Roof

The roof covering of half-timbered buildings can consist of numerous materials, from wood to natural stone. The first roofs in prehistory were soft roofs, which are roofs made of soft plant materials. Reed, broom and the agricultural product straw are the most important natural materials used in Flanders. From the Middle Ages onwards, the straw thatched roof was the most common of all roofs.

Soft roofs have many advantages and are perfectly waterproof, but their main disadvantage is the fire hazard. That is why people, especially in the cities, preferred to use baked roof tiles, roof tiles or natural stone. Wooden shingles are typical for very wooded areas, such as the Alps, but were also used in Flanders, for example on windmills.

Numerous factors were and are decisive when choosing the sort of roof covering. Slate is undoubtedly the longest lasting material, but also the most expensive. Straw roofs have a limited lifespan and require a lot of maintenance, but straw was widely available and farmers could grow it themselves. A roof in broom is a big fire hazard, but this did not play a major role in temporary shelters for forest workers. We can also make these considerations for contemporary timber framing. Straw can suffice for a temporary nativity scene, but in a contemporary workshop we opt for modern materials to place a green roof on it. Naturally, the roof covering determines the design of the timber roof structure. A steep and light construction for straw, a heavy and relatively flat one for natural stone.

 Timber roof structure for a sheepfold

video 9. Twill beams and corner beams