Framing Flat Roof Rafters

This example is for a roof with an 8 12 pitch.

Framing flat roof rafters. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. Visit the roof framing page for more information on cutting roof rafters and visit the roof pitch calculator for determining rafter lengths based on rise and run. If you build a flat roof try to have it slope in multiple directions to drains or gutters. It is not ideal for snow or heavy rain but modern materials and proper drainage have helped.

Roof framing rafter layout. Position the square at the end of the rafter board with the tongue on your left and facing away from you. As a general rule roofs that have a high human occupancy rate should be framed with rafters every 16 structures such as sheds or barns can be frames with rafters every 24 again make sure to consult local codes. Position the square with both the 8 inch on the outside edge of the tongue and the 12 inch on the blade on the upper edge of the board.

Think of a flattened hip roof. From one end of the rafter material using a speed square or framing square mark an x in 12 angle on the rafter and cut it measure down y height from the long point of the rafter cut and make a mark. This is our ultimate roof rafter guide for people designing and building an off grid cabin or tiny home. Rafter span tables use these tables to determine lengths sizes and spacing of rafters based on a variety of factors such as species load grade spacing and pitch.

Corbett grace their parents and even their kids are learning a lot about the many ways a few right many wrong to build a high performance home. 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. This will the first point of the rafter measurement line using the results of your rafter length calculation measure from this point along the rafter measurement. For roofs that will experience heavy snow or wind and will span the same distance use 2 6 rafters.

Learn the 1 rafter design that will guarantee your roof that is safe and strong for years to come. Discover the pros and cons to multiple roof designs. If your project had a rafter length of 8 or less a safe and strong method is to use 2x8 framed 16 on center. You can use either 2 6 or 2 4 rafters for roofs with a 3 12 pitch or greater but it depends on the overall size of your shed.

For roofs that won t experience heavy snow loads a gable roof can span up to 22 with 2 4 rafters.