Lathing design for soft roofing. Which lathing for flexible tiles is better - types and rules of construction How to properly make lathing for flexible tiles

Lathing design for soft roofing. Which lathing for flexible tiles is better - types and rules of construction How to properly make lathing for flexible tiles

There are many varieties of soft roofing. This includes numerous rolled fused materials, soft tiles and roofing felt. These materials may have different operational and visual characteristics, but they also have a common feature - they are all made on the basis of bitumen, which ensures the softness and flexibility of the final product.

For all its flexibility, a soft roof can retain the shape once given to it and withstand various loads - but in order for these properties to manifest themselves, it is necessary to install high-quality and reliable sheathing under the roof. How to make lathing for a soft roof will be discussed in this article.

Types of lathing for soft roofing

There are two fundamentally different types - solid sheathing and lattice. In a lattice sheathing, all elements are located at some distance from each other. As a rule, the pitch of installing boards in such a sheathing varies from 20 to 50 cm. This design is not suitable for soft roofing materials - the gaps between the boards are too large, so the roof will sag in them.

A completely different matter is a solid sheathing, in which, as the name suggests, there are no gaps between the elements or are reduced to a minimum. The maximum sheathing pitch for flexible tiles in this case is 1 cm.

Two types of continuous sheathing can be installed under a soft roof:

  1. Single layer. In this design, the sheathing elements are installed directly on the rafter legs and are located parallel to the ridge girder. For installation of single-layer sheathing, boards, moisture-resistant plywood or OSB are suitable. This design is used quite rarely and only if the roof is covered with roofing felt.
  2. Double layer. This type of lathing consists of two layers, which can be made from the same material or from different ones. First, a rafter system is installed under the soft roof, then the first layer is arranged as a lattice, with a rather large step in installing the elements. A second layer is mounted above it, in which gaps are not allowed. The main advantage of a two-layer sheathing is the presence of a ventilation duct and free space sufficient for laying thermal insulation materials, which makes this design very convenient for arranging a soft roof.

The installation technology of each type of lathing is worth considering in more detail.

Single-layer sheathing made of boards for flexible tiles

As mentioned above, a single-layer sheathing for flexible tiles is attached directly to the rafters and is only suitable for laying roofing felt. In addition, when using such a design, it will not be possible to install insulation, so from the point of view of energy efficiency, single-layer sheathing is not very good.

The frame for a soft roof can be made of tongue-and-groove boards or planks. It is extremely undesirable to choose unedged boards - any roughness and unevenness of this material will certainly lead to deformation of the soft roof, which, in turn, will lead to a decrease in their decorative and operational characteristics.


When choosing boards, you need to take into account the following requirements:

  • The material must have a flat and smooth surface without any irregularities;
  • The width of the boards can vary between 100-140 mm, and the thickness - 20-37 mm;
  • The moisture content of the boards should not exceed 20% (excess moisture in the wood leads to its premature deformation and damage to the roofing);
  • Before making the sheathing, all wooden elements must be impregnated with antiseptics, which will protect the wood from rot, mold and pests.

Structurally, the single-layer sheathing under consideration consists of boards that are packed to the rafters close to each other. The boards must be placed parallel to the ridge. To prevent them from warping over time, they need to be laid with the concave side up, so that moisture that has made its way through the thickness of the roofing will flow out along the boards through the cornice.

It is necessary to begin the process of installing the sheathing from the eaves overhang, gradually moving towards the ridge. The length of the boards must be selected so that they fit exactly on the rafter legs. It is advisable to fasten them as close to the edge as possible, driving nails into the wood up to the head.

The optimal gap between vertical adjacent boards is 3 mm. The presence of such a gap, on the one hand, will provide reliable support for the soft roof, and on the other hand, it will allow the boards to freely change their sizes with changes in temperature and humidity. If you fix them more tightly, then the constant expansion and contraction of the boards will sooner or later lead to their curvature.

Single-layer lathing made of panel materials - pitch, frame thickness

To arrange the sheathing, you can use not only boards, but also panel materials - plywood or OSB. They have all the necessary qualities that a quality support structure requires. In addition to good performance characteristics, plywood for flexible tiles is easy to install and has an initially flat surface, ideal for further installation of soft roofing.

The panel materials used in single-layer lathing are also subject to a number of requirements:

  1. High moisture resistance. A soft roof must be reliably protected from moisture, so it is necessary to select moisture-resistant materials for the sheathing. If we talk about specific brands, we can highlight OSP-3 and FSF.
  2. Suitable thickness. Panel materials can have a thickness from 9 to 27 mm (the choice of a specific value depends on the pitch of the rafters).
  3. Antiseptic treatment. In order for the lathing made of panel materials to be sufficiently durable and reliable, it must be treated with an antiseptic before installation.


Laying panel materials on rafters is done differently than with boards. The sheets are mounted parallel to the ridge, but their joints should not coincide. Typically, a staggered arrangement is used for such material.


Adjacent sheets should be 2 mm apart from each other. When installing the roof in winter, the pitch should be increased to 3 mm so that the sheathing can freely expand in the summer. To fix the panels, self-tapping screws or nails are used, which are used as follows: on the rafters the fastening step is 30 cm, at the end sections they are located 15 cm from each other, and at the edges - 10 cm.

Double continuous plank sheathing

A two-layer sheathing consists of two layers, one of which is made in a lattice form, and the second, located at the top, is made in a solid form. This lathing design is more reliable and efficient than a single-layer one, so it is used in the vast majority of cases. Of course, due to the greater number of layers, the thickness of the soft roof increases.

In the embodiment under consideration, each layer of the sheathing consists of boards that must meet the following requirements:

  • The lattice layer boards must have a thickness of over 25 mm and a thickness of 100 to 140 mm (instead of boards, beams with a section of 50x50 or 30x70 mm can be used);
  • To make a continuous layer of sheathing, boards 20-25 mm thick and 50-70 mm wide are required;
  • Before installation, wooden elements must be treated with antiseptic agents.


Installation of a two-layer sheathing is quite simple. First of all, boards of the first layer are fastened parallel to the ridge across the rafters. They need to be fastened at such a distance that the second layer does not sag after installation. The optimal installation step for the boards of the first row is 20-30 cm.

When the first row is installed, you can begin installing the second. The sheathing elements must be installed from top to bottom. A small gap of 3 mm should be left between the boards for normal thermal expansion.

Combined two-layer roof sheathing

For laying flexible tiles, a combined version of the sheathing is best suited, in which the first layer consists of sparse boards fixed perpendicular to the rafters, and the second layer is made of panel materials. This type of construction is standard and is most often used when arranging an unheated attic.

To create an insulated attic with waterproofing and insulation, you will need a different scheme, somewhat more complex. First, you need to fill the counter-lattice along the rafters, and then all the other elements will be attached on top of it. Let's figure out why the counter-lattice is needed in general. The counter battens allow you to create a ventilation gap between the main batten and the waterproofing material.


The materials used must meet the following requirements:

  • For the counter-lattice, even bars with a cross-section of 25x30 or 50x50 mm are suitable;
  • The first layer is made of boards 25 mm thick and 100 to 140 mm wide;
  • Plywood or OSB for soft tiles should have a thickness of 9 to 12 mm;
  • All wooden elements must be impregnated with an antiseptic.

Installation of the combined sheathing is carried out according to the following algorithm:

  1. When installing a warm roof with insulation and waterproofing, you need to install a counter-lattice, which is attached above the rafters. In addition to creating a gap for ventilation of the roofing pie, the counter-lattice bars provide fastening of the waterproofing film. To create such a structure, you first need to install thermal insulation and waterproofing, and only then begin installing the sheathing.
  2. Next comes the turn of the boards of the first row, which are attached to the counter-lattice (if there is one) or directly to the rafter legs. The standard step for attaching the bottom layer of the sheathing is 20-30 cm.
  3. Lastly, the last row of sheathing is installed. Sheets of the selected material are laid in a checkerboard pattern with a small gap (2-3 mm). OSB or plywood for soft tiles is attached to each rafter leg in increments of about 30 cm. The edges of the elements should also rest on the supports, and at these points the fastening spacing should be reduced to 15 cm.

Checking the quality of the lathing

If the sheathing for bitumen shingles was installed correctly, it will have a number of properties:

  • No deflection under human weight - sagging elements of the sheathing will significantly complicate the installation of the roofing and its repair;
  • No gaps beyond acceptable limits (if there are large gaps in the sheathing, they must be sealed with roofing sheet);
  • No irregularities, protruding nails or knots that could compromise the integrity of the soft roofing material;
  • No sharp edges around the entire perimeter of the finished sheathing;
  • High-quality preliminary preparation of wood, which includes drying boards and sheets, as well as impregnating them with antiseptics.

The roof sheathing for a soft roof is considered complete only if it meets all the described requirements.

Conclusion

Several types of lathing are suitable for a soft roof, so before making lathing for a soft roof, you need to choose a suitable design. If all the nuances have been taken into account, then all that remains is to carry out the installation work correctly, and the finished structure will provide reliable support for the soft roofing covering.

Soft roofing has gained popularity among developers in recent years. But not everyone knows in advance that the base on which bitumen shingles are usually laid is very different from the sheathing on which slate, ondulin or metal tiles are mounted. Let's try to figure out how the sheathing for a soft roof should be arranged and how its installation differs from the installation of a regular sheathing.

The mauerlat on which the entire rafter system rests serves as a kind of foundation for the roof. Flexible tiles do not tolerate unevenness, unnecessary bends, height differences and protruding nails in the base on which they will be laid, so it is necessary to take the geometric parameters of the roof structure very seriously from the very beginning. All mauerlat bars must lie strictly horizontally for any structure configuration. And the lines connecting the ends of the mauerlats at the ends of the buildings should make an angle of 90° with them. If a pitched roof is also provided at the ends, then the end Mauerlat should lie perpendicular to the longitudinal ones in the same horizontal plane with them.

Rafters - the frame of the future roof

If the Mauerlat is laid and secured correctly, then installation of rafters prepared according to one template, even for figured roofs, will be simple. As a matter of fact, this is where the similarity with frames for other roofing materials ends. For rigid roofing sheets, the sheathing can be made from unedged boards in one layer with an interval between boards of 150–400 mm. Under flexible tiles it is necessary to prepare a continuous, even and smooth base in two layers:
  1. The actual sheathing is made of calibrated (one thickness) edged boards with a width of 100 mm, which can be mounted at intervals from 100 to 400 mm.

  1. A solid base on which soft tiles are glued, made of plywood or OSB-3 board (osb, OSB-3)

Plywood and/or OSB-3 board must be moisture resistant! All wooden roof structures: mauerlat, rafters, ridge girder, racks, struts, boards and timber for sheathing must have a humidity of no more than 20%.
When calculating the distance between the rafter legs, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the board, plywood sheets or OSB boards. If the pitch is 500 mm, then the thickness of the board can be 20 mm, and plywood or OSB boards can be 10 mm. With a step of 1000 mm, the thickness of the board should be 25 mm, and plywood or OSB board should be 20 mm thick. The distance may be different, and accordingly, the thickness of the boards and sheets of plywood, or OSB-3 boards should also be different. Here you need to understand that the board serves as a sheathing to support the slab or plywood. If the distance between the boards is too large, the sheet material may bend over time and sag between the supports, which will lead to deformation of the soft roof. The figures for the width of the board and the thickness of the materials used are minimal. Therefore, if you have the funds, you can purchase plywood or a board of a thickness greater than that required by calculations. In this case, the pitch of the board can be slightly increased. If the thickness is less than required, it would be better to make the sheathing of boards continuous. What is the reason for this? The point is the mechanical characteristics of the materials:
  • The board can maintain its rigidity for decades under the right operating conditions and will lie flat even with a rafter pitch of 1200 mm or more. Of course, the board must have a thickness corresponding to this step.
  • Over the years, plywood and OSB-3 boards can sag under the influence of temperature changes and variable humidity if they rest on points or support lines with a distance of even 500 mm between them.
  • Despite all its rigidity, a board can “lead” over time, become warped, and the edges of individual boards can move out of the general plane of the surface. But flexible tiles don’t like this. It will tear, be pressed, or rub through, which will necessitate roof repairs.
  • Obviously, using only boards or only plywood or OSB boards will lead to the fact that very soon the bitumen shingles will begin to tear at the seams of the boards or sag along with the boards or plywood. This may mean that the roof installation will have to be done again.
  • Only the combination of the rigidity of the board and the flat surface of OSB or plywood will give reliability to the base for soft tiles, and there will be no need to repair the roof for a long time.

To find the best option, you need to find out the cost of all materials and calculate the consumption for different step options. For example, the cost of an OSB-3 board with a thickness of 20 mm is almost twice as high as the cost of this board with a thickness of 10 mm. The preparation of roof truss structures for installation must take into account the fact that wood is a flammable material and susceptible to rotting. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out appropriate treatment with fire-retardant impregnations and antiseptics, and in places where the rafter legs come into contact with the wall, it is better to lay waterproofing material. For example - roofing felt. A layer of waterproofing must be placed under the Mauerlat.

Sheathing device

The sheathing for a soft roof must meet the following requirements:
  1. A continuous, flat, smooth surface of the base without deflections, potholes, chips, cracks and protruding chips or nails.
  2. Technical gaps between OSB boards or plywood sheets, necessary to compensate for their possible expansion, should not exceed 6 mm.
  3. During installation, the edges of sheets and slabs must be cleaned so that they are not sharp, even if they lie close to each other.
Only if these conditions are met will flexible tiles serve long and reliably. Another important condition is the possibility of ventilation of the under-roof space.. If the attic is non-residential, then under the eaves there should be a gap for air to enter under the roof, and under the ridge there should be “windows” for air to escape outside. When installing an attic, the internal lining of the walls and ceiling will need to be done so that air can circulate freely in the space between the roofing “pie” and the lining of the room from bottom to top. This space, by the way, will serve as additional sound and thermal insulation for the attic. Alternatively, when initially planning an attic with additional insulation, the best option would be to install waterproofing under the roof. To do this, you need to stretch a waterproofing membrane along the rafters, secure it with a counter-lattice made of timber with a section of 50 x 30 or 50 x 50 mm, and then install two layers of base for the soft roof along the counter-lattice. The gap between the membrane and the sheathing of boards will serve as a ventilation duct for air circulation. In this case, you must remember to leave vents in the upper part of the roof so that the air coming from under the eaves and rising up under the roof has the opportunity to escape. Installing a two-layer base under flexible tiles leads to an increase in the cost of the roof per 1 m², but at the same time allows you to save on insulation. The finishing touch to installing a base for soft tiles should be the installation of a cornice strip or drip line.
They will serve as protection against water entering the wooden structures of the rafter system. If you plan to install gutters, then they need to be installed before the drip line.

Soft roofing is becoming increasingly popular among developers. However, not everyone knows how to properly install the base under such a coating. The lathing for a soft roof has significant differences. For example, you need to take into account the pitch between the wooden frame elements, as well as the methods of fastening sheet materials. This design is the main part of the roofing pie. It is designed for attaching the covering to various roof elements. Technologically, such sheathing is a series of boards nailed to the building system.

Selection of materials

A soft roof can deform quite quickly. To prevent such situations, the sheathing should have as smooth a surface as possible. It is better to eliminate all depressions and irregularities. The following materials are ideal for formwork:

  • solid wood board;
  • plywood;

Roofing plywood is made from softwood veneer. It has good moisture resistance and fairly high strength. It is supplied to the market already treated with various impregnations, which prevent rotting and ignition of building elements. Due to their smooth surface, such slabs are ideal for bitumen shingles and roofing felt. Plywood is laid quite easily and quickly.

OSB boards are products made from large-sized shavings. Synthetic resin is placed in them as a binding element. The price of such material is lower than moisture-resistant plywood.

Edged boards are less suitable for lathing under a soft roof. Installation of a structure made from such material requires compliance with certain rules. This is due to the fact that during operation the boards can become deformed under the influence of moisture. Fastening such elements is also difficult compared to plywood.

Basic Rules

When constructing a frame for a soft roof, the following rules must be observed:

  • when the roof slope angle is 5-10 degrees, it is necessary to make it a continuous flooring of boards or plywood;
  • if the roof slope is 10-15 degrees, it is better to use 45x50 mm bars and plywood;
  • when the slope is more than 15 degrees, the sheathing structure is made of 15x50 mm beams, in increments of 60 cm;
  • In the places where the ridge and valley are attached, it is necessary to install an additional beam.

To make the formwork as smooth as possible, you should pay attention to calibrated boards. They allow you to create ideal conditions for installing soft tiles. If the thickness of the formwork elements is different, the coating may be damaged. The frame can also be stepped.

Advice! With this type of lathing, the service life of a soft roof is significantly reduced. For this reason, it is better to choose only high-quality materials for installation, and adjust the joints as carefully as possible.

Boards should be chosen from coniferous trees. Such products have low cost and excellent performance characteristics.

Formwork should be done in increments of no more than 100 mm. Elements filled with solid wood must meet certain humidity indicators - no more than 2%. The strength of the frame must correspond to the loads perceived from:

  • roofing material;
  • snow.

Depending on such factors, it is necessary to calculate the required characteristics of the roof structure. For example, with a rafter pitch of 50 cm, it is better to choose 20 mm boards for formwork. If the pitch of the rafters is 120 cm, you should use bars no thinner than 30 mm or plywood 20 mm thick.

Features of the construction of rafters

If the Mauerlat is installed correctly, the installation of rafters that are prepared according to the template, even in the case of figured roofs, will be quite simple. It is better to use double lathing for flexible tiles. It is also worth making sure that there is a smooth base. Other features of rafters:

  • humidity of wooden elements - no more than 20%;
  • when calculating the distance between the rafter legs, it is worth taking into account the thickness of the plywood;
  • if the step is 100 cm, the OSB should be at least 20 mm, and the bars should not be thinner than 25 mm.

It is also necessary to understand that the timber supports the slabs or plywood in the optimal position. If you make too large a sheathing step under a soft roof, the panels (OSB, plywood) will begin to bend. The roof can be made quite quickly, provided that the installation technology is selected in accordance with the covering material.

Solid frame

How to make a sheathing for a soft roof made of plywood or OSB? The sheet material is fastened using self-tapping screws. Spiral nails can also be used. OSB can be mounted on ring nails 4.5-7.5 cm long. The step between fasteners should not be more than 30 cm. The heads of the nails must be recessed into the thickness of the material. Otherwise, they may damage the roofing.

When installing sheet material, it is worth remembering that gaps of 2 mm must be left between the panels. In the case of OSB boards, this figure increases to 3 mm. This measure is due to the ability of materials to swell with increasing humidity. If the sheets are folded tightly, the coating may warp.

When laying plywood or OSB, it is worth considering that the sheets must be mounted on at least 3 supports. They are joined only on wooden elements. The nailing pitch should be 30 cm.

The plywood is attached to the ridge with the long side. In this case, each element must be shifted by ½ length relative to the others.

Plank frame

The plank frame for soft roofing coverings should be characterized by maximum evenness. This requirement can only be achieved if the elements are carefully selected in terms of thickness. The elements are fastened with galvanized nails. They are driven in near each edge where the rafters intersect. To avoid warping of the roof, you must follow these rules:

  • The distance between the boards should be at least 3 mm.
  • When laying out the bars, you should look at the annual rings on the saw cut. Installation is always carried out with the roundness facing upwards.
  • The plank frame is carried out from the overhang to the ridge.

The installation of lathing under a soft roof is quite simple. To do this, you need to decide on the materials, calculate the distance between the boards of the primary formwork, and also take into account the load on the roof. Only by taking into account such indicators can the correct installation of the roof be carried out.

Sergey Novozhilov is an expert on roofing materials with 9 years of practical experience in the field of engineering solutions in construction.

Bituminous shingles are a modern, practical roofing material that is made from fiberglass impregnated with modified bitumen. It is lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, resistant to environmental factors and the effects of fungi or other microorganisms. The peculiarity of this roof covering is that it does not have a rigid shape, so a solid base is required for its installation. Lathing for a soft roof is an important element of the roof structure, on which the durability and reliability of the material depends. In this article we will tell you how to properly prepare the base for laying asphalt shingles.

Sheathing is the base on which a roofing covering consisting of wooden bars or plywood is laid. It is nailed to the rafters of the frame to ensure strength and even distribution of weight. Bituminous shingles are a lightweight material, 1 square meter of which weighs up to 13 kg, but it needs a reliable base, as it does not hold its shape on its own. There are 2 types of sheathing construction:

  • Sparse. The sparse lathing is made from wooden blocks 3-4 cm thick or boards. The distance between these bars is called a step; for installing a soft roof it should not exceed 50 cm.
  • Solid. Solid sheathing is made from sheets of moisture-resistant plywood or particle board. It serves as an excellent base for laying bitumen shingles, thanks to its even, smooth surface.

Important! It is recommended to use coniferous wood, dried to a moisture content of 20 percent, for the manufacture of sheathing for flexible tiles. This material is more resistant to moisture, fungus and rot, which extends the life of the structure.

Design

The lathing used for installing a flexible roof differs from that used in the case of metal profile flooring. Bituminous shingles are a flexible material that does not have a rigid shape, so it must be laid on a solid base. Therefore, the design of the roofing pie for this roofing material consists of the following elements:

  1. Counter-lattice. This element is made of wooden slats 2-3 cm thick, which are attached along the rafter legs. They serve to fix the waterproofing film and organize a ventilation gap, which is necessary to improve air circulation.
  2. Sparse. The sparse sheathing is nailed along the slope, perpendicular to the rafters. It is made from unedged or edged boards measuring 150x20 mm in increments of 30-50 cm. The sparse lathing evenly distributes the weight of the roof between the rafters.
  3. Solid. The continuous sheathing used as a base for laying flexible tiles is made from sheets of moisture-resistant plywood or particle board. This structural element, in addition to its supporting function, also performs an insulating function - it plays the role of insulation and sound insulation.

Note! Bituminous shingles have a rough, non-slip surface, so snow accumulates on them in winter. Reliable sheathing will help the soft roof maintain its shape and withstand intense snow loads.

Requirements

The sheathing for a soft roof is made of wood, dried to a moisture content of 20% and treated with deep penetration antiseptic agents. In order not to damage the lower surface of the roofing material, knots, jags, and irregularities must be removed from the boards. It is better to sharpen or sand the sheathing elements. In order for the base to serve for a long time and reliably, the following factors must be taken into account:

  • Snow load in the area where construction is taking place. When choosing a design and spacing between bars, it is necessary to take into account the climatic factor. If there is a lot of snow, then the base for installing flexible tiles must be strengthened.
  • Weight of roofing material. One square meter of bitumen shingle covering weighs no more than 13 kg, but together with insulation and waterproofing, the load on the rafters can exceed 300 kg/m2.
  • Roof slope. The lower the roof slope, the stronger the sheathing should be, since snow does not slide off the gentle slopes on its own, but accumulates, increasing the load on the rafter system.

Please note that even the slightest unevenness on the base as a result of friction leads to the appearance of holes in the asphalt shingles. To prevent this, the sheathing structure is made in three stages, and its surface is leveled using a building level.

Lathing under a soft roof has its own characteristics. Since such a device is found quite often in the construction spaces of our state, it is necessary to find out the main nuances and types of materials for its manufacture. If you perform such a roof correctly, you can achieve excellent technical characteristics, including resistance to natural disasters. Plus, the ease of installation work and low labor intensity of the processes cannot leave all modern developers indifferent. In this article we will look at the installation of sheathing for a soft roof and get acquainted with all the features and nuances of such a design.

Before you make the lathing, you should know which material is best to choose for its manufacture, because each of them has its own individual technical characteristics. Today there are a huge number of options, and the most polar among them are the following types:

  • To create the sheathing, edged calibrated planed boards approximately 14 cm wide are often used. The material must be of high quality and reliable. Professional builders recommend preparing it in advance;
  • The device is often made from a wooden block. It is worth noting that special attention should be paid to the moisture content of the wood, which should not exceed 20% of the dry weight. During the working process, the dimensions of the bars may change, so it is necessary to purchase them with a small margin;
  • Lathing for soft roofing is made from under-roofing or diffuse film material. It has a positive effect on thermal and waterproofing properties;
  • With the help of roofing purlins, you can not only strengthen the roof, but also increase its stability and reliability;
  • The use of plywood helps create a perfectly flat and smooth surface. Plus, there are absolutely no cracks or crevices in such a device, which has a positive effect on the tightness.

Attention! The sheathing for a soft roof should be created only from high quality materials and with optimal technical parameters, otherwise you can’t even dream of a durable and reliable roof.

Types of lathing for soft roofing

The roof sheathing for a soft roof is created in order to ensure the fastening of materials to the base of the building surface. Visually, it resembles a frame, as it consists of a number of boards attached to the rafter system. Regarding the type of roof on which it is laid, it has its own characteristics, and there are two main types of sheathing:

  • Solid type. Most often, such lathing can be found in devices with soft roofing materials;
  • Sparse type. Ideal for slate, metal tile and other solid roofing projects.

Most often, sheathing for bitumen shingles and other soft materials is made using two-layer technology. First, one continuous level is made, for which particle board (chipboard) is used. It is worth noting that they can also lay moisture-resistant plywood. Then a sparse layer made of boards is laid.

Attention! This device allows you to increase the efficiency of heat and sound insulation in the room.

Installation of lathing under a soft roof

The process of installing the sheathing is quite simple. To create a high-quality and effective coating, you must follow the following sequence:

  • We fasten the wooden blocks from bottom to top to the load-bearing points of the roof;
  • We nail the lower purlin behind the cornice with a board;
  • Then we lay the under-roofing tape horizontally to the roof ridge. First, we make a strip at the eaves, gradually rising with an overlap to the top. In order to ease the gap in the ventilation system, we fix the material between the counter-lattice bars and the rafters;
  • Then we fix the first block to the very edge of the rafters;
  • We mount the second block at a distance of about 30-35 cm from the bottom point of the first frame element;
  • We continue to install the bars, maintaining the sheathing pitch for a soft roof - 37 cm. We attach the last element to the ridge with 20 cm nails;

Attention! All sheathing elements must be mounted in a horizontal position. If you meet the requirements regarding the distance to the lower edges of the structure, you can achieve excellent strength and reliability indicators.

As you can see, the installation process does not require any special skills, but there are many nuances that, if not adhered to, can ruin the coating. It is best to find a specialist to help you.

Rules for installing sheathing relative to the corner

Before writing this section, we watched a lot of videos and highlighted the basic rules that will help you create the perfect roof structure. The lathing for a soft roof should be created taking into account the following nuances:

  • For roofs with an angle of less than 10 degrees, it is necessary to make a continuous type of sheathing. For this, it is best to use moisture-resistant plywood;
  • If the angle varies from 10 to 15 degrees, then the sheathing is made in increments of 45 mm. To create the device, it is optimal to use timber and waterproof plywood. The structure should be directed parallel to the eaves of the building;
  • If the angle exceeds 15 degrees, then the step should be increased to 60 cm. To create the structure, a beam measuring 45 by 50 mm is best suited;
  • Additional timber should be installed in the places where the valleys and ridge will be attached.

The best material for making sheathing for a soft roof should be considered a calibrated board. Thanks to equal thickness values, an even joint is obtained and a stepped structure is avoided. Practical experience has proven that such surfaces can last much longer than roofs with uneven surfaces. It is for this reason that developers purchase high-quality material and try to join the boards as accurately as possible.

Attention! The best wood for these purposes is considered to be coniferous species, which are pleasing with both their cost and excellent technical characteristics.

Recommendations regarding load and lathing parameters

The optimal step when creating sheathing for soft roofing materials is considered to be a value not exceeding 10 cm. This norm is caused by certain characteristics of the products. For a continuous layer, a calibrated edged board, which was already mentioned above, is ideal. Waterproof plywood and chipboard sheets will also help create an ideal, smooth surface without seams. It should be taken into account that this layer must be tightly attached to the boards and have a moisture content not exceeding 20%. When creating a structure, we pay attention to ensure that its strength corresponds to the load that will put pressure on it:

  • Consider the possible load from snow cover;
  • Calculate the load created by the roofing materials.

Based on these indicators, the necessary lathing parameters are determined. Thus, if the laying step is about 50 cm, then you should use a board with a thickness of at least 20 mm, and with a step of 120 cm, at least 30 mm. It is worth noting that one of the features of a soft roof is considered to be resistance to biological damage, but this does not apply to the wood from which the sheathing is made. For this reason, it is recommended to carry out special treatment with antiseptics, which will protect the structure from fungi.

Features of drip installation

The drip cap is considered an important element in the construction of sheathing for a soft roof, as it is responsible for protection from the adverse effects of moisture. The bend of the product depends on the angle of the roof; its value varies from 100 to 130 degrees. Attach the drip line to the edge of the roof, pointing it vertically downward so that the water flows to the ground. Among the features, the following characteristics should be highlighted:

  • To make the drip, galvanized steel is used, which does not tend to rust;
  • In order not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the building, the color of the drip line should be matched to the shade of the roof;
  • To completely protect the roof and facade, you should extend the drip line along the entire perimeter of the building;
  • The device is able to provide protection from wind currents.

So we got acquainted with all the features of creating sheathing for buildings with soft roofs. Follow all the tips and recommendations, and you will definitely succeed!