Rafter Construction & Roof Framing

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Rafter Construction & Roof Framing: What's Covered

This rafter construction and roof framing section covers rectangular gazebos ranging in size from 8 to 12 feet. (Although, the rafter construction and roof framing ideas discussed will also help those building rectangular gazebos under 8 feet or over 12 feet.) As you will see in this section, rafter construction and roof framing for gazebos with sides in increments of four (4', 8', 12'...) produces a symmetrical rafter layout that looks great when viewed from underneath and makes roof framing much simpler. 

Rafter Construction & Roof Framing: Uncluttered Vault

This section also shows you safe rafter construction and roof framing techniques that allow you to safely remove or significantly raise the ceiling joists so the inside roof framing is open and tall. Removing or raising ceiling joists means having to run some careful calculations since regular rafter construction span tables do NOT apply when the roof framing uses ceiling joists that are removed or raised. That's right. If your rafter construction and roof framing plans include raising or removing the interior ceiling joists, you can NOT size your rafters simply using the span tables found at local building yards.

Since each pair of rafters acts like a giant pair of scissors that tends to splay out the tops of the walls, it's important to get the roof framing right. The consequences of rafter construction and roof framing that fails to take into account these splaying roof forces can mean the catastrophic failure of the roof framing. As a result, since we recommend removing the ceiling joists on the hip roofs, we'll show you how to use hidden metal rods to reinforce your roof framing. For gable roof framing and rafter construction, we'll show you how to safely raise the ceiling joists by explaining how to make strong ceiling joist/collar tie connections.

Rafter Construction & Roof Framing: Step-by-Step

Naturally, a section on rafter construction and roof framing wouldn't be complete without step-by-step directions showing you how to layout, cut, and assemble the three different styles of roofs covered in this roof framing section. By the way, if some of the roof framing terms mentioned are unclear, don't worry. We've got lots of rafter construction pictures to help.

Roof framing takes a certain amount of forethought and finesse. This section shows you rafter construction and roof framing methods to ensure you don’t end up with a wavy roofline. We also discuss the relationship between roof pitch and overhang in terms of their effect on the size of fascia and trim boards so you end up with strong roof framing and rafter construction that looks good too!