DIY Network

Roof and Siding The roof and siding are added to the mobile classroom. From "Trade School" episode DTRS-203

In this segment, Nick Faes and his classmates continue towards the completion of a mobile temporary classroom project by installing the roof and siding.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Basic Tools:

hammer
string
chop saw
table saw
circular saw
chalk line

The first step in the roof construction is the attachment of pre-fabricated trusses. With a careful eye towards safety, the class first raises a gable-end truss to sit on the end of the building. This truss, carefully centered, clamped and nailed into the end wall top plate, is built with extra vertical support to hold the roof overhang (figure A).

Nick helps raise and attach the second roof truss, which is slightly taller than the gable-end truss. These two trusses are connected with a series of lookouts, which are 2 x 4's nailed into the second truss, sit on top of the gable-end truss, and then extend out to create the overhang of the roof (figure B). With this side down, Nick and his classmates move to the other end of the temp and repeat this process.

With the two trusses and lookouts secured on each end of the temp, it's time to fill the space in between with even more trusses, which are spaced 24 inches apart. These trusses are only nailed into the top plates on the outside of the structures, so for additional support, boards are also temporarily nailed along the ridgeline of the trusses (figure C). To ensure that the trusses line up, Nick ties a string along the end trusses. The trusses in the center should touch, but never push on the string.

Following the completed trusses, the crew nails 1/2 inch plywood sheeting to the top of the trusses (figure D). This creates a covering for the temp, and also provides lateral support to the trusses, creating a solid roof structure.

Nick's next step is to hang siding from the completed walls. He begins by temporarily nailing in a ledger board on the bottom of the wall face (figure E). This helps to keep each sheet stable and level while nailing. Nick then attaches large rectangular sheets of the wood siding along the wall (figure F). He takes care to line up all vertical gaps and seams for an even appearance. This step is slightly different than all those before it, in that this part of the building will never be covered up and will always be visible--Nick must minimize hammer marks and any other imperfections. To hang siding on the gable, he must cut the siding into a series of angled shapes. He lays out the angles by snapping a chalk-line, and then cuts with a circular saw (figure G). Once the shape is achieved, he attaches it to the gable (figure H).

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

To complete the project, Nick and his classmates also install insulation, drywall panels (figure I), shingles and the windows to the temp. Other school programs later install the electrical and plumbing systems, but final details like doors, drywall texturing and paint are left to professionals when the temp is moved to its permanent location as these treatments can be damaged during transport.

When the class has finished their part on the temp, the building is moved outside to make room inside the shop for the next project (figure J). While the building awaits transport, Nick can celebrate the end of a job well done.

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

RESOURCES :

Warren Tech High School
13300 West 2nd Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80228
Phone: 303-982-8600
Website: www.warrentech.org