Пособия / english-for-builders-and-architects

“A good designer isn’t afraid to throw away a good idea. Being process-oriented, not product-driven, is the most important and difficult skill for a designer to develop.” Matthew Frederick (architect)

Unit 9

ROOFS

1.1 a) What types of roofs do you know? Use English-English dictionaries.

b) Look at the pictures. What roof would you prefer for your house? Explain your choice in 3-–5 sentences:

a) Cross Gabled Roof

b)

Arched Roof

142

READING

3 a) Transcribe the following words:

retain, ensure, weighted, storage, triangular, require, joists, corrugated, securely.

b) In what context do you think the following words and phrases will appear in the text?

•topmost part • interior cool • resisting fire • supporting structure

•storage space • gable end • meet right angles • water-proof covering

•corrugated sheets • galvanized steel ties• rafter

c)c) Read the text and check your answers:

ROOFS

A roof is the topmost part of a building. It is a covering constructed over the enclosed space to:

-– keep out rain and wind;

-– provide shade from the sun;

-– keep the interior cool;

-– retain heat in cool weather;

-– ensure that the structure is properly weighted down.

Roofs should meet the following basic standards of performance: 1) allowing rainwater to flow freely away; 2) expanding and contracting without failure; 3) resisting fire adequately; 4) providing light and ventilation; 5) durability.

In this unit two types of roofs are considered: pitched roofs and flat roofs.

A pitched roof is often a popular choice. The main supporting structure is timber, which is easy to work and transport. A pitched roof is stable in most weather and its slope disposes of rainwater quickly. Additionally, the space enclosed by the roof can add some extra living or storage space.

In simple roof construction these types of roof are usually found:

144

The roof covering material varies from lightweight sheets that weigh 12 kg/m2 to plain clay tiles that weigh 65 kg/m2.

Flat roofs, which can be timber or reinforced concrete, are popular forms of roofing for houses. Their advantages are:

-– they are very easy to put up;

-– they can create extra usable space if they are accessible; -– they are easily maintained.

Their main disadvantages are that: -– they lose heat;

-– they are not as weatherproof as pitched roofs; -– the finishes do not last as long as roof tiles.

The structure of a flat timber roof is shown in Fig. 9.2.1 and it requires: a deck or a slab; a method for disposing of rainwater; a watertight covering; some insulation.

Figure 9.1. Flat Timber Roof Structure

The joists span between the supporting walls and boarding is fixed over the joists to form a deck for the water-proof covering. Here the deck must have enough slope to get rid of rainwater. Slopes can be made by fixing strips of wood called firrings to the top of the joists.

Wind pressure can strip off tiles, lift overhanging eaves and verges and blow off corrugated sheets. If the roof covering is fixed very securely to the roof framework, then a strong wind could lift off the timbers of the roof structure.

This can be prevented by using galvanized steel ties every 1800 mm. They should be taken across the wallplate and down the wall for 600 mm and embedded in mortar joint. The ties can also be taken

146

несущая стена; обшивка досками; оцинкованный; стенная балка; заделанный в раствор; вокруг стропила.

7 Read and translate the text and make 5 questions to it:

What most home owners desire is a roof that is not too expensive, requires no maintenance, and lasts forever. But most roofs are replaced - – or at least repaired - – every ten years. By carefully choosing your home's roofing material, you can reduce the cost of replacement.

You can realize other environmental benefits from your roofing choices. If you select a light-colored surface or a material that does not absorb heat from the sun, you significantly reduce your home's cooling needs. When your attic stays cooler, your cooling bills go down.

There is a wide choice of materials used to roof a house, ranging from thatch – dried grass, to slate – pieces of stone. Modern products like plastic, fiberglass and concrete are available, and some innovative, energy-efficient homes are being roofed with sod. New products are being developed to overcome the shortcomings of older roofing materials, meet the demands of modern building techniques, and conform to increasingly stringent building codes.

Cost alone does not determine quality. But by carefully selecting the right material, making sure it's installed properly and performing modest maintenance occasionally, you can have a roof that functions properly for 20 to 50 years – or even longer.

LANGUAGE FOCUS

8 Use the words below to complete the sentence:

POPULAR ROOFING MATERIALS

Part I

Wood shakes offer a 1) _____ look with a lot of character. Because of variations like color, width, thickness, or cut of the wood, no two shake roofs will ever be the same.

Wood offers some 2) _____ benefits, too: it helps to insulate the attic, and it allows the house to breathe, circulating air through the

148

150