Roof Construction

[CamelBoy68]

Hi Guys,

I am starting to design a terraced house in LDD, to minifig scale (80 studs long by 26 wide), its based on a real property hence the unusual size.

My question is I've designed the roof, approx 13 Bricks tall by 26 studs wide (that size doesn't cover the whole building, as there is an extensive flat roof & a small garden at the rear). Would you make it entirely solid, for support, or would you make a series of beams ? Bear in mind, that there is no loft space, so making it solid is an option.

also, if any of you have built something similar, would the weight of a solid roof be too heavy (about 400 2x4 bricks to fill the void) ?

cheers

CB

[Redhead1982]

Building a solid roof can be very heavy on parts. Definitely, when making it solid, it would be very heavy (not the best for transporting a MOC), although the weight of the roof should not affect the rest of the building. I'd go with the beams to strengthen the roof, and still have enough bricks left.

[JoeKaydear]

You could consider using the 6044 Slope as part of a beam support system for your roof: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6044

[eurotrash]

I'd use a combination of Beams and whatever I've got lying around (LURPs, 1x6x5 Panels, Castle wall corners, old/chewed 2x4s...) to build a structure underneath the Beams. That way I keep it light and reserve the bricks for another use.

But if you're doing it LDD then it that would be more trouble than its worth....

[snaillad]

Hi, I made a terraced street with houses last year, I used many 2x4 slopes, it perhaps was not as long as yours will be but I used the chimney walls to support the roof. There might be something you can decipher from here; http://www.flickr.com/photos/52656812@N04/8183155919/in/set-72157632002462088/

There were only short distances between the chimneys to there wasn't much 'sagging' in the middle but I did contemplate using the 1x5x5 half arches but felt it was not necessary. Perhaps that's something you could use. Good luck!

Edited August 26, 2013 by snaillad

[CamelBoy68]

Thanks for the feedback, it looks like I while do some beams, as I thought the weight might be an issue.

Here's the initial draft of the roof, with no support system. There's no chimney stack at present, that will come when I finish the ground & first floors.

Top

Front

Rear/Side

The small slopes (2x4 & 1x2) are a design choice, trying to match the small slates on the real building. The flat roof will extend out from the rear, covering about 20x20, with a smaller one at a lower level.

Snaillad,

I love your work On your semi-detached building, was that roof hollow ?

cheers

CB68

[harton]

Well I think your on a good way. It looks great. I wonder how you're going to present it, but I'm sure the research will made a good result!

[Kivi]

Since it's built entirely of slopes and considering the size, it might be a good idea to check how it's made here and probably scale it up. As eurotrash has said, building it this way would be much easier with real bricks than in LDD unless you already know what are you going to put inside. And keep in mind that building in LDD is not 'dynamic' so what looks sturdy there might turn out to be fragile and unstable in reality.

[snaillad]

Snaillad,

I love your work On your semi-detached building, was that roof hollow ?

cheers

CB68

Thanks, yeah it was hollow and fragile until I think I used a random assortment of long beams and arches to stabilize the sides. They were going to be hidden anyway!

I also used plates one thick around the bottom of the slopes to hold them together and stop them falling off with the slightest knock.

Best of luck. I'm very interested to see the outcome!

Edited August 27, 2013 by snaillad