So any timber joists that are used need to be strong enough to support this weight.
Flat roof joist sizes.
Sizes of joists needed for flat roof construction.
For pitched roofs flat roofs and ceiling joists.
The range of joist sizes used in homes varies though between 2 by 4 inches and 2 by 12 inches.
Usually 400 450 or 600mm but any value can be used up to 610mm max usually 400 450 or 600mm but any value can be used up to 610mm max 1 2 timber strength class and joist size.
A 2 by 4 inch joist for instance hangs into the room by 4 inches which may leave the ceiling high while a 2 by 12 inch joist in the same position hangs 12 inches into the room which decreases the ceiling height by 8 inches.
As you may imagine there is a fair amount of weight involved here in terms of boards felt etc.
Surveyors and structural engineers utilise data from tables below to help calculate the correct size strength and centres of roof timbers for the required spans and loadings.
Size of roof joist 400mm 450mm 600mm 47 x 97 1 84 1 81 1 74 47 x 120 2 43 2 39 2 27 47 x 145 3 08 3 02 2 87 47 x 170 3 75 3 67 3 42 47 x 195 4 41 4 31 3 92 47 x 220 5 04 4 85 4 41 75 x 170 4 50.
Permissible clear span metres.
Dead load per square metre in kn m supported by joists.
Centre to centre spacing of joists in mm joist size width depth mm 400 450 600 400 450 600 400 450 600.
This is the distance between joist centres.
Surveyors span tables for designing roof rafters.
Size of joists mm clear span c16 joist m clear span c24 joist m 47 x 95 47 x 120 47 x 145 47 x 170 47 x 195 47 x 220 1 77 2 40 2 89 3 38 3 87 4 36 2 04 2 75 3 47 4 20 4 93 5 66 floor joists flat roof joists assumptions at 400mm centers supporting permanent load excluding self weight of joists up to 50kg m2.
Old asbestos roofs are often replaced with flat roofs.