How to make a Chinese roof. Why are the roofs of Chinese pagodas curved? The history of the emergence of the Chinese roof

16.06.2019

Despite the difference in teachings and beliefs, the presence of unusual sacraments and exotic rites, European countries one way or another, they gravitate towards oriental traditions, which attract attention with their mystery and sophistication, originality and brightness. The described trend is typical for almost all spheres of life and, first of all, for architecture. The buildings erected by the hands of oriental architects are distinguished by their originality and attractiveness, and the first thing you involuntarily pay attention to when looking at them is Chinese roofs, which can be single or multi-tiered. Regardless of this, the roof of the Chinese house is a massive structure, characterized by the presence of curved edges and giving the Chinese building majesty and, at the same time, elegance. The curved shape of the Chinese roof is not only a design refinement, but also a way to reduce the weight of the roof structure, making it possible to equip it without rafters, based on a post-and-beam structure. Unusual geometry is not the only advantage of Chinese roofing. Individual elements of this architectural refinement are distinguished by pretentious patterns and rich mosaic decoration and are often found as part of traditional European buildings. They unusually harmoniously combine the severity wooden ornaments and almost weightless, fragile decorative elements. Despite the apparent complexity of the design of the Chinese roof, even an inexperienced craftsman, following the advice presented in the article, will be able to build it on his own. At the same time, it is important to pay attention not only to the main details of construction, but also to small nuances that facilitate the process of installation activities.

Chinese roofs: a bit of history

The traditions of the East that have developed over several millennia determine the features of architectural sights and their elements. The Chinese roof is no exception. As the finishing element of China's houses and religious buildings, it is characterized by a variety of decorations and curved corners. There are even ancient legends explaining design features this architectural element. According to one of them, at night, dragons descend from rooftops in order to harm people. Thanks to the bent corners of the roof, they fail to do so and are forced to fly back into the sky. However, this is far from the only and not the most popular reason, which today explains the presence of raised corners in Chinese-style roofs. Modern architects offer a more prosaic and understandable, in terms of practical features, version. In accordance with it, the presence of raised curved corners at the roof in the Chinese style is due to the large amount of precipitation in the area where the construction of houses is most often completed with the arrangement of such architectural elements. These design features of the Chinese roof contribute to a more efficient removal of precipitation at a remote distance from the walls of the building. In addition, the protruding overhangs of the Chinese roof protect the interior of the building from excessive sunlight.

Chinese roofs photo

Design features of Chinese architecture

Due to fairly frequent earthquakes, Chinese buildings are equipped in such a way that they can effectively withstand the high seismic activity of the area. This is achieved by the structural features of the building and, in particular, the roof, which rests on a central pillar, often not even dug into the ground and designed to absorb vibrations of the earth's crust, which is aimed at protecting the building. In ancient times, the roofs of poor houses were covered with bamboo, while wealthy people decorated their dwellings with yellow glazed tiles made of clay. In addition, to decorate such roofs, decorative images of animals were used, according to the eastern inhabitants, protecting the house from evil spirits, and carvings, some elements were painted with oil paint.

Despite the similarity of the traditions of China and Japan, the construction of Japanese houses is carried out according to a completely different principle. In most cases, they are a frame covered with paper, and therefore, they are more like a structure without windows and doors. All vertically oriented planes act as partitions, thanks to which the building is quickly restored in the event of frequent earthquakes, and if the building does collapse, the debris will not cause much harm to a person. The absence of a foundation and powerful load-bearing walls made of wood or stone only contributes to the safety of the building.

The nuances of building a Chinese roof: what to look for?

Before implementing the device of the Chinese roof, it is necessary to highlight its main differences from European roofing systems. The main element of the Chinese roof is the pagoda, characterized as a stepped square roof with raised edges. For the manufacture of Chinese roofing, wood is used - larch, pine, oak, spruce or bamboo, and as facing material- stone tiles, metal or natural tiles.

The presence of several levels is a distinctive feature of the Chinese roof, which not only gives it a special charm, but also imposes certain obligations on the appearance of the house and its architectural concept.

Important! If you are planning to arrange a gazebo, complemented by a Chinese roof, the design should be open and light, while the features of traditional oriental style should be clearly traced in the conceptual solution of a residential building. When choosing the overall design of the building, pay attention to the combination of its individual elements, since a massive stone house with European features, complemented by a Chinese-style roof, is unlikely to delight even a simple layman who knows nothing about architecture.

The spectacular openwork construction of the roof with its edges directed to the sky is the main element of the building, which attracts attention when looking at the works of Chinese architecture. Despite the fact that recreating the design of the Chinese roof is fraught with certain difficulties, if you follow the basic nuances, you can easily avoid them. Let's consider what these nuances are.

The main parameters of roofs made in the Chinese style, which distinguish them from works of European architecture:

Unlike European buildings, works of Chinese architecture are built on the basis of a sewer-and-beam structure. The truss system, which serves as the basis for European houses, rests on load-bearing walls, while the basis of Chinese buildings is the central pillar that takes on all the loads. The design of hanging rafters, which take place in European architecture, implies the presence of struts, rafter legs and puffs. Support bars, ceiling beams and other elements characteristic of European construction are designed to give the structure rigidity and strength, however, works of Chinese architecture are devoid of these elements. If in European houses the arrangement of the truss system is carried out according to the principle of a triangle, then the load distribution in eastern houses is carried out according to the principle of a rectangle;
For the installation of the Chinese roof, cylindrical tiles are used, the uniqueness of the shape of which is determined by the need to fasten it at the corner joints. To give the roof a special flavor, it is necessary to use a special profile and figurines with fantastic images, called the “qiang show”. The installation of the roof ridge is carried out according to a similar scheme, while the qiang-shou is replaced with ceramic clamps, the specific "horned" configuration of which attracts attention when looking at the Chinese roof;
Distinctive feature Chinese roofing is the use of large cornices that protrude far beyond the building and thereby protect the building from excessive climatic influences, such as excessive ultraviolet radiation, strong wind other. Thanks to big weight cornices, the entire mass of the roof is distributed in such a way that the entire structure of the building acquires increased stability. As for the dougong cornice system, it completely takes on the weight of the cornices.

Important! Specific characteristics of Chinese roofing:

Uniform load distribution in the horizontal and vertical planes of the frame;

The scheme of the Chinese roof suggests the presence of corners bent upwards;

The upper part of the roof is characterized by the presence of a steep slope, which becomes more gentle downwards.

An integral element of the Chinese roof are massive cornices, which protrude far beyond the outer walls of the house;

To ensure timely removal of precipitation from the outer surface of the roof and effective protection her inner surface from excess sunlight, it is equipped with overhangs that also protrude above outer walls at a considerable distance;

In eastern architecture, Chinese roofs are not uncommon, characterized by a multi-tiered structure.

Chinese roof scheme: original or imitation?

If you still prefer the Chinese roof, you need to pay special attention to its design, since already at this stage it is important to decide whether you will keep its unique design during the construction process or limit yourself to its external imitation. The construction of a unique structure is a rather expensive undertaking, while by performing only its external imitation, you can not only save money, but also build a building that is more practical for the middle lane.

Important! The main difference in the design of the European and traditional eastern roofs is the presence or absence of a truss system. The construction of houses in Japan and China assumes the absence of rafters, as they are replaced by a support-beam system that is more resistant to frequent seismic activity. In this regard, in the case of erecting a structure in an area where there is no such danger, you can remain faithful to the traditional structural systems for the middle lane.

If you carefully study the photographs showing Chinese roofs, you will notice that they have many similarities with some structures familiar to the European continent, the most striking example of which is a summer gazebo - a pagoda that fits well into the surrounding landscape.

First of all, decide on the configuration of the future roof and develop a roof project. Experts believe that the construction of a hipped roof is fraught with certain difficulties, and therefore, they recommend opting for simpler structures, preferring a gable roof with two gables. Despite the fact that this option is one of the simplest, you can still satisfy your desire to become the owner of a building, complemented by an exotic roof structure.

The next step involves the design of the carrier system. Particular attention must be paid to the rafters and the crate, since it is they who determine the reliability and appearance roofs. At the same time, do not forget that the use of traditional frame technology is not typical of oriental architecture, and therefore, the usual walls should be replaced by a support column located strictly in the middle and fully taking on all the loads. In traditional European construction, this function is performed by load-bearing walls.

Important! If the European roof structures familiar to us are characterized by a “triangular” load distribution, then this principle is alien to Eastern architecture. The load of the roof in Chinese buildings is distributed over the surface of the building in the form of a rectangle, according to general form designs. In addition, Chinese roofs are characterized by a multi-tiered design, and therefore, they often represent several roofs stacked one on top of the other.

If you are planning to build a multi-storey structure, contact a professional architect who will tell you how to implement this idea correctly so that it effectively protects from rain and, at the same time, is resistant to earthquakes.

Before starting work, draw detailed plan, in great detail displaying the structural nuances of the truss system. Thanks to this, you will be able to assemble it as accurately as possible and calculate the required amount of material. Most suitable material for covering under roofing material is a moisture-resistant plywood, the use of which will allow you to repeat all the roofing bends as accurately as possible. Everything wooden elements included in the roof structure, including moisture-resistant plywood, it is desirable to impregnate antiseptic formulations to prevent damage by insects.

The design of the truss system is carried out in accordance with the prepared sketch, while striving as much as possible to achieve distinguishing feature Chinese roof - its concave profile. To accomplish this, two versions of the Chinese roof have been developed.

How to build a Chinese roof: options

Rafter system, which is based on a pyramid with a rectangular base

If you have given preference to such an arrangement, be aware that, in this case, the rafter quadrangle acts as a carrier system. By placing them on top of each other, you will get the pyramid you are looking for.

If you are equipping a gable roof, the length of both quadrangles will be the same. To obtain a parabolic curve of the roof, it is necessary to choose the height of the racks and the width of the trusses. It is important to note that the most suitable material for the manufacture of batten elements are boards with a thickness of 20 mm. Starting from the skates, they are attached towards the cornice, and therefore, the number of segments located on the same line corresponds to the number of rafter quadrangles.
The arrangement of the boards of the crate is carried out in such a way that their joints are located in the middle of the edged boards that are part of the crate.

Rafter system in the form of hanging rafters

To make the arrangement of such a truss system, you will need the following materials :

Boards, characterized by a section of 15x3 cm;
Boards necessary for arranging the crate, the thickness of which is 2 cm;
Sheets of moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of not more than 1 cm.

How to make a Chinese roof: making a truss system

Trying to clearly maintain a right angle (90 degrees), fasten the rack clearly in the middle of the support beam;
Divide the distance obtained between the rack and the support beam in half and fix one of the ends of the rafter leg at the obtained point. Fasten the second end to the free edge of the rack;
Determine the center of the rafter leg, then fix one end of the board at the resulting point. The second end must be attached to the edge of the support beam;
In order to get a smoother bend of the roof during the work, add an additional brace;
In a mirror image from the central post, repeat all of the above operations on the other side of the support post;
Upon completion of the work, you will receive a complete roof truss. Their number varies depending on the size of the roof. It is important to remember that the acceptable distance between trusses is 50-70 cm;
The next stage in the arrangement of the truss structure is the installation of the crate, which should be located horizontally. It is important to remember that the crate pitch is determined by the width of the plywood sheet;
Having finished the arrangement of the crate, you can proceed with the installation of plywood. On a sheet of plywood, make cuts for 3/4 of its thickness, which is necessary to ensure a tighter fit of the plywood to the crate. The number of cuts to be made is variable and depends on the slope of the roof slope. Their number is directly proportional to the radius of curvature of the slope (the larger it is, the more cuts need to be made);
Having installed the plywood in place, proceed to the direct arrangement of the roof. Experts recommend using roll materials or piece flexible roofing material, such as shingles, slate tiles small size or European tiles.

Important! If you want to fully realize your artistic vision, use soft shingles, which are characterized by light weight, the ability to follow all the curves of a Chinese roof and an attractive appearance.

For the arrangement of the roof, you can also use copper, which is one of the best and, at the same time, the most expensive materials for Chinese roofing.
The curved ends of the Chinese roof are made using ready-made metal or wooden structures.
The specific color of the Chinese roof can be realized with the help of decorative figurines of dragons and other animals, for the manufacture of which materials are used that are resistant to high humidity and temperature fluctuations.

You can take a half-timbered roof structure as a basis and supplement it with specific elements to achieve the desired result;
Or supplement truss system roofing metal profiles increased flexibility, thanks to which the roof configuration will acquire the necessary airiness.

1. What is unusual about Chinese roofing?

2. The need for construction

3. We analyze the complexity of the work and carry out the installation

4. Installing the roof

5. China roof construction council

Eastern traditions for the Russian people have always been characterized by mystery, sophistication and uniqueness.

This applies to almost everything - clothing style, cuisine, traditions. But it is most noticeable in architecture. You find elements of the oriental tradition in many countries of the world that stand out from the rest for their luxury and richness, patterns of complexity and seriousness of jewelry, subtle and unpredictable elements.

So, what is attractive about a Chinese-style roof?

In this article, we will discuss how to build a roof in China and how to achieve a unique design based design.

We will also determine if a Chinese roof is possible with your own hands or if it is better to contact the experts.

Before we move on to the technology, we will understand what is known about the Chinese roof structure, which is not like the classic solutions for us. And what is the name of the Chinese roof in a different way, more correctly? The answer here is simple - a pagoda, a stepped roof of a square shape with slightly curved corners. This roof is made of wood.

The most commonly used are pine, bamboo, larch, spruce or oak. For roofing, use metal, tiles or stone slabs.

China roof can have several levels.

This feature gives this architectural solution such charm and charm. At the same time, such a solution changes the whole look of the house, and special requirements are placed on the building.

For example, a gazebo with a roof is simple and open, and the house has typical Chinese architecture (read: How to make a roof for pavilions - instructions). A massive stone castle in the conservative European tradition is unlikely to look harmonious with the bizarre shape of the pagoda.

The exterior design of the Chinese roof has a completely traditional indoor unit.

Unusual view on the roof attached to the corners, inclined upwards. It is this element that creates the greatest difficulty in building such a structure, since the roof cannot be easily covered with one's own hands. In addition, a special approach is needed to regulate the space under the roof.

For do-it-yourself Chinese roof construction, this is in principle realistic, but it is necessary to consult specialists who know all the subtle types of this type of architecture.

The need for construction

But why did such roof shapes begin to be used in China?

What caused this choice of architects? The answer is very simple. Most of China is located in a region with high seismic activity.

Therefore, all buildings must not only have high power, but also handle powerful earthquakes without hacking.

This roof shape hides one function. In the center lies a pillar, which is attached to the depths. Thanks to this roof, it becomes an umbrella.

This solution provides high strength and reliability. Almost every citizen of China could create such a house with such a roof.

The decision on the roof structure of this project must take into account some shades:

the feasibility of such a structure;
availability of suitable materials;
the possibility of installing such a structure;
availability of sufficient financial resources.

We analyze the complexity of the work and carry out the installation

So, how to build a Chinese roof?

Particular attention in this case is given to rafters and containers, as they affect the appearance and reliability of the roof. At the same time, for traditional architecture, the traditional wire mesh technology is foreign. This means that instead of the middle walls, a rack should be installed that will capture all the load from the roof. In the European building system the weight of the roof is distributed along the supporting walls, which means that the forces are directed along the circumference of the rectangle.

In addition, the Chinese roof is often multi-layered, which is several roofs that are located one on top of the other.

Therefore, the construction of such a building requires special knowledge and experience. Only a professional architect will be able to tell you how to properly implement such an idea.

As a result, the roof must be well protected from rain and wind and will not suffer from an earthquake.

Roof installation

Consider simplest design Chinese roof. Before building a roof, you need to determine the desired shape and form.

After that, the Chinese roof is designed, drawing on paper. We do not forget that in the climatic conditions in Russia there will only be an imitation of such a roof. You can place a simple design with your own hand, with more complex roof options you can't avoid bringing in an expert.

In addition, drawings of the Chinese roof in various modifications are available in the public domain. There are many pictures on the internet to help you determine the shape you want.

According to the calculations, the necessary Construction Materials. Firstly, the panels are 1.5 m long and 30 cm wide.

We install the leg of the rope along the central axis of the roof base, so we get a support rod. The same row is located on the opposite side of the building. The result is a rectangular figure in the shape of a cone.

The cover is pretty simple. Wooden boards are mounted on pedals and base plates that are perpendicular to the ground.

The main roof frame is ready. Now take the plywood sheets, which should have flexibility, using the notches. After that, the leaves are attached to the box.

In the role of roofing material, soft bituminous tiles are ideal (in more detail: "How to make a soft roof"). He has light weight, completely repeats all the edges of the roof (see "Soft tiles with your own hand").

The roof can also be covered with copper. But this solution is expensive. Therefore, we must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a roofing material. Now we know how to build roofs of Chinese houses, moving on to some tips that can make life a lot easier.

The world to build a Chinese roof

As can be seen from the above, the design of this roof is different from the traditional solutions that have been used for centuries in our country.

Here are some expert tips to help you figure out the structure of a simple Chinese roof structure.

How to make Chinese style arburo, more in the video:

Chinese pagoda - do-it-yourself energy protection

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Before you get started, you need to plan carefully.

The smallest detail should show the spike system. This will allow you to correctly assemble and calculate necessary material. As a permanent covering under the roof, it is recommended to choose waterproof plywood, which is flexible and allows you to repeat all roofs.

All wooden elements are impregnated with a special antiseptic that protects the structure from decay and insects.

All elements of such a roof are exhibited in accordance with a certain pattern, so they must be made before work begins.

This approach allows you to reduce construction time, and it is much easier.

We hope that this article explains what the Chinese roof is, whose name appears more and more often in different literature. Such an element of architecture will be able to decorate your home and choose it from a variety of similar solutions.

If you're determined to get started with your built roof, it's a good idea to work on simpler structures first - for example, in a pavilion (more details: "Roll Gutters with Hands - How-To"). Only when you understand the characteristics of the scissor system and the laying of the roof material can you get to work on installing a complete Chinese roof.

The projects of Finnish houses, developed by Peura specialists, have absorbed all the best that made this type of wooden buildings famous all over the world.

Firstly, in their construction, only high-quality, natural construction and Decoration Materials. This serves as a guarantee that they are environmentally friendly and reliably insulated.

Secondly, these Finnish houses are distinguished by a functional layout. Every detail is thought out here: from bedrooms to technical rooms and traditional saunas built into the house, which sets the necessary level of comfort for the whole family.

Thirdly, the maturity of the technology makes it possible to ensure both the efficiency of assembling a house on a turnkey basis and the best prices for all projects.

Chinese gazebo - construction features

Separately, it should be noted that the Peura catalog of Finnish houses includes many models. They differ in design (from classic to modern, with an abundance of glass facades), area (from 80 to 200 and more square meters), number of storeys and cost.

Here you can choose exactly what fully meets all your expectations.

Chinese roofs - why are they bent?

Roofs in Chinese architecture have not only purely practical, but also mystical significance.

It is considered that Chinese roofs are bent to the top to protect against evil spirits - Buddhists believed that the bends drive away evil spirits in an attack on the house, usually taking the form of a straight line. Temple roofs made of glazed ceramic tiles, with their graceful forms reminiscent of cave vaults. The unusual look of the roof is achieved by a complex fit of short and long rafters.

In China, even ordinary houses had such a complex roof.

However, one had to be careful with the decoration of the roofs: the huge weight could eventually crush the entire structure. That's why the Chinese add an extra column to support the roof at the outer edges, reducing the fasteners to mere decoration. Staples are decorated intricate carving, paintings with bright colors and other eye-pleasing beauty.

A distinctive feature of Chinese roofs is a large amount of symbolism. It is present in the color of the cornices, and in the choice of roofing materials, and in the top decorations.

The roof usually consists of undulating tiles that run horizontally and round ridges that run vertically. Vertical beams are made of bamboo, which symbolizes youth and longevity. Since gold is very good, imperial roofs were usually made gilded or yellow. Green roofs symbolize bamboo poles, which, in turn, as already mentioned, in China have the meaning of youth and longevity.

Fine curved roofs can be found in temple complex Wong Tai Sin in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

The decorations on the roof include dragons with bells, a man riding a chicken, a variety of guardian animals, and a success-bringing carp. The more important the building, the more such guardians "live" on it. The number of levels of a Chinese roof is also a status symbol. Roof guardians are usually called upon to protect the building from evil spirits, fires and other disasters.

For example, on the roof of the Hall Supreme Harmony there are a lot of guardians in the Forbidden City (Beijing).

How to make a Chinese roof - the nuances of construction

Their team includes various beasts, the mentioned man on the chicken, Xing On (a winged demon with a sword, the only one in the Forbidden City), dragons that symbolize imperial power. In total, 11 figures. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most important building in the Forbidden City. The two-layer roof makes the palace even more majestic.

Animal figurines on the roofs of Chinese palaces, temples and other ancient buildings are not only original jewelry- they also represent the owner's status in the feudal hierarchy.

The design of the whole Chinese style house is designed in such a way that they can even withstand earthquakes, since they happen quite often in their area. The Chinese roof rests on a central pillar and most often it does not even dig into the ground. As a result of this, the pillar restrains all vibrations of the earth's crust, and neither the house nor the roof is indestructible.

A few dozen years earlier, the roofs of poor houses were covered with bamboo, and glazed tiles were only on expensive houses, and most often such roofing material was made from bright clay. yellow color. In addition, the roof was decorated with various images of animals that act as protectors of the house from evil forces. And besides, the roofs could be decorated with carvings, and its individual elements were decorated with oil paints.

The difference between Chinese and Japanese roofs

The Chinese style roof is somewhat different from traditional Japanese roofs. The fact is that in Japan, houses are built using a slightly different technology, there, basically, it is a frame covered with special paper. In our understanding, there are no windows or doors. And there all the vertical planes are used exclusively as partitions. Such structures are built for the reason that they are easily restored after an earthquake and do not cause much harm to people when a house collapses under the influence of underground forces. Also in the case of Japanese houses, a strong foundation is not used there, and the load-bearing walls are made of stone or brick.

If we take a closer look at Chinese roofs, then in essence it is a certain hipped roof with well-known corner shapes. But this is only an external property. The internal structure of the roof and its truss system is significantly different from traditional European-style designs.

Before you start creating a Chinese-style roof, you need to decide whether it will be a real Chinese roof or its imitation. If you create a real roof with a Chinese slope, then it will be an expensive pleasure, and if you are ready to spend a considerable amount to create such a roof, then this option is for you. But if you want to make a Chinese-style summer gazebo, then it is quite possible to use an imitation of a Chinese roof, since it will also blend harmoniously with the landscape.

Chinese roof - how to create it correctly?

Fashion for things in oriental style from time to time rolls around the world and gains its fans. But there are those people who do not succumb to such a temporary fashion, since they are constant adherents of the East in literally everything from food to architecture.

How a Chinese roof is created, whether it can be used to create a roof in a residential or utility room with your own hands, you can find out a little below.

A building built in the style of Far Eastern architecture can be easily distinguished from afar and literally at first sight, since such structures have an original and somewhat unusual appearance.

The main reason is the pronounced Chinese-style roof, with gently elongated upward corners present. For any non-specialist in oriental style roofing, such a roof is absolutely original and original.

But upon closer examination of the roof, it can be noted that it has analogues in traditional European-style architecture, these can be the so-called half-timbered or “Dutch” roofs. And the main difference lies in the break at an angle and in the complete absence of reverse bending of the ribs.

And therefore, in appearance for the Western classification, the design of the Chinese roof is not something special, since it is a common hip roof with a broken slope (here, different parts of the slope have different angles of inclination) or half-hip. But half-hip is used only when there are skylights(may have pediments).

But the fact is that this will only be correct for the shape of the roof, since the fact is that the supporting structures in Japan or Asia are specifically different from each other. And, therefore, before you start building a Chinese-style roof, as already mentioned, decide whether it will be the original design of the Chinese roof or just its imitation, since there are a lot of differences.

Creating an original Chinese roof is much more difficult, but in fact it is necessary to create a building exclusively according to the Chinese canon. But in the case of an imitation of a Chinese roof, it will be possible to create it using the usual structural solutions. But still, only professionals and experts in this field can cope with the creation of both the first and second versions of the roof, because it has many features and difficulties.

Before you build such a stylish roof with your own hands, you need to decide how it differs so much from others. Its main element is a pagoda, that is, a stepped square roof with slightly curved edges. Such a roof is made of wood, pine, larch, bamboo, oak, spruce are excellent for this; natural tiles, metal, stone tiles are used for cladding.

Such a Chinese-style roof can have several levels, which gives it a special charm, but also imposes certain obligations on the appearance of the whole house or building.

The gazebo in this case should be light and open, and the residential building should have features similar to the traditional Chinese style. A stone and massive mansion with European features and such a roof will look ridiculous, so when choosing a general design, pay attention to the correspondence of its individual elements.

The roof, made in the oriental style, is a tent construction, the corners of which are greatly changed, although its internal structure is quite traditional. Its unusual appearance is due precisely to the corners that are bent upwards. During construction, this often causes difficulties. Difficulties arise in covering it with roofing materials, arranging the under-roof space.

You can build such a roof with your own hands, but here you need advice from professional builders who will tell you the intricacies of Chinese architecture.
The nuances of construction

Why did roofs in China acquire such forms? What prompted the architects of that time to give them such unusual features? The answer, in general, is quite simple: this region is subject to increased seismic activity, so all buildings had to be not only durable, but also withstand any tremors that could destroy the roof and walls.

Therefore, it was precisely this form of roof that was chosen, which in the center would rest on a supporting pillar, strengthened at a depth. The roof of houses of this form became very reliable and durable, similar to an umbrella that shakes in the wind, but does not overturn. Almost every adult local resident could build such a structure.

When building a Chinese roof, you must immediately take into account all the nuances, which include:

The feasibility of the building

the availability of materials suitable for work and, in general, the possibility of installing just such a design;

availability of financial resources, since the construction of such a structure is quite expensive.
We analyze the complexity of the work and carry out installation

So how do you build a Chinese-style roof with your own hands? Particular attention should be paid to the rafters and the crate, since the reliability and type of the roof will depend on them. It is worth recalling that oriental architecture does not know what traditional frame technology, that is, instead of the walls we are used to, a special support column should go strictly in the middle, taking on the full load. In European construction, load-bearing walls take on such a load.

The load of the roof is distributed over the building in the form of a rectangle, according to the general shape, while the usual roofs have a triangular distribution. In addition, the design of the Chinese roof is often multi-tiered, it looks like several roofs stacked one on top of the other.

When constructing such a building, it is necessary to contact an experienced architect who can tell you exactly how to implement such an idea correctly. The result should be a building that will protect from rain and will not suffer from an earthquake.
Roof installation

Consider now how to build a Chinese-style roof with your own hands. To begin with, we select the desired roof option and draw its drawing. Let's not forget that our climatic conditions allow you to make only an imitation of such a building. When building a simple structure, you can do it on your own. If you want something on a larger scale, then the work should be entrusted only to proven specialists. An inexperienced team of workers who have seen such a roof only in pictures is unlikely to help you do something worthwhile.

After the calculations, we purchase materials and proceed to installation. First, we fix boards with a length of one and a half meters and a width of thirty centimeters in the center. We put the rafter leg in the center of the resulting base, that is, we get a support beam connected to the middle. Now repeat the same with the other side of the structure. Thus, we get a quadrangular figure in the form of a cone with ribs and a slightly curved base.

The crate is very simple: we nail on the rafter legs and the supporting side bars wooden planks, which should be perpendicular. So, the main structure, so to speak, the skeleton of the roof, we have it ready. Now we take plywood sheets, which we give flexibility to a number of notches, and fasten them to the crate.

As roofing soft bituminous tiles are excellent, which are lightweight, perfectly follow all the curves of the roof, and have an attractive appearance. You can also cover the roof with copper, but this option is very expensive, before you decide on it, you need to carefully consider the need for such a step, although copper plating and is considered the best. So, we looked at how to build a Chinese-style roof with our own hands, now let's move on to the tips.
Chinese Roof Tips

Most often for Chinese roofs, shingles are used as roofing.

As we can see, the design is distinguished by its complexity and some simplicity, which greatly distinguishes it from traditional structures. We offer some tips from our experts that will help you deal with the construction of the simplest modification of the eastern roof on your own and completely transform any structure that it will crown.

Before starting work, draw a thorough plan that will display the entire rafter system, which will allow not only to assemble correctly, but also to calculate the material. As a coating for roofing material, it is best to take moisture-resistant plywood, which will allow you to completely repeat all the bends of the roof. It is advisable to thoroughly impregnate plywood, and indeed all wooden elements, with special antiseptic compounds that will help protect the structure from insects.

Chinese roof drawing

All roof elements are set according to a specific template, so prepare such a full-size template before starting work. This will help reduce construction time, make it better.

The roof is the first thing you notice when you see a Chinese-style house. It can be one- or multi-tiered, but in any case, its massive construction with curved edges gives the Chinese house, on the one hand, a kind of majesty, and on the other, elegance. The curved shape contributed to a significant reduction in the mass of the roof (by almost a third), which made it possible to build Chinese roofs of houses without rafters based on a post-and-beam structure.

The design of the Chinese roof is characterized by a break at an angle and the absence of a reverse bend at the ribs. According to the internal structure, the design of the rafter system, in certain details it differs significantly from European standards. For example, in contrast to the Western, the absence in Chinese version truss system based on load-bearing walls or the absence of rafter legs and struts, suspension rafter puffs.

Note that the load experienced by the roof, according to Chinese technology, is distributed over the structure, in contrast to the "European" triangle, in the form of a rectangle.

The device of the Chinese roof according to the relevant rules of traditional oriental architecture is a rather expensive undertaking. Therefore, it may be more expedient to deal with the device of its imitation or limit itself to the construction of a small pagoda on your site.

How to make a Chinese roof: device steps

Roof project development

First of all, you need to understand the configuration future roof and sketch. It should immediately be noted that the construction of a hipped roof is associated with great difficulties. Therefore, it is better to opt for a simpler option - gable roof with two fronts. This option will satisfy the desire to have an exotic roof, and the work will be quite simple.

Carrier system design

The rafter system is designed according to the prepared sketch. At the same time, it is necessary to achieve the result of a distinctive feature of the Chinese roof - its concave profile. There are two possible implementations for this.

Rafter system in the form of a pyramid with a rectangular base

With such a device, the main element of the supporting structure is the truss quadrangle. Installed on top of each other, they will form the desired pyramid.

In the case of a gable roof, the quadrangles will have the same length. The parabolic curve of the roof is obtained by selecting the width of the roof trusses and the height of the racks.

Boards having a thickness of 20 mm are taken as the material for the elements of the crate. They are fastened, starting from the ridge, towards the eaves, so the number of these segments on one line corresponds to the number of mounted rafter quadrangles.

Sheathing boards are arranged in such a way that their joints are located in the middle of the edged boards of the truss system.

Hanging rafter system

For the construction of the rafter system, the following materials will be required:
boards with a section of 15x3 cm,
2 cm thick boards used for battens,
plywood, the thickness of which is not more than 1 cm.

How to make a roof truss
strictly in the middle of the support beam, a rack is fixed, while clearly maintaining a right angle (90⁰);
the distance between the post and the edge of the support beam is halved. Further, at the obtained point, one of the ends of the rafter leg is fixed, and the second is attached to the free edge of the rack;

find the center of the rafter leg and at this point fix one end of the board, and the second, respectively, is attached to the edge of the support beam;
to obtain a smoother bend of the roof, add an additional brace;
once again repeat all these operations on the other side of the central pillar - in a mirror image relative to it.

Thus, the result will be a single truss truss. The number of such structural elements determined by the size of the roof. It should be noted that the optimal distance between the roof trusses is 0.5 - 0.7 m.
The next step after the installation of the truss structure is the installation of the crate. The crate should be horizontal, while its step is determined by the width of the plywood.

Roof device
After the installation of the crate, the next step is to install the plywood. On the sheet, cuts are made approximately ¾ of its thickness. This is necessary to ensure a snug fit of plywood to the crate. The number of cuts is determined based on the bend of the slope: the larger the radius of its curvature, the more cuts are needed.
After installing the plywood in place, go directly to the roofing device. Such a roof is recommended to be covered either with rolled materials or piece flexible roofing material, for example, bituminous tiles.

The tile, of course, is more suitable for the embodiment of the general artistic design.

The Chinese style roof has curved ends. Which make out with the help of finished metal or wooden structures.

Modern architects offer a more prosaic and understandable, in terms of practical features, version. In accordance with it, the presence of raised curved corners at the roof in the Chinese style is due to the large amount of precipitation in the area where the construction of houses is most often completed with the arrangement of such architectural elements. These design features of the Chinese roof contribute to a more efficient removal of precipitation at a remote distance from the walls of the building. In addition, the protruding overhangs of the Chinese roof protect the interior of the building from excessive sunlight.

Design features of Chinese architecture

The nuances of building a Chinese roof: what to look for?

Before implementing the device of the Chinese roof, it is necessary to highlight its main differences from European roofing systems. The main element of the Chinese roof is the pagoda, characterized as a stepped square roof with raised edges. For the manufacture of Chinese roofing, wood is used - larch, pine, oak, spruce or bamboo, and as a facing material - stone tiles, metal or natural tiles.

Important! If you are planning to arrange a gazebo, complemented by a Chinese roof, the design should be open and light, while the features of traditional oriental style should be clearly traced in the conceptual solution of a residential building. When choosing the overall design of the building, pay attention to the combination of its individual elements, since a massive stone house with European features, complemented by a Chinese-style roof, is unlikely to delight even a simple layman who knows nothing about architecture.

The spectacular openwork structure of the roof with its edges directed to the sky is the main element of the building, which attracts attention when looking at the works of Chinese architecture. Despite the fact that recreating the design of the Chinese roof is fraught with certain difficulties, if you follow the basic nuances, you can easily avoid them. Let's consider what these nuances are.

The main parameters of roofs made in the Chinese style, which distinguish them from works of European architecture:

· Unlike European buildings, works of Chinese architecture are built on the basis of a sewer-and-beam structure. The truss system, which serves as the basis for European houses, rests on load-bearing walls, while the basis of Chinese buildings is the central pillar that takes on all the loads. The design of hanging rafters, which take place in European architecture, implies the presence of struts, rafter legs and puffs. Support bars, ceiling beams and other elements characteristic of European construction are designed to give the structure rigidity and strength, however, works of Chinese architecture are devoid of these elements. If in European houses the arrangement of the truss system is carried out according to the principle of a triangle, then the load distribution in eastern houses is carried out according to the principle of a rectangle;

· For installation of Chinese roofing, cylindrical tiles are used, the uniqueness of the shape of which is determined by the need to fasten it at the corner joints. To give the roof a special flavor, it is necessary to use a special profile and figurines with fantastic images, called the “qiang show”. The installation of the roof ridge is carried out according to a similar scheme, while the qiang-shou is replaced with ceramic clamps, the specific "horned" configuration of which attracts attention when looking at the Chinese roof;

· A distinctive feature of the Chinese roof is the use of large cornices that protrude far beyond the building and thereby protect the building from excessive climatic influences, such as excessive ultraviolet radiation, strong winds, and others. Due to the large weight of the cornices, the entire mass of the roof is distributed in such a way that the entire structure of the building acquires increased stability. As for the dougong cornice system, it completely takes on the weight of the cornices.

Important! Specific characteristics of Chinese roofing:

Uniform load distribution in the horizontal and vertical planes of the frame;

The scheme of the Chinese roof suggests the presence of corners bent upwards;

The upper part of the roof is characterized by the presence of a steep slope, which becomes more gentle downwards.

An integral element of the Chinese roof are massive cornices, which protrude far beyond the outer walls of the house;

To ensure timely removal of precipitation from the outer surface of the roof and effective protection of its inner surface from excess sunlight, it is equipped with overhangs that also protrude above the outer walls at a considerable distance;

In eastern architecture, Chinese roofs are not uncommon, characterized by a multi-tiered structure.

Chinese roof scheme: original or imitation?

Important! The main difference in the design of the European and traditional eastern roofs is the presence or absence of a truss system. The construction of houses in Japan and China assumes the absence of rafters, as they are replaced by a support-beam system that is more resistant to frequent seismic activity. In this regard, in the case of erecting a structure in an area where there is no such danger, you can remain faithful to the traditional structural systems for the middle lane.

The next step involves the design of the carrier system. Particular attention must be paid to the rafters and the crate, as they determine the reliability and appearance of the roof. At the same time, do not forget that the use of traditional frame technology is not typical of oriental architecture, and therefore, the usual walls should be replaced by a support column located strictly in the middle and fully taking on all the loads. In traditional European construction, this function is performed by load-bearing walls.

Important! If the European roof structures familiar to us are characterized by a “triangular” load distribution, then this principle is alien to Eastern architecture. The load of the roof in Chinese buildings is distributed over the surface of the building in the form of a rectangle, according to the general shape of the structure. In addition, Chinese roofs are characterized by a multi-tiered design, and therefore, they often represent several roofs stacked one on top of the other.

Before starting work, draw a detailed plan that displays in great detail the structural nuances of the truss system. Thanks to this, you will be able to assemble it as accurately as possible and calculate the required amount of material. The most suitable material for arranging a coating for roofing material is moisture-resistant plywood, the use of which will allow you to repeat all roofing bends as accurately as possible. It is advisable to impregnate all wooden elements included in the roof structure, including moisture-resistant plywood, with antiseptic compounds that prevent them from being damaged by insects.

The design of the truss system is carried out in accordance with the prepared sketch, while trying as much as possible to achieve the distinctive feature of the Chinese roof - its concave profile. To accomplish this, two versions of the Chinese roof have been developed.

How to build a Chinese roof: options
Rafter system, which is based on a pyramid with a rectangular base

If you have given preference to such an arrangement, be aware that, in this case, the rafter quadrangle acts as a carrier system. By placing them on top of each other, you will get the pyramid you are looking for.

· If you equip a gable roof, the length of both quadrangles will be the same. To obtain a parabolic curve of the roof, it is necessary to choose the height of the racks and the width of the trusses. It is important to note that the most suitable material for the manufacture of batten elements are boards with a thickness of 20 mm. Starting from the skates, they are attached towards the cornice, and therefore, the number of segments located on the same line corresponds to the number of rafter quadrangles.

· The arrangement of the boards of the crate is carried out in such a way that their joints are located in the middle of the edged boards that are part of the crate.

Rafter system in the form of hanging rafters

To make the arrangement of such a truss system, you will need the following materials:

Boards, characterized by a section of 15x3 cm;

Boards necessary for arranging the crate, the thickness of which is 2 cm;

Sheets of moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of not more than 1 cm.

How to make a Chinese roof: making a truss system

· Trying to clearly maintain a right angle (90 degrees), fix the rack clearly in the middle of the support beam;

Divide the distance obtained between the rack and the support beam in half and fix one of the ends of the rafter leg at the obtained point. Fasten the second end to the free edge of the rack;

Determine the center of the rafter leg, then fix one end of the board at the resulting point. The second end must be attached to the edge of the support beam;

· In order to get a smoother bend of the roof during the work, add an additional brace;

· In a mirror image from the central post, repeat all of the above operations on the other side of the support post;

· Upon completion of the work, you will receive a complete truss truss. Their number varies depending on the size of the roof. It is important to remember that the acceptable distance between trusses is 50-70 cm;

The next stage in the arrangement of the truss structure is the installation of the crate, which should be located horizontally. It is important to remember that the crate pitch is determined by the width of the plywood sheet;

· Having completed the arrangement of the crate, you can proceed with the installation of plywood. On a sheet of plywood, make cuts for 3/4 of its thickness, which is necessary to ensure a tighter fit of the plywood to the crate. The number of cuts to be made is variable and depends on the slope of the roof slope. Their number is directly proportional to the radius of curvature of the slope (the larger it is, the more cuts need to be made);

After installing the plywood in place, proceed to the immediate arrangement of the roof. Experts recommend using roll materials or piece flexible roofing material for this, for example, shingles, small slate tiles or euro tiles.

Important! If you want to fully realize your artistic vision, use soft shingles, which are characterized by light weight, the ability to follow all the curves of a Chinese roof and an attractive appearance.

· For the arrangement of the roof, you can also use copper, which is one of the best and, at the same time, the most expensive materials for Chinese roofing.

· The curved ends of the Chinese roof are made using ready-made metal or wooden structures.

· The specific flavor of the Chinese roof can be realized with the help of decorative figurines of dragons and other animals, for the manufacture of which materials are used that are resistant to high humidity and temperature extremes.

If you think that you are not able to implement the traditional Chinese roof design yourself, but still want to build an Oriental-style building, you should know that there are simplified versions of such structures.

· You can take a half-timbered roof construction as a basis and supplement it with specific elements to achieve the desired result;

· Or supplement the roof truss system with metal profiles of increased flexibility, thanks to which the roof configuration will acquire the necessary airiness.

Roofs in Chinese architecture have not only purely practical, but also mystical significance. It is considered that Chinese roofs are bent to the top to protect against evil spirits - Buddhists believed that the bends drive away evil spirits in an attack on the house, usually taking the form of a straight line. The temple roofs, made of glazed ceramic tiles, resemble cave vaults with their graceful forms. The unusual look of the roof is achieved by a complex fit of short and long rafters. In China, even ordinary houses had such a complex roof.

However, the richest houses and palaces had the most special roofs. A perfect example is the Forbidden City and the 13 Ming Dynasty tombs near Beijing, whose roofs are covered with glittering tiles in shades of yellow, green and red. The beams of each roof are surmounted by figurines of strange mythical creatures, and the most elaborate structures usually point towards the southeast. However, one had to be careful with the decoration of the roofs: the huge weight could eventually crush the entire structure. That's why the Chinese add an extra column to support the roof at the outer edges, reducing the fasteners to mere decoration. The braces are decorated with intricate carvings, paintings with bright colors and other eye-catching beauty.

A distinctive feature of Chinese roofs is a large amount of symbolism. It is present in the color of the cornices, and in the choice of roofing materials, and in the top decorations. The roof usually consists of undulating tiles that run horizontally and round ridges that run vertically. Vertical beams are made of bamboo, which symbolizes youth and longevity. Since gold is very good, imperial roofs were usually made gilded or yellow. Green roofs symbolize bamboo poles, which, in turn, as already mentioned, in China have the meaning of youth and longevity.

Beautiful curved roofs can be found at the Wong Tai Sin temple complex in the Kowloon area of Hong Kong. The decorations on the roof include dragons with bells, a man riding a chicken, a variety of guardian animals, and a success-bringing carp. The more important the building, the more such guardians "live" on it. The number of levels of a Chinese roof is also a status symbol. Roof guardians are usually called upon to protect the building from evil spirits, fires and other disasters.

For example, there are a lot of guardians on the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City (Beijing). Their team includes various beasts, the mentioned man on the chicken, Xing On (a winged demon with a sword, the only one in the Forbidden City), dragons that symbolize imperial power. In total, 11 figures. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the most important building in the Forbidden City. The two-layer roof makes the palace even more majestic.

The animal figurines on the rooftops of Chinese palaces, temples and other ancient buildings are not only original decorations - they also represent the owner's status in the feudal hierarchy.

Eastern traditions have always attracted with their mystery, refined and subtle culture, brightness and originality. And this applies to almost everything, and especially architecture. Quite often, one can observe in various countries individual elements of a similar design, which stand out for their lush luxury and richness of mosaic decoration, pretentiousness of patterns, austerity of wooden ornaments, unusually thin and seemingly almost weightless, fragile elements. What is so attractive about the Chinese roof?

Chinese architecture has always attracted with its extraordinary geometry.

In this article, we will reveal all the main details of the construction of such a roof, and our experts will give a few important tips, which will help facilitate the construction of such an unusual, but very attractive design. We will figure out whether it is possible to make such a roof with your own hands or is it better not to risk it.

What is unusual about Chinese roofing?

Particular attention should be paid to the roof frame, since it is he who forms unusual design Chinese roof.

Before you build such a stylish roof with your own hands, you need to decide how it differs so much from others. Its main element is a pagoda, that is, a stepped square roof with slightly curved edges. Such a roof is made of wood, pine, larch, bamboo, oak, spruce are excellent for this; natural tiles, metal, stone tiles are used for cladding.

Such a Chinese-style roof can have several levels, which gives it a special charm, but also imposes certain obligations on the appearance of the whole house or building.

The gazebo in this case should be light and open, and the residential building should have features similar to the traditional Chinese style. A stone and massive mansion with European features and such a roof will look ridiculous, so when choosing a general design, pay attention to the correspondence of its individual elements.

You can build such a roof with your own hands, but here you need advice from professional builders who will tell you the intricacies of Chinese architecture.

The nuances of construction

When building a Chinese roof, you must immediately take into account all the nuances, which include:

the feasibility of the construction;
the availability of materials suitable for work and, in general, the possibility of installing just such a design;
the availability of financial resources, since the construction of such a structure is quite expensive.

We analyze the complexity of the work and carry out installation

So how do you build a Chinese-style roof with your own hands? Particular attention should be paid to the rafters and the crate, since the reliability and type of the roof will depend on them. It is worth recalling that oriental architecture does not know what traditional frame technology is, that is, instead of the walls we are used to, a special support column should go strictly in the middle, taking on the full load. In European construction, load-bearing walls take on such a load.

The load of the roof is distributed over the building in the form of a rectangle, according to the general shape, while the usual roofs have a triangular distribution. In addition, the design of the Chinese roof is often multi-tiered, it looks like several roofs stacked one on top of the other.

Roof installation

The device of the Chinese roof (framework).

Consider now how to build a Chinese-style roof with your own hands. First, select the desired one and make its drawing. Do not forget that our climatic conditions allow us to make only an imitation of such a building. When building a simple structure, you can do it on your own. If you want something on a larger scale, then the work should be entrusted only to proven specialists. An inexperienced team of workers who have seen such a roof only in pictures is unlikely to help you do something worthwhile.

The lathing is very simple: we nail wooden boards to the rafter legs and the supporting side beams, which should go perpendicularly. So, the main structure, so to speak, the skeleton of the roof, we have it ready. Now we take plywood sheets, which we give flexibility to a number of notches, and fasten them to the crate.

As a roofing material, soft bituminous tiles are excellent, which are lightweight, perfectly follow all the curves of the roof, and have an attractive appearance. It is possible to cover the roof with copper, but this option is very expensive, before deciding on it, you must carefully weigh the need for such a step, although copper coating is considered the best. So, we looked at how to build a Chinese-style roof with our own hands, now let's move on to the tips.

Most often for Chinese roofs, shingles are used as roofing.

Everything is exposed according to a certain template, so before starting work, prepare such a template in full size. This will help reduce construction time, make it better.

We hope that our article on how to build a Chinese-style roof with your own hands will help you in the construction of such an unusual element of oriental architecture. If you have never dealt with such buildings, then you should practice with a gazebo, and then take on something more serious.