Category Construction Glossary
House Framing Rafters
Rafters, as with ceiling joists, can be laid out on 16 or 24 inch on center. If
trusses are being used, the layout is normally 24 inch on center. The rafter
layout with regular lumber is commonly 16 inch on center. The dimensional size
of the rafter will depend on the span and pitch of the roof. The width of the
building as well as overhang is used to determine the length of the rafter. There
can be many types of rafters in a roof depending on the type of roof system.
The building may consist of common rafters, hip rafters, valley rafters, jack
rafters, and barge rafters. Once the rafter layout is complete and the rafters
cut, the rafters are ready to be installed. If trusses are being used there will be a
specific roof brace detail provided by the truss manufacturer. With regular
lumber, the roof bracing is a very important and essential part of the roof
system. Angle bracing is used to support the rafters. Angle braces are never
installed below a 45° angle. Collar braces are installed below the ridge on the
side of two rafters on opposite sides of the building . There should also be angle
bracing supporting gable ends. Once the rafters are installed and braced, the
roof decking is ready to be installed.
Rafters, as with ceiling joists, can be laid out on 16 or 24 inch on center. If
trusses are being used, the layout is normally 24 inch on center. The rafter
layout with regular lumber is commonly 16 inch on center. The dimensional size
of the rafter will depend on the span and pitch of the roof. The width of the
building as well as overhang is used to determine the length of the rafter. There
can be many types of rafters in a roof depending on the type of roof system.
The building may consist of common rafters, hip rafters, valley rafters, jack
rafters, and barge rafters. Once the rafter layout is complete and the rafters
cut, the rafters are ready to be installed. If trusses are being used there will be a
specific roof brace detail provided by the truss manufacturer. With regular
lumber, the roof bracing is a very important and essential part of the roof
system. Angle bracing is used to support the rafters. Angle braces are never
installed below a 45° angle. Collar braces are installed below the ridge on the
side of two rafters on opposite sides of the building . There should also be angle
bracing supporting gable ends. Once the rafters are installed and braced, the
roof decking is ready to be installed.