Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Eave lining
To fit the eave lining, first insert the sheet into the groove in the back of the fascia, then
swing the lining up against the framing timber and fix with soft sheet nails - a small flat
head nail designed specifically for the job. You can use the 'H' section plastic joiners to
join the sheets of eave lining, however I find it quicker and easier to use small timber
cover straps that can be nailed on with a small nail gun if you have access to one.
Timber framing for eave lining
When constructing a straw bale house it is highly recommended that you have extra wide
eaves or roof overhang. I have known of houses with eaves of 700 mm wide, however I
would recommend 900 mm or, even better, verandahs. Depending on the dimensions of
your rafters, they may or may not be capable of supporting eaves of 900 mm without aid.
In this instance a horizontal section of timber will be fixed to the straw bale wall, either
by using pegs or by tying the timber in place by threading twine through the wall and
tying the twine on the opposite side of the wall. You will gain a much more secure fixing
of this timber if you go to the trouble of checking the timber into the bales. Use your
brush cutter/trimmer to make the check out in the wall to accommodate the timber,
which should be fixed in place prior to any rendering. The soffit bearers will be cut to fit
firmly between the back of the fascia and the horizontal timber fixed to the wall.
Tilt battens
One of the primary purposes of the fascia board is for the installation of spouting to
carry the water from the roof. Spouting,
sometimes referred to as guttering, is to be
installed with the back of the spouting to be
held in a vertical position. With a few
exceptions, the upper edge of the spouting
is flat and needs to be supported along its
length with timber. This timber can take the
form of fascia or a tilt batten. A tilt batten is
a piece of timber cut along its length at an
angle that enables it to be fixed to the
rafters providing a vertical face at the
extremity of the rafters onto which the
spouting is fitted (see Figure 9.6).
Figure 9.6
A tilt batten at the tail of the rafter as an
alternative to fascia
Roof cladding
The most common forms of roofing systems include metal sheeting, roof tiles and
shingles. There are many other forms of roof cladding such as thatched roofs and living
roofs that will not be covered in this text. The material and shape of the roof cladding will
determine the minimum grade that the roof can have. Metal roof cladding can generally
be fitted at a much flatter grade than roofing tiles and shingles. Within metal roofing, the
deeper the profiles, the flatter the grade that the material can be installed upon. Speak
with your building consultant or engineer to ascertain the appropriate material and
profile for your house design.
