Contents

GUIDELINE FOR CREATING ROOF AND CEILING .................................................................... 2

ROOF ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
MAIN ROOF COMPONENT ................................................................................................................. 2
COMMONLY USED ROOF COMPONENT ............................................................................................ 4
CEILING ................................................................................................................................................ 5
INTERIOR CEILING;.............................................................................................................................. 5
EXTERIOR CEILING .............................................................................................................................. 5
CEILING UNDERLAYMENT .................................................................................................................. 5
STEPS FOR CREATING A ROOF AND CEILING DESIGN IN REVIT ...................................... 7
STEP 1: Setting Up the Project ........................................................................................................... 7
STEP 2: Selecting Roof Materials and Components .......................................................................... 7
STEP 3: Modeling the Roof ................................................................................................................. 7
STEP 4: Designing the Ceiling ............................................................................................................. 7
STEP 5: Review and Compliance Check ............................................................................................. 7
STEP 6: Callouts, Annotations, and Documentation ......................................................................... 7
ROOF CHECKLIST ............................................................................................................................. 8
GUIDELINE FOR CREATING ROOF AND CEILING
In architectural design, the roof plays a fundamental role in shaping the character and functionality of
a building. Serving as the protective covering that shields the interior from the elements, the roof also
contributes significantly to the overall aesthetics and architectural expression of a structure. From
simple and utilitarian to intricate and innovative designs, roofs not only provide shelter but also serve
as a key design element that can define the style and identity of a building. This document will explore
the various aspects of architectural roofs.

ROOF
TYPES OF ARCHITECTURAL ROOFS

1. Gable Roof 4. Gambrel Roof

2. Hip Roof 5. Flat Roof:
3. Mansard Roof 6. Shed Roof (or Lean-to Roof):

Commonly used roof types are

✓ Gable roof
✓ Flat roof

MAIN ROOF COMPONENT

❖ Roof covering ❖ Flashing (metal strips to prevent water
❖ Roof structure (rafters, trusses, penetration)
beams) ❖ Gutters and downspouts
❖ Roof sheathing (plywood or OSB) ❖ Insulation
❖ Underlayment (felt paper, synthetic ❖ Soffit
material) ❖ Facia

Roof sheathing Roof Roof coverings Flashing Insulation

underlayment
Materials Thickn Materials Materials Thicknes Materials Materials Thickness
ess s
Plywood ½” to Asphalt- Asphalt 0.25 to Copper Fiberglass 3.5 to 12 in
7/8” saturated felt shingles 0.3 insulation
inches
Oriented 5/8“ Synthetic Metal 0.015 to Aluminum Mineral 2 to 6 in
Strand to ½” underlayment roofing 0.018 in wool
Board insulation
(OSB)
Wood 1” Rubberized Clay or 0.25 to Galvanized Foam board 0.5 to
boards asphalt concrete 0.5 in Steel insulation several in
underlayment tiles
Fiberboa ½” to Non-Bitumen Wood 3/8 to 3/4
rd 1” Synthetic shingles or in
Underlayment shakes

Fiber ¼” to Peel-and- Slate 3/16 to

Cement ½” Stick 1/4 in
Sheathing Membranes
ROOF LAYERS FOR FLAT ROOF

Layers Materials Thickness

Roof Deck plywood 15/32 to 1 1/8 in
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 15/32 to 1 in
Wood Planks 1 inch
Concrete 2 to 4 inches
Vapor Barrier
Vapor Retarder Paints
Insulation Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)
Spray Foam
Roof Membrane EPDM membranes
TPO and PVC membranes
Surfacing Gravel 3/16 to 1/2 in
pavers 1.5 in and 2.5 in

gutter width 4”,5”,6”,7”

types Depth: 3”,4”,5”

Aluminum Commonly used size is Length: 10”,12”,16”,20”
Gutters
Vinyl Gutters Downspout Size: 2”,3”,4”
Seamless
Gutters

soffit

Types Thickness
Wood Soffits 1/2 inch to 1 inch

Aluminum Soffits 0.019 to 0.024 inches

Vinyl Soffits 0.04 to 0.05 inches

Fiber Cement Soffits 5/16 inch to 1/2 inch

Facia board

Types Thickness
Vinyl Fascia 0.04 to 0.12 inches

Wood Fascia 0.75 to 1.5 inches

Composite Fascia 0.5 to 1 inch

Aluminum Fascia 0.02 to 0.08 inches

PVC Fascia 0.06 to 0.12 inches

COMMONLY USED ROOF COMPONENT
Roof sheathing;
Plywood;

• If the plywood is to be used as sheathing, it should be 3/8“thick or more. If the rafters are
spaced 16 inches apart, a 3/8” plywood sheet should work just fine. For heavier roofs, thicker
sheathing will prevent the panels from sagging. However, when comparing plywood
thicknesses, remember that the minimum thickness is not always the best option.
• a thickness of 1/2’’ is advised
• Made from thin layers of wood veneer bonded together.
• Provides good structural strength and dimensional stability.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB):

• Made from wood strands or flakes arranged in layers and bonded together.
• Offers good structural performance and is a cost-effective option.
• a thickness of 5/8’’ is advised.

Roof underlayment;
Underlayment is a layer of material that is installed directly on top of the roof sheathing and
underneath the roof covering. Its primary function is to provide an additional barrier against water
infiltration and to protect the roof structure from moisture.

- Asphalt-saturated felt underlayment: This is described as the traditional or conventional type

of roofing underlayment. It is made from asphalt-saturated felt material.
- Non-bitumen synthetic underlayment: Also known as plastic synthetic or non-bitumen
synthetic underlayment. Made from synthetic polymers like polypropylene or polyethylene.
Cited as a newer and increasingly popular alternative to the traditional felt underlayment.

The commonly used sizes for roof felt paper rolls are:

A. 15 lb. (6.8 kg) rolls: used for asphalt shingle roofs

Width: 36 inches (914 mm)
Length: 144 feet (43.9 m)
B. 30 lb. (13.6 kg) rolls: used for tile or metal roofing
Width: 36 inches (914 mm)
Length: 72 feet (21.9 m)

Roof covering
Roof covering refers to the outermost layer of the roof that protects the building from various
elements such as rain, snow, sunlight, and wind. It is the material that is installed on top of the roof
structure to provide waterproofing and weatherproofing.

Common types of roof coverings include:

• Shingles (asphalt, wood, slate, or metal)

• Tiles (clay, concrete)

• Metal sheets (such as steel or aluminum)

CEILING
INTERIOR CEILING;

Types of interior ceiling

Drywall Ceiling
• Made from sheets of gypsum board (also known as drywall or plasterboard) that are installed
and finished with joint compound and paint.
• Provides a smooth, seamless finish and is one of the most widely used ceiling types.
Suspended Ceiling (Drop Ceiling):
• Consists of a grid system of metal or plastic tracks that hang from the structural ceiling,
supporting removable ceiling tiles.
• Tiles can be made from materials like mineral fiber, fiberglass, or even metal, offering a variety
of textures and patterns.
• Provides easy access to the space above the ceiling for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing
systems.
• Grid system: Varies depending on the manufacturer, but generally 1 inch (25.4 mm) or 15/16
inch (23.8 mm) wide
Wooden Ceiling:
• Uses various types of wood, such as tongue-and-groove boards, panels, or beams, to create a
warm, natural aesthetic.
• Provides a rustic or contemporary look, depending on the wood species and installation
pattern.
• Tongue-and-groove boards: Commonly 1/2 inch (12.7 mm), 3/4 inch (19.1 mm), or 1 inch (25.4
mm) thick
• Wood panels: Typically, 1/4 inch (6.4 mm), 3/8 inch (9.5 mm), or 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) thick
• Wooden beams: Vary in thickness based on design requirements, often 2 inches (50.8 mm) to
8 inches (203.2 mm) thick
EXTERIOR CEILING
Types of exterior ceiling

Fiber Cement Panel Ceiling

• designed to withstand harsh outdoor environments and environmental factors like moisture,
UV radiation, and temperature extremes.
• Installed on the exterior of a building, such as in covered patio areas, porches, or other
outdoor structures.
Vinyl Soffits
• A popular choice for residential soffit and eave ceilings is vinyl soffits.
Cellular PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
• Directly attached to the ceiling framing or suspended from the structural ceiling.
CEILING UNDERLAYMENT
VAPOR RETARDER
Prevents warm, moist air from the living space below from entering the ceiling cavity and
condensing on cooler surfaces

Common Vapor Retarder Materials

• Polyethylene plastic sheets or films

• Foil-faced insulation or gypsum board
• Asphalt-coated Kraft paper

Vapor retarders are available in various roll lengths, such as 50 feet, 100 feet or 200 feet.

Select a roll length that allows you to cover the area with minimal waste.

The overlap is usually around 4-6 inches.

ceiling

types Materials Thickness

Interior ceiling Drywall ceiling ½” or 5/8”
Suspended Ceiling (Drop Ceiling) 5/8” or 3/4"
Wooden Ceiling 1/4", 3/8”, or 1/2"
Exterior ceiling Fiber Cement Panel Ceiling 5/16”, 3/8”, 1/2"
Cellular PVC (polyvinyl chloride) 1/2", 3/4", 1”
Vinyl Soffits

Underlayment Vapor retarder

 STEPS FOR CREATING A ROOF AND CEILING DESIGN IN
REVIT
STEP 1: Setting Up the Project
▪ Copy the Roof Central File (CF) to your user directory and personalize the filename by adding
your username.
▪ Open the central file to begin the roof and ceiling design process.

STEP 2: Selecting Roof Materials and Components

▪ Determine the type of roof (flat or sloped).
▪ Create the necessary roof components or import project standards from a roof template file
(.rvt).
▪ Choose suitable roof materials, such as shingles, tiles, or metal panels, and specify their
dimensions, profiles, and installation methods.

STEP 3: Modeling the Roof

▪ Using the linked IFC file, outline the external perimeter of the roof and assign the appropriate
slope.
▪ Position the roof sheathing directly within the roof structural membranes.
▪ Incorporate openings for skylights, chimneys, vents, or other penetrations by utilizing the
appropriate tools to cut apertures in the roof.
▪ Include fascia board, drip edge, and soffit in the correct sizes.
▪ Add roof accessories, such as gutters, downspouts, and other elements, to complete the roof
system.
▪ Place roof shingle components/profiles on top of the roof sheathing and underlayment.

STEP 4: Designing the Ceiling

▪ Develop a suitable ceiling type.
▪ Define the boundary of the ceiling for each room, using the IFC file as a reference.
▪ Align the ceiling within the structural framing.

STEP 5: Review and Compliance Check

▪ Review the modeled roof components and their connections to ensure they adhere to the
project's design specifications and regulatory requirements.
▪ Compare the modeled roof components with the information from the primary project
documents to confirm accuracy and compliance.

STEP 6: Callouts, Annotations, and Documentation

▪ Use callouts to emphasize specific areas of the roof and ceiling system that require detailed
attention or further explanation.
▪ Add annotations to provide additional details about the roof and ceiling components, such as
material specifications, sizes, and construction specifics.
▪ Create detailed roof and ceiling plans, sections, to accurately represent the system within the
building, including dimensions, annotations, and labels for clarity and understanding.
▪ Validate the accuracy of the callouts, annotations, and documentation to ensure alignment with
the overall design requirements.
 ROOF CHECKLIST

No. Contents Check

1. Create a roof user file in user folder of a certain project ☐
2. Import the necessary project standards or create roof templet ☐
3. Link the IFC file ☐
4. Check the roof boundary is allied to the IFC ☐
5. Assign the roof with appropriate slope and type ☐
6. Check all facia, soffit, gutter are the right size ☐
7. Check all the components are included (roof-covering, underlayment and sheathing) ☐
8. Align the ceiling within the structural framing ☐
9. Double check the ceiling size and type ☐
10. callouts to highlight specific areas ☐
11. Add annotations ☐
12. Create detailed roof plans ☐
13. Create detailed roof callouts ☐
14. Sheathing board schedules ☐
15. Fastener schedules ☐
16. Soffit schedules ☐
17. Facia board schedule ☐
18. Gutter schedule ☐
19. Roof covering schedule ☐
20. Purlin schedules ☐
21. Insulation schedules ☐
22.
23.
24.