Rafter Construction Roof Framing

Mark and cut the first rafter ends the first step in building the roof rafters is to cut one rafter board to length with the ends angled properly and then to mark and cut the birds mouth and seat on the rafter.

Rafter construction roof framing.

Definition of collar tie in roof framing definition. Some are cut to fit the plate whereas others in hasty construction are merely laid on top of the plate and nailed in place. Using a construction calculator the values on the calculator that we use for common roof framing are. If your project had a rafter length of 8 or less a safe and strong method is to use 2x8 framed 16 on center.

A collar tie is a horizontal roof rafter compression connector that is located in the uppermost third of the span of a pair of opposed sloped or gable roof rafters. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. The ridge end of the rafter and often the eve end will need to be cut to the angle of the roof slope. Typical rafter spacing codes will specify a minimum spacing of 16 inches 19 2 inches or 24 inches.

By upper third here we mean one third of the length of the rafter from ridge to top plate. The wall and the roof. Shed gable hip gambrel and mansard. While most home builders will outsource the construction of roofing trusses the rafter supports of the roof itself learning to frame a roof yourself is one of the true arts of carpentry and a basic primer is covered below.

The structural relationship between the rafters and the wall is the same in all types of roofs. If you have any two of those values the calculator will quickly figure out the rest of the right triangle which means it will tell you everything else you need to know about a rafter. Framing a roof is the last step in framing new construction. Before you cut your boards you ll need to measure the width of your building and calculate the exact length of each rafter.

Rafter spacing rafters must be strong enough to hold the roof sheathing and the shingles. If your local building authority has a rafter spacing code you may not space rafters wider than required by code. Piece by piece rafter roof construction however is still the more common construction method for many buildings. If you re framing a gable roof on a new house or building a shed or even a doghouse with a gable roof you ll need to cut a number of roof rafters.

It is always better to have a large rafter rather than be concerned with a sagging roof. Roofs are framed in five basic designs. The rafters are really functional parts of both the walls and the roof.