loved by designers for its ability to create simplistic linear forms. Flat roofs can be used to create box shapes cantilevered into daring overhangs or can be planted to create usable vegetated gardens. This will give additional stability to the roof structure. On a basic level flat roof construction comes in the form of roofing timbers or joists as they are more commonly known or steels that are laid across two uprights walls in most cases.

Works best in simple roof designs. For additional stability you can also use steel joists that are built into one or both of the walls. Load bearing or primary structure usually constructed in timber in a residential construction. Where a new flat roof abuts an existing external wall the joists can be hung on metal joist hangers which are fixed to a horizontal timber plate wall bolted to the wall.