Menu path
Construct-Roof > Bellcast Verandah (Pulldown Menu Only)
🧾 What is a bellcast verandah?
A bellcast verandah, also referred to as a 'split pitch' roof, is a type of verandah that has a different pitch angle than the main roof it attaches to. This creates a visual break or 'bell' effect where the two roof sections meet.
Important: This function has been largely superseded by the regular Verandah function, which can now achieve the same results. You may still need this legacy command for specific older projects or particular design requirements.
🔧 Prerequisites
Before using the bellcast command, you must:
Model the main roof using the Track-Outline roof commands
Cut back the main roof to the bellcast attachment alignment
🛠 How to create a bellcast verandah
Select the Bellcast Verandah command from the Construct-Roof menu
Select successive lines which are the bellcast attachment lines on the main roof
When finished selecting attachment lines, click the right mouse button
Digitise a point on the side where you want the new bellcast roof to be created
Configure the bellcast parameters in the dialog box that appears
Click OK to create the bellcast verandah
🧾 Bellcast parameters
Parameter | Description |
Roof type | Choose the material category: Tiles, Shingle, Shake, Metal, or Low-Slope |
Storey | Set the storey level (1, 2, etc.) for easier screen organisation and storey-specific labour rate calculations |
Width | The width of the bellcast portion of the roof |
Length of underlap | Amount the top edge of the bellcast projects up and under the attachment line |
Pitch | The pitch angle of the bellcast roof section |
Distance from first point | Distance the bellcast roof will start from the first point of the first attachment line |
Distance from last point | Distance the bellcast roof will start from the last point of the last attachment line |
💡 Extending the bellcast roof
You can extend the bellcast roof past the first and last points on the eave by entering a negative distance in the distance fields. This allows the bellcast to project beyond the selected attachment points.
🛠 Example: 4-hip roof with bellcast attachment
The following diagram shows a 4-hip roof with the four attachment lines (d1→d4) that you would select for the bellcast:
After configuring the bellcast parameters, the plan view shows the completed bellcast verandah:
The isometric view displays the three-dimensional result:
⚠️ Important notes
This is a legacy function - consider using the regular Verandah command for new projects
The main roof must be properly modelled and cut back before creating the bellcast
Labour rates for roof estimation may vary by storey level