Chinese Roofing Architecture

Unlike Western roofing designs, the typical Chinese roofing system allows the weight of the tile and roof to be distributed through the wooden frame and not on load bearing walls. This gives designers a lot more freedom to place walls and create open spaces. This concept allows for amazing design flexibility in Chinese construction. Traditional Chinese roofing consists of two basic types of design.

The first type is a pillar and beam design. It features strong pillars around the perimeter that are topped with beams. The beams then hold smaller pillars and beams which help distribute and hold the weight of the roof. The second type of roofing construction is similar to the first, except that it also has pillars within the perimeter of the building which help to support the roof's structure. This design is known as the pillars-and-transverse-tie-beams system and is another popular choice for the homes of the wealthy throughout China.

Since the Sichuan province is China is still forested enough to yield the heavy timbers needed for such roofing, the majority of beams come from this region. Because of that, there is more evidence of traditional roofing designs in this area compared to other parts of the country. The Sichuan province is also home to many of the highly skilled carpenters who specialize in the pillar-and-beam designs. The homes of the wealthy, as well as royal buildings and temples, often are accented with additional structural elements.

Corbelled brackets are used to support the roof and the decorative ornaments that are frequently used in the design of such buildings. The brackets themselves add a decorative touch to the structure, but their main function is to serve as extra support for the weight of the edge of the roof. Since Chinese architecture is more attuned to the breadth of the structures as opposed to the height, many homes and buildings are no taller than one story. It is extremely rare to find a residential home that is three stories. This emphasis on single-level space has been the inspiration for feng shui and other open and peaceful designs.

When considering building a structure in the Western part of the world with a Chinese inspired roofing system, take into account the high-level of skill needed by carpenters and engineers to accomplish such a task. The expense of such expertise may outweigh the appeal that the Chinese style roof holds. Do not forget to calculate in the cost of the large beams that will be needed for the pillars and beams. The lumber alone may put such a design out of reach. Also take into consideration the climate and how weather might affect the structural integrity of such a design.