Roofing - SMC085

Construction started on St Andrews Cathedral in the early 1160s and was completed In the Mediaeval period important buildings were roofed with timber which was then covered in stone. The roofing consisted of a set of timber 'trusses' which were boarded over and flagged. Roofing was a very cold and dangerous job.

First triangular frames, called 'trusses' are built on the ground. They are then dismantled and hoisted up to roof level were they are reassembled. Once several trusses are in place boards can be put across the beams and used to support a simple crane called a 'windlass'. Once all the trusses are in place 'sarking' boards are placed over them, which in turn are covered with flagstones.

Major repairs were made to the roof during the early twentieth century.
Welcome | Contact Us | Links