10x10 Gable Shed Roof Plans, How ToSpecialist - How to build Rafters for a Shed: Last Guide You'll Ever Need.
I have built quite a few shed roofs over the years, and no one is the same.Simple gables, slant roofs, and a few lean-to's are some of the things I've done.I always learn how to build different types of shed rafters when I build a new roof.
I thought it would be a good idea to put that knowledge into an article.I want to show you how to build rafters.We will look at a gable roof, but you can apply the rafter method to most types of shed roof styles.
We will go through what it takes to build rafters for a shed step by step.The materials and tools you will need to do the job will also be looked at.There is a difference between a Rafter and a TrussType of Shed Rafters.The frame of your roof is called a rafter.It is a beam that goes from the peak of your roof to the eve.It rests on top of your wall framing and serves to keep your shed walls in place while supporting a roof.Rafters typically use larger wood beams and do not have a framework other than the beams themselves.Large homes may have rafters that are 212 or more.A truss is made up of 2x4s and is often pre- fabricated in a factory.The 2x4s within the structure are used to support the roof.The staple of home construction is the holding of the tress together with steel.Depending on the design of the shed and the roof, there are many different types of Shed Rafters.We will look at some of the most common shed rafter types and why you might or might not consider them in your next shed project.A common rafter consists of two beams on either side of a shed wall.Each beam rests on top of each wall with a birdsmouth at the bottom.The rafters are attached to a horizontal ridge beam at the top.Every pair of rafters are connected by a ridge beam on the shed roof.Due to small size or lack of technical know-how, some shed rafters do not include ridge beams.Our instructions include making shed rafters with a ridge beam.When to use rafters?When constructing a gable roof or lean to-type shed roof where they can sit on or attach to top plates of a wall, common rafters make the most sense.Lean-to rafters connect to a ledger board against a wall of a shed or house.When used with a common rafter, Hip Rafter creates a more visually appealing roofline but creates less interior space.Hip rafters are beams that sit on two or all four corners of a shed wall and extend upward to meet the ridge beam.The gable roof in the midsection of the shed is slanted so that one end of a rectangular shed roof is parallel to it.Extra measurement is required to mesh the hip gable to the ridge beam.Adding roofing material is more difficult due to the added angles on your roof.The center rafter between two hip rafters is known as the King Rafter.The ridge beam extends from the edge to the center of the wall.A king rafter has hip rafters jutting from either side of the ridge beam.The king rafter is the same length as the common rafters.Since sheds take on all shapes and sizes, you should not take this rule as set in stone.When to use a rafter?You can use a king rafter to build a hip-style shed roof.The hip jack rafters connect to the hip rafters.The hip rafters will be shorter since they close the edges of the walls on either side.These are referred to as hip jack rafters.How much lumber should be used for roof rafters?You need to consult rafter span tables to see what size of wood you can use.The size of wood depends on the span of the shed.Since it is at an angle, your rafter is going to be a little longer than half the span of your shed.The pitch and span of your roof will dictate how long of a rafter you will need.2x4s can be used for rafters on spans up to 11 12'.You can use 2x6s for most sheds.There are tools and materials needed to build a shed.We will go through how to build rafters step by step after we know how big your rafters are.An example would be a 108 foot shed with a span of 8 feet.The process will be the same for a shed of any moderate size, but be sure to use the rafter sizing calculator above to find the correct rafters length and size.Each set of rafters will meet a horizontal 26 at the apex, which will run the length of the shed and connect to all of them.You will always use a larger ridge beam for rafters.In our case, 26.If you use 26 lumber for rafters, your ridge beam will be 8.If you want to find the length of your rafters, you need to know the pitch of the rafters.The calculator can be used to find your rafter length.A slope of 2:12 is the minimum requirement for many conventional roofing products.They claim that 4:12 is the lowest you can go without a special underlayment.Our roof will be 4:12.We will be building a 4:12 pitch roof with an 8' span and 1' of overhang.The rafter length is 5' 3 12” with this set of specifications.The total span is within the load capacity of 24 rafters, but how far apart can we space the rafters?The rafter spacing chart shows that 2x4s can span an 8' gap on a 4:12 roof.It is only for #1 kiln-dried wood, which may not be available to most of us.#2 grade 2x4s seem to be more common.We will have to space our rafters at 16” on the center if we use #2 grade 2x4s.We don't have to worry about snow or other debris falling on our shed roof.The speed square is the most important tool for this job.You can see that your speed square has regular measurement on one side and degrees on the other.The end with degrees has a set of numbers just above it.The numbers correspond to the roof pitch.Since we are using a roof pitch of 4:12, we will use the number 4 in that row to help us make our cuts.I know the rafter length will be 5' 3 12”.I will use my speed square to measure my first cut on my rafter.I will use the corner of the speed square on the 24 edge to pivot.The pivot will be rotating until the 4 is lined up with the outside edge of the rafter.The edge of the square is marked by a line.I get an exact 4:12 cut.I can do a few calculations and know that 4:12 is roughly 18 degrees, but a speed square is so quick that I don't need to do that.If you want to use a miter saw, you can simply move it to a different angle.When cutting the other end, make sure both cuts are parallel.You will only be measuring on one side from end to end if the cut is over 5 feet.After you make your first cut, slide the wood through the saw.Keeping the cuts parallel is ensured by this.Measure from the furthest point of your first cut with a measuring tape.Just as you did the first time, make a mark and use your speed square.If you use your unfinished shed floor as a template, you will be able to cut the birdsmouth joint much quicker.If the walls were already there, lay a set of rafters down on the floor and align them to the wall.To act as a ridge board, you need to lay a 24 on its edge at the top of the rafters.Get some scrap.Four of them should be cut into lengths of a couple of feet.There should be one above and one below each rafter.It is important that rafters are not out of place.You can now cut your birdsmouth joints by removing your rafters.To outline the cut in either rafter, use a pencil.You can outline the corners of the shed on the 2x4s because the rafters are hanging off the edges.You don't have to see what you are doing because the edges of the floor are your guide.After outlining either rafter, flip them over.You will have a triangle.This isn't the exact cut you need to make.You need to extend the vertical line you drew to the bottom of the rafter by taking a speed square.Now is the last measurement.The rafters are on the top plate of the shed walls.The vertical cut on your birdsmouth won't fit with the top plate.Why?The horizontal cut hanging over the shed walls needs to be extended by at least 12” or 58” to account for the wall sheathing.You should draw another vertical line 12” or 58” away from your initial vertical on your rafter.To meet the new line, extend the horizontal line from your initial cut.You will make a triangle by drawing a new vertical and horizontal line toward the inside of your shed.Although a handsaw or circular saw works, I use a jigsaw to make this cut.If using a circular saw, you can make your cuts, flip the wood over, cut out from the other side, then use a finishing handsaw to remove the rest.You can cut slowly with a handsaw.Mark and Cut the Other Rafters can be used as a guide for birdsmouth cuts.Line the rafters up side by side to check for accuracy after you cut them.You might think that since you used the original pair as a template that there wouldn't be any discrepancy, but you'd be surprised.If you aren't using a ridge beam, you'll want to use plywood gussets to reinforce the connection at the apex of each set of rafters.One sheet of 58” plywood should suffice for an 810 shed.The top of each set of rafters will be covered by triangles.The rule of thumb is to use wood that is twice the width of the rafters.For a 24 it's 7 to 8” long.The side with the longest length will be 8” tall.There is a sheet of plywood on saw horses.Measure down from the top edge of the material.Draw a line from the mark to the width of the plywood.The cut can be made with a circular saw or jigsaw.You have a piece of plywood.To mark out the rest of the plywood, use this piece.You have to cut your smaller piece into three triangles.The points should be marked off at one long edge.On the other side, do the same thing.You need to connect the dots to make three triangles, each 8” high and 16” long.Cut them out with a circular saw.To mark out the rest of your wood, use the finished gussets as templates.It takes 1 58” wood screws and construction glue to attach the gussets.You should use gloves when handling.The rafters on either end will only have a gusset facing the inside of the shed.There are two sides to the interior rafters.What is the standard shed roof?See rafter span chart for shed roof spacing.Depending on the span of your shed and rafters, there is no standard spacing.#2 grade 2x4s at 16” on the center will span just over 9.The same size of lumber and rafter spacing could be achieved with premium kiln-dried lumber.Consider rafter size, cost, and especially safety when installing your rafters.The load chart should apply to your lumber and rafter spacing.If you live in a place with a lot of snow, consider your load.The heavy load table has different values for lumber sizes, spans, and rafter spacing.If you are alone, installing rafters with a ridge beam can be difficult.You can do it all on your own, without breaking your back.Rafter placement is where you are going to place your rafters.Start from the front edge of your top plate, where your first rafter is going to sit, if you are doing 16” OC.Measure 16” down the top plate from there.It's time to make another mark.Go until you reach the end.The last two rafters will be close to each other, which is fine.After you have marked where each rafter will go, it is time to install the top plate.The notch opening should be flush with the top plate of the walls.They are installed so that they can be nailed to the interior sides of the top plates.They will be installed so that the mark you made on the top plates is in the center of the opening.Structural screws are required for these connections.You can't use old wood screws with these.Attach something to the rafters on either end.The brackets should be installed away from the edges of the wall on the top plates.To meet up with the birdsmouth cut, make sure they are near the side edge of the top plates.The rafter will have a full face of wood on it.You should mark out the ridge beam the same way you marked the top plate.I take the ridge beam and lay it on the top plate of one side of the wall, then mark the edge of it with a marker.The ridge beam and top plate need to be aligned.I need to re-check my measurement if the marks don't line up, so I bring the ridge beam to the other wall.I use ridge rafter connections to connect rafters to the ridge board for all rafters, except the pairs on either end, once I know the measurements are correct.This will save you a lot of hassle when you get the whole assembly up.Don't put the ridge board on the ends of the beam yet, you will do this at the end.I need braces for my ridge beam on the end of my shed walls to make it easier to install rafters and ridge beams.To make a mark, I need to find the center of my span on both the front and back walls.The calculator can be used to determine the length of your ridge beam to the wall.One 24 should be cut to the same length as the other two.The short 24 should be sandwiched between the longer ones.They should be screwed together.The short piece will sit on top of the wall in the center.It is possible to affix it with wood screws, but it needs to be able to hold the ridge board.The same thing should be done to the opposite wall.Put your ridge board through the braces.It should fit perfectly.Re-check your measurements if not.Attach the rest of the rafters requires you to line up your rafters with the ones you already have.This is the easy part if you measured correctly.You should install the rafters in pairs.The ridge board can come loose if you do just one side all the way down.Attach End Rafters to the ridge board.Once out of the way, you can get to work on the ridge board.You will use the same type of connection you used on the other rafters, except that you will have to cut one wing off the exterior shed side.Simpson structural-connector screws are used to install the connector.Now you can put your rafters in.The edge of your top plate should be flush with it.On the other side, repeat.Done!I hope you get some good information from this article about how to build rafters and install them in a shed.I have tried to give you a way to do these projects cheaply, yet safely, while staying within budget.Drop me a line or leave feedback if you have any questions.I wish you good luck with your shed rafter building project.You May Also Like:.WP-show-posts-columns#WPsp-4938He is interested in woodworking and home improvement.
The frame of your roof is called a rafter.It is a beam that goes from the peak of your roof to the eve.It rests on top of your wall framing and serves to keep your shed walls in place while supporting a roof.
Rafters use larger wood beams and do not have a framework other than the beams themselves.Large homes may have rafters that are 212 or more.
A truss is made up of 2x4s and is often pre- fabricated in a factory.The 2x4s within the structure are used to support the roof.The staple of home construction is the holding of the tress together with steel.
Depending on the design of the shed and the roof, there are many different designs of shed rafters.We will look at some of the most common shed rafter types and why you might or might not consider them in your next shed project.
A common rafter consists of two beams that extend upwards from the top plate of a shed wall.Each beam rests on top of each wall with a birdsmouth at the bottom.
The rafters are attached to a horizontal ridge beam at the top.Every pair of rafters are connected by a ridge beam on the shed roof.
Due to small size or lack of technical know-how, some shed rafters do not include ridge beams.Our instructions include making shed rafters with a ridge beam.
When to use rafters?When constructing a gable roof or lean to-type shed roof where they can sit on or attach to top plates of a wall, common rafters make the most sense.Lean-to rafters connect to a ledger board against a wall of a shed or house.
When using a hip rafter, it creates a more visually appealing roofline, but it also creates less interior space.
Hip rafters are beams that sit on two or all four corners of a shed wall and extend upward to meet the ridge beam.The gable roof in the midsection of the shed is slanted so that one end of a rectangular shed roof is parallel to it.
Extra measurement is required to mesh the hip gable to the ridge beam.Adding roofing material is more difficult due to the added angles on your roof.
The king rafter is between two hip rafters and is also known as a "king common".The ridge beam extends from the edge to the center of the wall.A king rafter has hip rafters jutting from either side of the ridge beam.
The king rafter is the same length as the common rafters.Since sheds take on all shapes and sizes, you should not take this rule as set in stone.
The hip jack rafters connect to the hip rafters.The hip rafters will be shorter since they close the edges of the walls on either side.These are referred to as hip jack rafters.
You need to consult rafter span tables to see what size of wood you can use.
The size of wood depends on the span of the shed.Since it is at an angle, your rafter is going to be a little longer than half the span of your shed.The pitch and span of your roof will dictate how long of a rafter you will need.
2x4s can be used for rafters on spans up to 11 12'.You can use 2x6s for most sheds.
Let's build some rafters.We will go through how to build rafters step by step after we know how big your rafters are.
An example would be a 108 foot shed with a span of 8 feet.The process will be the same for a shed of any moderate size, but be sure to use the rafter sizing calculator above to find the correct rafters length and size.
Each set of rafters will meet a horizontal 26 at the apex, which will run the length of the shed and connect to all of them.
You will always use a larger ridge beam for rafters.In our case, 26.If you use 26 lumber for rafters, your ridge beam will be 8.
The length of your rafters can be found by finding the pitch of the rafters.The calculator can be used to find your rafter length.
A slope of 2:12 is the minimum requirement for many conventional roofing products.They claim that 4:12 is the lowest you can go without a special underlayment.Our roof will be 4:12.
We will be building a 4:12 pitch roof with an 8' span and 1' overhang.The rafter length is 5' 3 12” with this set of specifications.The total span is within the load capacity of 24 rafters, but how far apart can we space the rafters?
The rafter spacing chart shows that 2x4s can span an 8' gap on a 4:12 roof.It is only for #1 kiln-dried wood, which may not be available to most of us.#2 grade 2x4s seem to be more common.
We will have to space our rafters at 16” on the center if we use #2 grade 2x4s.We don't have to worry about snow or other debris falling on our shed roof.
The speed square is the most important tool for this job.You can see that your speed square has regular measurement on one side and degrees on the other.The end with degrees has a set of numbers just above it.
The numbers correspond to the roof pitch.Since we are using a roof pitch of 4:12, we will use the number 4 in that row to help us make our cuts.
I know the rafter length will be 5' 3 12”.I will use my speed square to measure my first cut on my rafter.I will use the corner of the speed square on the 24 edge to pivot.The pivot will be rotating until the 4 is lined up with the outside edge of the rafter.
The edge of the square is marked by a line.I get an exact 4:12 cut.I can do a few calculations and know that 4:12 is roughly 18 degrees, but a speed square is so quick that I don't need to do that.
When cutting the other end, make sure both cuts are parallel.You will only be measuring on one side from end to end if the cut is over 5 feet.After you make your first cut, slide the wood through the saw.Keeping the cuts parallel is ensured by this.
Measure from the furthest point of your first cut with a measuring tape.Just as you did the first time, make a mark and use your speed square.
If you use your unfinished shed floor as a template, the birdsmouth joint will go much quicker.If the walls were already there, lay a set of rafters down on the floor and align them to the wall.To act as a ridge board, you need to lay a 24 on its edge at the top of the rafters.
Get some scrap.Four of them should be cut into lengths of a couple of feet.There should be one above and one below each rafter.It is important that rafters are not out of place.You can now cut your birdsmouth joints by removing your rafters.
To outline the cut in either rafter, use a pencil.You can outline the corners of the shed on the 2x4s because the rafters are hanging off the edges.You don't have to see what you are doing because the edges of the floor are your guide.
After outlining either rafter, flip them over.You will have a triangle.This isn't the exact cut you need to make.You need to extend the vertical line you drew to the bottom of the rafter by taking a speed square.
Now is the last measurement.The rafters are on the top plate of the shed walls.The vertical cut on your birdsmouth won't fit with the top plate.Why?The horizontal cut hanging over the shed walls needs to be extended by at least 12” or 58” to account for the wall sheathing.
You should draw another vertical line 12” or 58” away from your initial vertical on your rafter.To meet the new line, extend the horizontal line from your initial cut.
You will make a triangle by drawing a new vertical and horizontal line toward the inside of your shed.
Although a handsaw or circular saw works, I use a jigsaw to make this cut.If using a circular saw, you can make your cuts, flip the wood over, cut out from the other side, then use a finishing handsaw to remove the rest.You can cut slowly with a handsaw.
Line the rafters up side by side to check for accuracy after you cut them.You might think that since you used the original pair as a template that there wouldn't be any discrepancy, but you'd be surprised.
If you aren't using a ridge beam, you'll want to use plywood gussets to reinforce the connection at the apex of each set of rafters.One sheet of 58” plywood should suffice for an 810 shed.
The top of each set of rafters will be covered by triangles.The rule of thumb is to use wood that is twice the width of the rafters.For a 24 it's 7 to 8” long.
The side with the longest length will be 8” tall.There is a sheet of plywood on saw horses.Measure down from the top edge of the material.Draw a line from the mark to the width of the plywood.The cut can be made with a circular saw or jigsaw.
You have a piece of plywood.To mark out the rest of the plywood, use this piece.You have to cut your smaller piece into three triangles.The points should be marked off at one long edge.On the other side, do the same thing.You need to connect the dots to make three triangles, each 8” high and 16” long.
Cut them out with a circular saw.To mark out the rest of your wood, use the finished gussets as templates.
It takes 1 58” wood screws and construction glue to attach the gussets.You should use gloves when handling.The rafters on either end will only have a gusset facing the inside of the shed.There are two sides to the interior rafters.
Depending on the span of your shed and rafters, there is no standard spacing.#2 grade 2x4s at 16” on the center will span just over 9.The same size of lumber and rafter spacing could be achieved with premium kiln-dried lumber.
Consider rafter size, cost, and especially safety when installing your rafters.The load chart should apply to your lumber and rafter spacing.
If you live in a place with a lot of snow, consider your load.The heavy load table has different values for lumber sizes, spans, and rafter spacing.
It can be difficult to install rafters with a ridge beam alone.You can do it all on your own, without breaking your back.
You should mark out where you are going to put the rafters.Start from the front edge of your top plate, where your first rafter is going to sit, if you are doing 16” OC.Measure 16” down the top plate from there.It's time to make another mark.Go until you reach the end.
The last two rafters will be close to each other, which is fine.After you have marked where each rafter will go, it is time to install the top plate.The notch opening should be flush with the top plate of the walls.They are installed so that they can be nailed to the interior sides of the top plates.
They will be installed so that the mark you made on the top plates is in the center of the opening.Structural screws are required for these connections.You can't use old wood screws with these.
Attach something to the rafters on either end.The brackets should be installed away from the edges of the wall on the top plates.To meet up with the birdsmouth cut, make sure they are near the side edge of the top plates.The rafter will have a full face of wood on it.
You should mark out the ridge beam the same way you marked the top plate.I take the ridge beam and lay it on the top plate of one side of the wall, then mark the edge of it with a marker.The ridge beam and top plate need to be aligned.
I need to re-check my measurement if the marks don't line up, so I bring the ridge beam to the other wall.I use ridge rafter connections to connect rafters to the ridge board for all rafters, except the pairs on either end, once I know the measurements are correct.
This will save you a lot of hassle when you get the whole assembly up.
Don't put the ridge board on the ends of the beam yet, you will do this at the end.
I need braces for my ridge beam on top of my shed walls before I install the rafters.To make a mark, I need to find the center of my span on both the front and back walls.
The calculator can be used to determine the length of your ridge beam to the wall.One 24 should be cut to the same length as the other two.
The short 24 should be sandwiched between the longer ones.They should be screwed together.The short piece will sit on top of the wall in the center.It is possible to affix it with wood screws, but it needs to be able to hold the ridge board.
The same thing should be done to the opposite wall.Put your ridge board through the braces.It should fit perfectly.Re-check your measurements if not.
Attaching the rest of the rafters requires you to line up your rafters with the ones you already have.This is the easy part if you measured correctly.You should install the rafters in pairs.The ridge board can come loose if you do just one side all the way down.
The ridge board has braces on it.Once out of the way, you can get to work on the ridge board.You will use the same type of connection you used on the other rafters, except that you will have to cut one wing off the exterior shed side.
Simpson structural-connector screws are used to install the connector.Now you can put your rafters in.The edge of your top plate should be flush with it.