HIP & VALLEY ROOFS

General view of hip & valley roof above, this and other pictures and text
have been used from “Australian Practical Carpentry”, re-typed for clarity.

M.S.Martin / 2rd Year / hip & Valley

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THE HIP & VALLEY ROOF:

A valley is formed in a pitched roof wherever an internal angle is found on

the roof plan. A typical example of this is shown on previous page where
offsets are made, projecting off the main roof. The main roof is usually refered
to as the major roof and contains the major span (S¹) and the major rise (R¹).
The offset is the minor roof and has the minor span (S²) and the minor rise (R²)

The example shows the major and minor spans being unequal and a new set
out must be prepared for the rafters of the minor roof. Pitch of roof remains
the same, with the introduction of the valley, no new bevels need to be
developed.

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ROOF MEMBERS:

VALLEY RAFTER
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BROKEN HIP RAFTER

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VALLEY CREEPERS
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CRIPPLE RAFTER OR CRIPPLED CREEPER

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LENGTH OF CRIPPLED CREEPER

 Can be developed mathematically by creeper reduction or
 More commonly measured in situ once broken hip & valley are in
place

Look on next page for examples of creeper cuts

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SET OUT OF PLATES:

As shown below wall plates are set out in a similar manner to the main roof.
Commence with the centring rafters and crown end rafters at the offset end
and mark off common rafters back towards the main roof

SETTING OUT THE MINOR ROOF:

As the wall plates are being set out it is also an ideal time for setting out the
minor ridge. A very strong job will result if the ridge is projected beyond the
valley gathering point and fixed to the next rafter. Lay the ridge board beside
the wall plates and mark the position of the rafters on the face. The distance
from the hip gathering point to the valley gathering point is the same as the
length of the offset. Extend the ridge beyond this point to the face of the next
rafter in order to determine it’s length

SETTING OUT THE PATTERN

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RAFTER:

The hypotenuse is the true length of the common rafter for the minor roof
(1559)

EXAMPLE SHOWN:

Example used has a 30º pitch, therefore the rise per / m run is 577mm and the
true length per / m is 1.155

½ span of minor roof is 1.350

therefore : centre line length for minor roof is

T/L per/m x ½ span (minor)

1.155 x 1.350 = 1.559

True length creeper reduction is

T/L per/m x spacings

1.155 x .600 = .693

PITCHING THE HIP & VALLEY ROOF:

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Using a straight edge, check that the minor ridge will line up with the rafters
on the main roof and that it is level. A temporary prop may be necessary for
holding firmly in position

SETTING OUT THE VALLEY RAFTERS & CREEPERS:

The valley can now be completed as follows

1) Gathering point – locate the valley gathering point and partly drive a
nail to indicate it’s position clearly. The centre line of the broken hip &
valley must gather in this point.
2) Length of broken hip – use a steel tape to measure the length of the
broken hip along it’s centre line from the major ridge, point S, to a
point directly above the centre line where it strikes the face of the
minor ridge, point T. use the edge of a rule to project this point
accurately on to the tape. Prepare the broken hip and fix it into
position, using a short straight edge to align the top of the hip with the
opposing edge of the minor ridge.

See sketch on following page

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