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octagonal, bell-shaped cedar roof

nativewoods | Posted in Construction Techniques on September 28, 2004 05:04am

Hello there…. this is my first post at breaktime so bear with me. I’m a carpenter/restorer of 15 years and i occasionally take on a project that involves a cedar shake or shingle roof. I am about to begin my first bell-shaped, octagonal cedar shingle roof. I’ve got a pretty good idea how I’ll handle it but… a few questions.
It is a small 1 story building (14 feet wide), the roof surface is less than 300 square feet. I plan to use 16 ” royals, probobly soak them if they aren’t wet already. My biggest concern is that the upper courses will bristle out at the convex part of the roof, near the peak. And, of course, there are those nine S-curving hips to contend with. I would like to avoid capping the hips, just stagger the laps and step-flash somehow. Anybody out there have any helpful hints?

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  1. Piffin | Sep 28, 2004 05:57am | #1

    A word of caution?

    I figure something like that to be more like 5-6 squares

    I have lap ped corners on an octogonal roof. It takes a lot of waste and will get you dizzy. It is that convex part of the bell that would have me concerned about how to hold the shingles from waving at you. is the cedar a must, or is copper or composition a possible?

     

     

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    1. nativewoods | Sep 29, 2004 03:00am | #5

      Yes, I will definitely order plenty of shingles, I just wanted to give you an idea of the actual area. Cedar is a must on this building, and I am into doing it. I just have to figure out which FHB has the article on bell-curves with shingles.

      thanks for the post

      1. kestrel | Sep 29, 2004 04:27am | #8

        Hi native,

        I don't think this is FHB article your looking for, but there is one on "The Best of Fine Homebuilding CD"  from the October/November 1984 issue that might be somewhat applicable.  The title is: Shingle Thatch  Steam-bent shingles, curved framing and wave coursing create a roof with character.

        kestrel

  2. seeyou | Sep 28, 2004 11:08am | #2

    My biggest concern is that the upper courses will bristle out at the convex part of the roof, near the peak.

    You need to steam the shingles to make them lay right on the convex part of the roof. There's a FHB that tells you pretty much everything you need to know about cedar shingle curving and  addressing the hips you would need to know. I'll see if I can dig it out to get you the number.

    And, of course, there are those nine S-curving hips to contend with.

    You better count again. If it's an octagon, it's only got eight. I would not cap, but weave, the hips. This type of roof takes an incredible amount of labor to do right. Hope you bid it high.

    Hey Piffen, looks like we're tag teaming all these roofing questions. You're it.

    I invented steam. 

    1. MisterT | Sep 28, 2004 12:29pm | #3

      I have had success using 4d galv finish nails to hold down wavers.

      might wanna try and find Stainless.

      Your it! 

      Mr T

      I can't afford to be affordable anymore

      1. seeyou | Sep 28, 2004 02:20pm | #4

        I have had success using 4d galv finish nails to hold down wavers.

        You mean face nails?

        No- you're it.

        I invented tag.

    2. nativewoods | Sep 29, 2004 03:10am | #6

      Doesn't an octagon have nine sides? Wow, this is going to be less work than I thought.

      Okay, I just wanted to see if anyone would catch that, really.....

      I would love to find that FHB, even a ball park idea of the year or the title of the article. Was it specifically about cedar on a bell curve?

      Thanks for your help. Cant believe Ive never tried this before. this is fun.

      1. seeyou | Sep 29, 2004 04:16am | #7

        Cant believe Ive never tried this before. this is fun.

        Hell, wait 'til you try sex.

        Issue #58 Mar, 1990.

        I invented indecision, or maybe I didn't.

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