Information
A hip roof has high performance characteristics and a complex structure, but thanks to the online calculator, any homeowner can calculate it. Our calculator accurately calculates the structure of a four-sided hip roof. Based on the calculations, a 2D drawing of the roof is generated and a 3D visualization is performed.
A hip roof has 4 slopes and 4 ridges (diagonal rafters). The end slopes have a triangular shape from the ridge to the eaves, and are called hips. This design is somewhat more complex than conventional gable roofs, but has a fairly original design. A half-hip roof differs in that the slopes are shorter and do not reach the eaves.
Almost all popular types of roofing materials are suitable for a hip roof, and their choice most often depends on personal preferences and the performance characteristics of the material itself.
A hip roof has four slopes - the end ones in the shape of triangles and the side ones in the form of trapezoids. The slopes are located at the same angle to the base. Their sides are connected by hips (inclined ridges), and the tops by a ridge. Along the perimeter of the house, a mauerlat is laid, on which the rafters rest. A four-sided hip roof has an eaves overhang, depending on your preferences and the size of the house.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Hip Roof
Although the calculation of a hip roof is complex, it is one of the most popular designs for a private house. It has several advantages:
- Aerodynamic roofing cover;
- Rigid structure;
- No gables.
A hip roof also has several disadvantages:
- Complexity of calculations and installation;
- High material waste (especially metal tiles - MT).
Thus, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the online calculator with detailed roof drawings will help in its calculation, making the task easier for every homeowner.
Specific Features of the Hip Roof Calculator
Our calculator will instantly calculate the rafter system of the hip roof – the length and number of rafters (including diagonal ones), and the length of the ridge. The homeowner only needs to enter the initial parameters: the length and width of the house, the height of the roof, the angles of the slopes, and other important parameters. It is worth noting that the width of the board for rafters should be chosen based on loads, such as wind and snow loads, as well as the weight of the roofing material itself. If you are making a warm roof, the distance between the rafters should correspond to the width of the insulation to avoid cuts and not waste material.
Sheathing
The board for sheathing is usually used with a thickness of 30 mm. The width can vary; for metal tiles with a step of 35 cm according to the length of the longitudinal axis of the MT "Monterrey" module, the optimal width of the board is 100 mm, for other types of coverings the step and width of the board can be different. Do not forget that for soft roofing, OSB or plywood will be laid on top of the sheathing in a continuous layer.
For a warm roof, you will need:
- Insulation with a thickness of 100 mm, but preferably 150-200 mm;
- Waterproofing, vapor barrier;
- Counter-batten with a thickness of at least 30 mm.
As you can see, calculating a hip roof with the online calculator is very easy, even with minimal construction knowledge. The main structural features of a hip roof are similar to the geometry of the school curriculum, so let's calculate together. The rafter system and roofing calculator will help you calculate the areas and dimensions of materials for your hip roof, including the height of the ridge and other parameters.
