Build a Roof That Breathes: Master 8 Traditional, Cement-Free Roofing Techniques

What if your roof could do more than just provide shelter? What if it could breathe, stay cool naturally, and connect your home to centuries of architectural wisdom? For generations, homes across India were protected by stunning, resilient roofs built without a single drop of cement. This online course package revives that lost art.

Positioned as India's first comprehensive course on the subject, this package provides detailed, step-by-step documentation of various traditional roofing systems. It is your complete guide to building sustainable, long-lasting, and beautiful roofs using only natural materials.

What You Will Master in This Package

• Distinct cement-free roofing techniques, suitable for both flat and sloped designs.
• How to build iconic Indian roofs like the Flat Mud Roof, the Madras Terrace Roof, and the Limecrete Roof.
• Techniques for using traditional terracotta tiles, including the Pot Tile and Mangalore Tile systems.
• The structural principles required for strong, load-bearing natural roofs.
• How to create open terraces and additional floors in natural buildings.
• The crucial role of materials—lime, mud, bamboo, and admixtures—in creating a durable roof.

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Course Curriculum

2.1 Introduction to Roofing Techniques

What is roof, Parts, categories, weights of roof, wall plate

• What is Roof? The functions of roof and the importance of roof
• The importance of roof in design before walls and foundation
• The different parts of the roof - Structure and covering material
• Impact of choice of roof upon the building
• The effect of climate upon roof
• Different types of roofs in different regions in India
• Possibility of making the roof before the walls
• Category of roof- Slope/pitched Roof & Flat Roof
• Weight of different types of roof
• Category of roof depending on the weight
• Connection between roof and wall using wall plate

Slope of roof,  Different factors, categories, Covering Materials, Thatch

• The slope of the roof - definition and function
• Different factors which determine the slope of the roof
• Different category of roof depending on the slope of the roof
• Effect of wind pressure upon the roof
• Types of covering material for sloping roof - Mangalore Tile, Country tile, Wooden Shingles
• Thatch Roof - Different types and their life span

Stone Roof, Category & Types of Flat roofs

• Different Types of stone roof and their structure - Using Slate and Kadappa
• What are flat roofs - Open Terrace roofs & Intermediate roofs
• Different type of Flat roofs - Flat Mud roof, Adobe rood, Limecrete roof Hourdi Roof, Madras terrace roof.

2.2 Flat Mud Roof

Section 1 - Introduction, journey, experimentations and what’s needed

• Introduction to Flat Mud Roof
• What is a flat mud roof
• Thanal’s Journey
• Experimentations
• Akhila Surenderan’s Home
• Kalari Flat Mud roof
• Materials required for flat mud roof
• Tools Used
• Walls - Type of walls
• Structure design for a flat mud roof

Section 2 - How to build the structure for a flat mud roof?

• Wall Plate - Definition, types
• Beams - How can bamboo be used, designed, and other materials
• Raftes- Functions, design, alternate method with only rafters
• Holding Surface - Purpose, materials used, an alternate method
• Shuttering - Function and materials used

Section 3 - Mud mix preparation & filling, conclusion

• Vapour Barrier - Purpose, Types of leaves and other materials
• Mud Mix - Mix ratio of mud lime and plant admixtures, methods of mixing and fermentation
• Filling the mud mix up on the roof
• Adding a dry mix layer
• Prototype and testing
• Conclusion

Section 4: Finishes

• Lime plaster
• Surkhi lime finish
• Cowdung finish
• Terracotta tile 

Section 5: References and What’s next?

2.3 Madras Terrace Roof

Section1: Introduction and Prerequisites

• How does the roof work?
• Thannal’s Journey
• Recent Revivals
• What are the materials required?
• What are the tools needed?
• Type of walls upon which this roof can be built
• Structure - Three types
• Wall Plate- Function and material options

Section 2: Types of Structure and Wall Masonry

• Structure - Case 1 - Without Beams, Only Rafters
• Structure - Case 2 - With Beams and Wooden rafters
• Structure - Case 3 - With Stone columns and Wooden Beam
• Masonry work with burnt bricks and lime mortar

Section 3: Making of the roof with terrace bricks

• Preparation for roofing
• Making lime mortar for terrace bricks
• Making the special kaddukai jaggery mix
• Preparing the Terrace bricks
• Laying the Terrace Bricks
• First layer and second layer in detail
• Making of the brick enclosure/parapet wall

Section 4: Limecrete Layer

• How to do the Limecrete layer?
• How to level the surface according to the flow of water?
• Different mixes for limecrete
• Beating of lime
• Curing of limecrete layer

Section 5: Finishes

• Lime plaster
• Surkhi lime finish
• Cowdung finish
• Terracotta tile 

Section 6: References and What’s next?
 

2.4 Limecrete Roof

Section 1: Introduction, History and Prerequisites

• Limecrete roof as an exposed roof and an intermediate roof
• Traditional practices
• Context of Limecrete at Thannal
• Materials in use
• Terminologies
• Preparatory Works

Section 2: Structure and Roof opening

• Types of structures which can support Limecrete roof
• Making the beams and laying them
• Rafters placement and joineries
• Holding membrane-material options
• How to make an opening in the roof
• Shuttering with Wood

Section 3: Limecrete preparation & laying

• Ingredients for preparing the mix
• Preparation of special admixtures 
• Preparation of limecrete Mix
• Laying the limecrete roof
• Fixing glass in the opening
• Beating of lime

Section 4: Finishes & Conclusion

• Lime plaster
• Surkhi lime finish
• Cowdung finish
• Terracotta tile
• Conclusion

Section 5: References and What’s next?

2.5 Khiru Roof

Section 1: Introduction, Origin and Prerequisites

• What is A Khiru roof and its origin?
• Thannal’s Journey
• What are the materials required?
• What are the tools needed?
• What type of walls can withstand Khiru roof?

Section 2: Structure and initial layers

• Structure of the roof
• Changing the existing structure to suit it
• Framework type of structure
• Roof layers using branches, leaves and straw

Section 3: Final Layers and conclusion

• Layer 4: With Mud, lime and brickbats
• Layer 5: With Mud and Lime layer
• Conclusion

Section 4: Finishes

• Lime plaster
• Surkhi lime finish
• Cowdung finish
• Terracotta tile 

Section 5: References and What’s next?

2.6 Adobe Roof

Section 1: Introduction and Structure

• Introduction
• Thannal’s Journey
• How to Build the structure?
• Similarities in flat mud roof and adobe roof
• Different types of holding surface

Section 2: Making of adobe bricks

• How to make adobe bricks?
• Mix ratios for adobe bricks
• How role of lime and fibres can affect the bricks?
• How to increase strength by adding different materials?

Section 3: Laying roof 

• Use of leaves as vapour barriers
• Placing of adobe bricks
• How to place the glass on roof?
• Conclusion

Section 4: Finishes

• Lime plaster
• Surkhi lime finish
• Cowdung finish
• Terracotta tile 

Section 5: References and What’s next?

2.7 - Pot Tile Roof / Country tile roof 
 

Section 1: Introduction, Prerequisites and Bamboo Structure

• What materials are needed?
• What are the tools required?
• Types of Terracotta tiles and how to identify them
• Quantity of tiles required to build a roof
• Bamboo Frame Structure design
• Building wall plates using special joints

Section 2: Crafting Bamboo Structure step by step

• Placing the ridge to get the required slope of the roof
• Learn how to make rafters
• Build connecting beams and their intricate joints
• How to fix reapers and sizes of reapers
• How to do a curved designer roof?
• Undulations and Corrections

Section 3: Design and building the Bracing

• How to build bracing for the roof extension?
• Design of the additional supports
• Fixing using interesting bamboo joints
• Placing them within walls
• Fixing using stone slabs and lime mortar

Section 4: Laying Tiles

• Laying the terracotta tiles
• Placing of base tiles 
• How to check the levels
• Testing of placement
• Placing the ridge tile 
• Conclusion

2.8 - Sandwich Roof using Terracotta Tile 

Section 1: Introduction and Structure

• Introduction
• The story behind the sandwich roof
• Transformation of the existing structure
• Holding surface
• Rafters

Section 2: Barriers and Battens

• Vapour Barrier using Leaves
• Thermal barrier using Lime
• Battens or Reapers

Section 3: Tiles, Skylight and Conclusion

• Laying of Tiles and Ridge Tile
• Placing glass for skylight using Lime mortar
• Conclusion

Part B: BONUS - Includes Foundational Materials Knowledge

A roof is only as strong as the materials it's made from. This package includes the complete Part 1: Essential Materials course as a free bonus to ensure you have the foundational wisdom required.

• 1.1 Introduction to Natural Building: (Learn the philosophy of natural building, why traditional systems changed, and the 'Jagrat' concept of sensory connection).
• 1.2 Mud: (Understand soil composition and perform essential on-site mud tests to find the right earth for construction).
• 1.3 Bamboo: (Discover how to identify, sustainably harvest, and treat bamboo using traditional, chemical-free methods).
• 1.4 Lime: (Master the full lime cycle, from burning limestone in a kiln to slaking and testing its quality for use).
• 1.5 Surkhi: (Explore the science of pozzolanic materials and learn how to make your own Surkhi to create stronger lime mixes).
• 1.6 Admixtures Part-1: (Uncover the secrets of traditional binders and natural additives like Kadukkai, neem, cow dung, and plant fibers).

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Who Should Enroll in This Course?

• Architects, Civil Engineers, and Builders seeking sustainable, cement-free alternatives for their projects.
• Owner-Builders and Homeowners who want to make informed decisions about their roof, the most critical part of their home.
• Design Students and Researchers interested in the deep knowledge of traditional Indian building techniques.
• Anyone passionate about sustainable living and eco-friendly construction.

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What Our Students Say

"The detail in the Madras Terrace Roof module was incredible. I finally understand the layers and the importance of the admixtures. This knowledge is priceless." - Muthappa, Accountancy and Finance, Bangaluru

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these roofing techniques suitable for areas with heavy rainfall?
  Yes. Techniques like the Limecrete Roof and Madras Terrace Roof were specifically designed for excellent water resistance. The course covers the appropriate selection of techniques, the importance of proper slope, and finishing methods to ensure durability in different climates.
• Can I build a terrace or a second floor using these methods?
  Absolutely. Many of these flat roofing techniques, such as the Madras Terrace, Limecrete, and Adobe roofs, are designed to create strong intermediate floors or open-air terraces for multi-story buildings.
• Do I need the Part 1: Materials course before taking this one?
  You don't need to purchase it separately. This package already includes the complete Part 1 course as a bonus, giving you all the foundational material knowledge you need to succeed.

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Course Details

• Total Duration: Approximately 14 hours 20 minutes (8 hours 45 minutes on Roofing Techniques + 5 hours 35 minutes on Essential Materials).
• Language: English
• Pace: Self-Paced, learn on your own schedule.
• Access: Lifetime Validity.

The displayed price is inclusive of GST (18%), Payment Gateway Charges (2-3%), Platform Charges (10%), Affiliate Charges (20%).

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This curriculum, born from decades of research and practice, empowers you to make informed decisions for your sustainable building projects. Enroll today and start building for the future.