The last step is framing a roof.Learning to frame a roof yourself is one of the true arts of carpentry, and a basic primer is covered below.Depending on the design and style of the roof you're building, the trusses will vary, but you can learn about selecting between the various styles, and basic guidelines for cutting your own rafters and raising them.
Step 1: Pick a style of roof.
If you want to frame a roof, you've got two important choices to make in terms of design before you start: what kind of roof style you prefer, and what type of scuplture you would like to use.Depending on the shape of the home and other practical concerns, there are many different roof styles.The way in which you plan for the construction of the roof will depend on how you want it to look.A-Frame roofs are one of the basic roof styles.Only one type of rafter is required for a-frames to be tall and symmetrical.The roofs are Gabled.A gable is a section of the roof that is parallel to the wall.The roofs are man-made.The mansard roof slopes in such a way as to allow for living space in the area of the roof by including an extra joint in each rafter.There are roofs.A large number of rafters must be constructed of variable sizes to account for the slope of the roofs.
Step 2: The design of the roofing trusses is up to you.
The design of the structural foundation of a roof and the actual components of that roof are referred to as the framing style.Depending on the style of roof you've chosen, you can have some wiggle-room.Some of the most common home building designs are discussed below.The basic rafter, joists and jack supports make up the Fink trusses.You can either get them manufactured off-site or build them yourself.They can be made with "room in attic" cut-aways to allow for living space among the rafters.There is a vaulted ceiling in the center of the rafter.A windowed-wall along the roof can be built with one joist extending beyond the rest of the rafter.
Step 3: Understand the different ways to measure.
If you're going to cut your own rafters, or hire out a contractor to do it, the most important step in the process is measuring them correctly and calculating the size of the rafters that will be necessary for the home that you are building.Rafters require careful planning to pull off.Run of each rafter in feet.The total length of the rafter is measured.The width of the house will be determined by the number of rafters and how long the run is.Rise in your feet.The rise is the height from the bottom of the roof segments to the topmost point.This is the total height of the roof.The pitch is in inches.The amount of the roof's slope is usually given as a fraction.The roof will rise 7 inches every foot if the pitch is 7/12.The rafter segment length is in feet.The lumber for the run, the diagonal, and the sloping sections of the trusses need to be calculated after you have determined the previous measurement.The geometry of the previous measurements will affect this.
Step 4: You can use a construction calculator to figure out the measurement of each rafter.
The Pythagorean formula is used in a construction calculator to quickly calculate the angles of right triangles.If you want, you can do it by hand, but roofers use construction calculator to do this quickly and accurately.To calculate the "adjusted" run, you'll need to subtract the width of the ridge beam, which is the center beam in the roof segment, from the pitch.Divide the adjusted run by two to get the actual length of each run, which is the longer of the two sides that make up the triangle.Pressing the "Run" button on the construction calculator will program the number in for further calculations.You should have already calculated the pitch of the roof for your design.The calculator will give you all the information you need: the diagonal segments, the interior measurement of the rise cuts, and so on.
Step 5: Determine how many rafters you need.
Every two feet along the walls is the minimum requirement for most load-bearing requirements.You can divide the total length by two to figure out how many trusses will be required.More complex roof designs will have to account for this.
Step 6: Consider ordering pre-fab trusses that are in line with the specifications.
Most home builders will contract out the actual construction of the rafters by supplying the measurements necessary and having them delivered, or by providing the architectural design plan and getting the trusses appropriate.Load bearing specifications will vary from design to design, making it difficult for a weekender.If you want, you can raise the roof yourself and save money.If you want to take on the design and construction of the rafter segments, the next section outlines the necessary cuts.If you're hiring out the construction of your house, ordering pre-fab trusses helps to keep the cost down, and material waste to a minimum.You don't have to pay for the time of the laborers or the materials that go into it.It's nearly universal to buy the trusses pre-made.
Step 7: You should buy more lumber than you need.
To account for the support necessary, dense softwoods like yellow pine or fir are preferable.You will need a lot of it.You should be able to calculate the rough amount of lumber you need for the project after you've done the measurement.To keep the weight light, 2X4 inch (5 cm x 10 cm) nominal boards are suitable, as long as the bracing and the member connections are accurate.It is possible that denser lumber is required for larger roofs.It's essential to get high-quality straight-grained boards that are very dense, well-seasoned, and straight as arrows.The lumber for a roof must be top-notch.When selecting lumber, avoid splitting, knots, and barked edges.
Step 8: Measure and cut.
You don't have to worry about marking your seat cuts because you can leave at least a foot of extra length on each end.Measure out the individual sections of rafter and keep them in separate piles.You can use a circular saw.The ridge beam can be cut to size.Measure the height above-plate and mark it on the ridge when cutting the center board that conjoins both sides of the truss.It's important that you account for the width of the wood from the rafter when measuring the ridge joint.You don't need to trim the lumber if it's already more or less cut to size.Make the seat cuts to fit them together and trim them as necessary.
Step 9: Take the plumb cut and measure it out.
The cuts on the pitch-end of the diagonal chord are called plumb cuts.The rise you've calculated will affect the angle of the cuts on the rafters.To measure out your cuts, you'll need a pencil, a framing square, and a stair gauge.We'll use 7/12 for reference, throughout, if you input the pitch of the roof that you calculated above.Line up the stair gauge at the point on the square where you want to input the 12 and 7.Use a pencil to mark the line up the square.It gives the board a nice edge to grip the measuring tape, so some carpenters like to make this cut before making the seat cuts.Some carpenters prefer to make all the cuts at the same time.It's up to you.
Step 10: Measure the seat cuts.
Seat cuts are made on the end of the diagonal rafter chords.If you're working from scratch, seat cuts need to be made to fit the individual runs onto the wall caps, leaving some length on the end to extend past the walls and create an overhang.The horizontal line is where the wall will meet the rafter.The carpenter's calculator can be used to calculate this quickly.To align the square on the other side of the board, line it up with the plumb line and then turn it 180 degrees, leaving at least 1.5 or 2 inches of bracing for the top edge above the seat cut.Since you have the square on the end of the board, some carpenters like to measure the rafter overhang.Depending on the design, that usually involves making two cuts to the end of the board, leaving about 6 inches of overhang beyond the seat cut.
Step 11: Measure your bracing joints.
The number of bracing joints will depend on the design of the trusses you're making.A super-basic A-frame roof will require between 4 and 8 plumb cuts for each angle in the brace, depending on the size of the rafters.There is a principle of thirds.To determine where the braces need to go, you can divide the bottom run by three and measure out the distance across the run.You can mark the center point by writing it on a piece of paper.This is a very basic method of bracing.More complex bracing calculations are required.
Step 12: You have to make your cuts.
After you've measured out the necessary cuts for the individual segments, you can use a table saw or circular saw to make the most accurate cuts.You can fit the rafter joints if you clean up the ends.Some carpenters prefer to work from rafter-to-rafter, making complete ones and moving on to the next project.It's up to you.
Step 13: Set each rafter.
To secure both sections of wood, nail the members of the individual trusses together with nails long enough to not stick out the other side.The joints should be secured with metal bracing at each intersection.The rafters can also be reinforced with gusset or truss-plates.To keep rafters level and out of the way, stack them on top of each other on a tarp.It's important that you care for your rafters in the meantime, especially in wet conditions, because this process will likely take a couple of days.
Step 14: If necessary, secure the ridge board by bracing it.
It's important to place the ridge board across the width of the walls to rest the center point of each truss.Each rafter will be braced in the center with a long lumber assembly.It might be necessary to brace it underneath.Supplementary ridge boards should be installed along the walls to provide extra surface on which to secure the trusses.
Step 15: Attach cap plates for each rafter.
A rafter needs to be placed every two feet for maximum load-bearing support and security.The metal braces on the cap plates secure the trusses to the walls.It's always a good idea to use caps if you've made seat cuts.Put them in place according to your measurements.
Step 16: Swing the rafters up into place by resting them upside down on the wall plates.
When you're ready to place a rafter, secure each end upside down on the wall, using at least three or four helpers to support the weight on ladders.You can swing each rafter up into place by attaching a rope to the pitch and pulling it up from the ground.Several other people are needed to negotiate the process correctly.
Step 17: Set and brace each rafter.
Check the placement of the run joists with a carpenter's level.For larger or commercial construction projects, bottom supports may be necessary.Attach your end braces to the second gable truss along the peak when you have a few trusses in place.Keeping everything level and plumb will be aided by this.
Step 18: If necessary, install sub-fascia boards.
The wall is connected to the end of the rafter by sub-fascia boards.Many carpenters will use these for aesthetic purposes.If you have a carpenter's level, you can draw a level line to the bottom of the first rafter tail.If you didn't cut the rafters originally, you can mark the bottom of the rafter tails with a straight line and use a circular saw to trim them.Cut and nail the plywood to the rafters to make up for the overhang.
Step 19: The roof should be installed.
After bracing and installing all the rafters, you're ready to start installing a layer of roof sheathing, which is basically just plywood, over which the weather stripping and shingles will be installed.Depending on the shape of the roof, the amount will be different.The roof will be strong if the first pieces on either end are set along the bottom of the trusses.