What is Mauerlat: design and installation with your own hands

Every homeowner needs to know the fundamentals of roofing. The mauerlat, a vital structural element that is essential to roof construction, helps to evenly distribute the weight of the roof across the building’s walls. Understanding the proper design and installation of a mauerlat is crucial, regardless of whether you’re building a new roof or remodeling an old one.

The mauerlat, sometimes referred to as a wall plate or wall beam, is a horizontal beam made of steel or wood that sits atop a building’s walls. Its main job is to transfer the weight of the roof to the load-bearing walls underneath it by supporting the roof trusses or rafters. For the roof structure to be stable and long-lasting, the mauerlat must be properly secured.

The installation and positioning of the mauerlat are essential phases in roof design. Depending on the building materials and local building codes, bolts or nails should be used to firmly fasten the mauerlat to the walls. It ensures that the rafters or trusses are correctly aligned and supported by acting as their anchor point.

If you’re thinking about building a roof on your own, installing a mauerlat needs precise planning and execution. First, choose the right material for the mauerlat according to the load estimates and structural specifications for your particular roof design. Make sure the mauerlat is installed level and firmly fastened, and that the walls can support the weight.

What is Mauerlat and its functions

Numerous functional components are included in the roof’s design because it protects the building’s supporting walls. A Mauerlat, which is a row of beams or the crown of a beam positioned on the upper portion of the walls, is one of these rafter system components. Throughout the entire building’s perimeter, Mauerlat is in contact with the upper part of the walls, ensuring that the functions assigned to this series of timber are performed.

Its maximum efficiency and functionality are provided by a basic Mauerlat device. In order to prevent distortion or deformation of the roof, the bars system distributes the weight of the roof uniformly along all of the building’s walls. The maintenance and repair of the roof on the walls is the Mauerlat’s second purpose.

What Mauerlat is made of

The most common material used for roof rafter systems is wood. The same material is used to make Mauerlat. The final, dependable crown of walls in wooden homes can serve as the role of Mauerlat. Aerated concrete, brick, and other comparable building materials are used to construct Mauerlat, which is constructed using wooden bars that have specific dimensions based on the wall’s dimensions.

Metal anchors are used to secure Mauerlat to the walls. In order to accomplish this, bolts that are longer than the beams’ thickness are fixed into the brickwork. After marking the locations of the holes on the boards, lay the beams and slide the bolt ends into the holes. The Mauerlat is securely fastened with special nuts that are twisted on top. Therefore, 150 or 200 mm-section wooden bars and anchor bolts that are larger than the beam’s thickness are needed to create the foundation for the rafter system.

This piece from "All about the roof" delves into the fundamental idea of the Mauerlat, including its definition, construction, and self-installation process. Because it firmly anchors roof rafters to the building’s walls, the Mauerlat plays a vital structural role in the construction of roofs. We’ll help you select the appropriate materials, comprehend load-bearing specifications, and follow detailed instructions for a secure and efficient installation. Gaining expertise in Mauerlat installation will enable you to guarantee a sturdy and dependable roof structure for your house, regardless of whether you’re building from scratch or remodeling.

Installation of a roof Mauerlat

The installation of mauerlat can be done with or without a belt reinforcement. When walls are not sufficiently strong, which is rare, the first option is ideal. Consequently, the most typical installation without a belt reinforcement.

Fixation to the brick wall

Waterproofing material is applied to the brick wall prior to the Mauerlat being fastened; brackets on the bars fix the material’s edges after installation. Additionally, you can apply bitumen to the wall’s edges before laying the boards. By doing this, you can keep the basis free from deterioration and deformation. The following are additional actions:

  1. The bars are tied in a single hard frame by fraining, which is carried out by a slanting clab and fixation with a nail fight or bolts.
  2. As the boards are fed, the pre -installed anchor bolts are fixed. An additional fixation is possible on a strong metal wire, which is equipped in brickwork.
  3. After laying and fastening the Mauerlat around the entire perimeter, you need to bend the edges of the waterproofing material, pull them and fix them with brackets.

An armored carrier can be used to complete the roof’s foundation. To accomplish this, a reinforcing structure made of rods positioned along the length of the walls and fastened in rectangular structures is built by pouring concrete over the edge of the walls. Boards that are screwed into and out of the walls make up the pouring formwork. After pouring concrete into the reinforcement, five days are needed for fixation.

Video: Mauerlat attachment to Armopome

Brusy connection among themselves

Mauerlat can be made up of thick bars that have been half the thickness of the elements or secured together using an ice hole technique. In the event that 150×50 mm boards are utilized for the base, they are arranged in three rows. Strong self-tapping screws are used to firmly fasten the components to one another and to the anchor.

Video: Sowing Brusiev

Internal thermal insulation of Mauerlat

Little cold bridges are created during the building of the roof base, which has a big impact on the interior atmosphere. One such area is frequently the one where the attic floor and Mauerlat meet. Careful insulation is required in these circumstances.

To stop the fungus from growing, all wooden components need to be treated with an antiseptic mixture before the insulation is installed. The most common materials used as warming components are mineral wool, fiberglass, polyurethane foam, and popular polystyrene stoves. All that needs to be done is lay and glue the material slabs onto the required surfaces. Polyurethane foam insulation sprayed on is an efficient solution.

Features of waterproofing

Preventing moisture from damaging the roof’s base design is a crucial building step. Waterproofing keeps the integrity of the rafter system intact and prevents the beam from deteriorating. The Mauerlat beam is covered in multiple roofing layers or a single waterproof layer for this reason. Preliminary processing of boards with a stain or other antiseptic and fire agents designed for wood will be ensured by additional protection.

Important requirements for the extended service life of the Mauerlat include the least amount of joints, excellent wood quality, and the absence of cracks. In this instance, the waterproofing will provide good material protection and strengthen the structure.

Mauerlat for different types of roofs

The construction of various roof types does not significantly differ from one another based on the design of the roof’s base. Mauerlat is always positioned on the walls of simple gable roofs because it acts as a support system and a layer connecting the rafter system and bearing elements.

Mauerlat is based on standard technology if a residential attic is to be installed in the house that is currently being built. In this instance, the beam is fastened to the anchors’ walls without the need of intricate techniques. Since the attic should be comfortable, complete insulation and waterproofing are especially important.

Because of the intricate design of hell roofs, the Mauerlat system ought to be the most resilient. While the hip roof’s foundation is made in accordance with general guidelines, its load is marginally greater than when a straightforward gable roof is present. It is best to fix the armopo basis for this.

In order to build a roof with two slopes, a Mauerlat that is dependable must be fastened to the walls. The two walls that support the roof’s slopes bear the brunt of the weight. Consolidation is appropriate in this situation both with and without an armored bearing.

To sum up, anyone thinking about building a roof needs to understand the significance and purpose of a Mauerlat. The Mauerlat is a vital component that connects a building’s walls and roof structure, distributing the weight of the roof evenly across the walls that support it. This helps to avoid any possible damage to the walls over time and guarantees structural integrity.

A careful consideration of local building codes, roof type, and material selection are all important aspects of Mauerlat design. A well-designed Mauerlat guarantees that it can support the weight of the roof and endure environmental stresses like wind and snow loads. This is especially crucial in regions that frequently experience severe weather.

A Mauerlat installation calls for accuracy and close attention to detail. In order to ensure that the Mauerlat is level and correctly aligned with the roof structure, it must be firmly fastened to the top of the walls. This is a crucial step because any misalignment or instability could jeopardize the stability and safety of the entire roof.

Although the idea behind a Mauerlat may seem simple, its importance in supporting the roof cannot be emphasized. For the long-term durability and safety of the entire structure, whether you are building a new roof or renovating an old one, it is crucial to make sure the Mauerlat is designed and installed correctly.

Video on the topic

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Gleb Zuev

Exterior designer, author of books about roofing materials. I will help you make your roof not only reliable, but also beautiful.

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