Flat Roof Rafter Tails

Before manufactured trusses the simplest roof construction involved extending exposed rafter tails beyond the walls of the house.

Flat roof rafter tails. Repeat the process for your other rafters. Trusses streamline construction but it s important when using them to make sure the resulting eave works with the design of your building. A chalk line snapped between those marks aligns the plumb cuts on the tails perfectly. Then the plumb cut is measured and marked on the first and last rafters.

Rafter tails a gable roof is framed with rafters that run diagonally from the peak of the roof down to the tops of the exterior walls of the building. When rafter tails the ends that often extend beyond the roofline are damaged they can be repaired through a process with the delightfully descriptive name scabbing. Rain and snow are the enemies of a roof. Rotted wood rafters in a roof are a serious issue.

Other roof protrustions sothat notiiing obstructs tiieflow ofair from eave to ridge. Cold roof insulation between rafters wnapor barrier on warm side below orw sheatiiing roofing roofing 2 x 8 sleepers notched for vent aligned wi rafters flashing over rooang fascia sheatiiing 2 x 4 sleepers aligned w rafters provide. 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. Rafter tails are installed long.

The lower ends of the rafters usually extend. Go back and check out photograph 10. All roof rafters should be identical so follow the same steps to measure the plumb cut tail cut and birdsmouth cut. Attach the horizontal beam by using a nail gun.

After that to make it flush with the roof of the existing house cut the two outer rafters. Wood rotting from the inside out compromises the structural integrity of the rafter. As years of wear and tear create small cracks particularly at the lower edges of the roof line where snow weight accumulates and moisture pools moisture can seep through to the rafters beneath the roofing and begin to rot. Depending on the size of your structure you will need to cut several or many more.

Cutting the rafter tails from above causes the kerf to open naturally as you cut and it lets the waste fall away harmlessly. At this point you ve cut 1 roof rafter. If your project had a rafter length of 8 or less a safe and strong method is to use 2x8 framed 16 on center. Now you can begin assembling the outer rafters and attaching the rafter beam to the edge of the roof of the house.

This was then foamed to complete the air seal.