Basics of Building Construction

Building Components And Types

Lesson 19 : Roof And Roof Coverings

Types Of Flat Roofs

Bengal Terrace Roofing

This type of roofing is adopted for timber roofs of verandah etc. The roof is constructed in the following steps:

1. Wooden rafters are placed at 30 to 50 cm c/c, on some slope.
2. Wooden battens ( 5 x 1 cm) are placed across the rafters , at 15 c/c.
3. A course of flat tiles ( 15 cm x 8 cm x 2 cm) , well soaked in white wash, is laid in lime or cement mortar, over the battens.
4. The roof is then finished with one of the following two methods:

Method (a) Two or more courses of flat tiles are laid in mortar. Two to three coats of lime plaster are applied. The final course of lime plaster is rubbed smooth and polished.

Method (b) A 4 to 5 thick layer of fine jelly concrete is laid over the tiles. Over this concrete, a course of flat tiles is laid. The surface is then finally finished with two or three coats of lime plaster, the final coat being rubbed smooth and polished.