Roof Framing

Information related to Chapter 10

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Roof types

Gable Most common, built with common rafters Hip Provides overhang on all four sides Gambrel Provides more space on second floor Mansard Combination of Hip and Gambrel Shed- Frequently used to attach one structure to another

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Definitions

Common rafter Runs from top plate to ridgeboard of a gable roof Hip rafter Runs from corner of top plates to ridgeboard on a hip roof Jack rafter any rafter which does not run the full length from plate to ridge ( e.g. Hip jack, Valley jack)

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Roof Geometry Definitions

Span Measurement from outside of wall to outside of opposite wall Run One half of span (for symmetric roofs) Rise The total vertical distance that the roof projects above the top plate Slope The rise divided by the run, always given in terms of 12 of run (e.g. 3 on 12 written 3/12) Pitch The rise over the span

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Overhang The section of the rafter extending past the edge of the wall Projection The horizontal distance that the overhang covers Rafter tail cuts Cuts made to form the overhang Birdsmouth Cuts made to sit on the top plate Ridge cut Cut made to attach to the ridgeboard

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Rafters vs. Trusses

Rafters used frequently for remodeling, for cathedral ceilings, for shed roof additions, for full 2nd floor storage, and spans up to 24 Trusses used in most new construction, for spans 24-60, and most commonly for lower sloped roofs

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Sizing Rafters Rafter size (like span tables for floor joists) depends on spacing, species, load, and span. Sizing of rafters typically based on snow load in Northeast. The specific loads come from the International building code

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Determining rafter lengths There are two distances needed for rafter layout

Ridge cut to birdsmouth Ridge cut to tail cut

Determining rafter length can be done using calculator, builders calculator, or look-up tables

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To calculate the rafter length, the rafter square contains tables that are inscribed in the square. The carpenter can use this information to avoid the need to work with trigonometric functions. The square includes info for common rafters, hips, valleys and jacks.

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For example:

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Hips and Valley rafters can also be calculated and laid out using the rafter square, with some important differences;

The unit run is 17, not 12 The ridge, birdsmouth, and tail need cheek cuts, or some modification or the top surface needs to be beveled

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The Hip (or Valley) rafter forms a diagonal on the roof, and the length of that diagonal is 17 for each 12 of run of the common rafters.

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The ridge cut is modified to fit into the space between the common rafters

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The Birdsmouth must be dropped, or the top of the rafter beveled to account for the centerline being lower than the edges of the rafter

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The tailcuts will be beveled for solid nailing at the outside corner. For Hip rafters this is an outside corner, and for valley rafters this is an inside corner.

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Jack rafters have a cheek cut where they meet the hip or valley. Each one is shorter than the last by a common difference.

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The concept of common difference will also be applied when cutting gable end studs.

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Dormers Most dormers are either shed or gable dormers. They are framed with common rafters.

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Where shed or gable dormers meet the main roof, the rafters must be cut to create either a valley or break.

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Gable end overhangs Both rafter and truss roofs commonly use gable end overhangs. However the overhangs are framed differently for trusses than for rafters.

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The vast majority of new construction uses trusses for the roof framing. Each truss is designed for the individual characteristics of the job, and delivered to the site ready to be erected. It is very rare that anyone site builds a truss today.

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There are a number of important points in building a truss roof:

Proper handling Proper lifting and setting Proper temporary bracing Proper permanent bracing

These are explained in a HIB 91. Also notes will be found on the paper that comes with the trusses

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Proper Handling Trusses are made of small dimension lumber connected by metal plates. Side loading, heat, shock loading can damage metal plates and greatly weaken truss.

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Proper lifting and setting A truss erection plan will show the location of each numbered truss.

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Proper temporary bracing The most common cause of truss collapse is insufficient or improper temporary bracing. Temporary bracing stays in place until the roof is sheathed and the permanent bracing is installed.

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47 MPH wind speed for a period of 1 minute.

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Permanent Bracing This is usually shown on the truss erection diagram. Compression members will buckle easily (and truss will not develop its design strength) if not properly braced. This can be done with continuous lateral or individual T bracing