Hey folks,
Looking to build one of these over an exposed set of French doors on the house. See attached photo.
I’m thinking about framing it with 2 x 12s with the curve ripped into them and then convering with a thin layer of ply (say 3/8″ bent to the shape). Then covering with either sheet copper or lead…or any other sheet metal although I think the copper would look great. Of course some kind of underlayment (felt, rubber membrane) between the metal and wood.
Anyone ever built one of these? I’m sure someone here has as they pretty popular on some of the higher end homes I’ve seen. If so, any thoughts about design, trick, etc would be appreciated.
I’m haven’t framed or built any roof design this tricky before so I’m open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
Replies
Never built one myself, but I've seen a bunch and roofed a bunch. If you want more of a radius than what a 2x12 will afford, you can double up 3/4" plywood and cut your rafters from that. Use 2 layers of 3/8" plywood if you're gonna use copper so the nails get good purchase. Here's a bay we did recently............
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The way a curved roof is usually built here--we're talking about the main roof of the house, generally--is to frame the roof in two sections. The upper rafters land on the lower rafters, which run back to the wall. You fair the curve between the two straight sets of rafters with a separate piece called a coyau. (Sorry I don't know what it's called in English.)
Here's a photo of one I built about ten years or so ago. We sheathed the curved section with ½" ply, but kerfed the inside of the curve to help bend it. You see the coyau in this shot; it's the lighter-coloured piece of 2x. My former lead carp is standing on the ply to hold it down, while my second carp nails it down about every 2 inches throughout the curve.
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Believe it or not, the longest part about a curved roof is not framing or sheathing it, it's cutting the blinking rake boards. Full-sized cardboard or scrap ply patterns are a necessity. Then you'll have to glue up finish stock until it's wide enough to cover the whole curve. A PITA, but nice when it's done.
Dinosaur
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