DECORATIVE RAFTER TAIL DESIGNS HOW TO
DECORATIVE RAFTER TAIL DESIGNS PROFESSIONAL

Line: the 'hypotenuse' of the triangle, as in the diagonal distance from the outer wall to the center of the ridge along the rafter.

Rise: the height of the roof ridge from the center of the span.Span: the length between the outside supporting walls.

Know Your Measurementsīefore you cut anything, you need the span, rise, run, and line length of your roof frame. To build a roof rafter, gather the following materials equipment: Collar ties mainly come into play where codes require improved ridge strength, such as in high-wind climates. Although they run parallel to the rafter ties, they sit towards the upper-third of the rafter to resist separation at the ridge – not the walls. Some applications call for collar ties, often confused for rafter ties. A ridge beam can eliminate the need for rafter ties, which is often paramount for the cathedral ceiling aesthetic. For roofs with less than 3:12 pitch, codes require ridge beams because they reduce the extreme outward forces on the walls. Some framing systems use a ridge beam combined with gable-end posts instead of a ridge board, which provides structural support to the rafters. Rafter ties, which often double as ceiling joists, prevent these horizontal forces from causing the walls to 'pancake.' Ridge Beam As the rafters sit on top of the wall plates at an angle, they exert horizontal forces on the exterior walls. The rafter tie resists the outward forces imposed on the load-bearing walls. The ridge board serves as a nailing surface for the opposing rafters and provides no structural support. The rafters are the diagonal members that directly support the roof deck. Roof Framing: Key Terms and Definitions Rafters This article provides step-by-step instructions for measuring, cutting, and erecting basic gable roof rafters.Ī singular rafter frame typically includes three components: However, building rafters for basic types of roofs like a gable or shed is relatively straightforward with some geometry and carpentry know-how. The roof framing process can get complicated for the uninitiated when it comes to complex roof shapes like the hip, mansard, and gambrel. Rafters also allow for maximum attic space once the structure is finished. Furthermore, individual framing members weigh less than fully built trusses, which means you need less muscle for the job.

DECORATIVE RAFTER TAIL DESIGNS PROFESSIONAL

Experiment with different patterns to see what looks best your particular project.Įditor’s Note: Mark Clement is a professional contractor and co-host of the MyFixItUpLife radio show.Rafters can save you on delivery costs and require minimal space for assembly. The choices in pattern design are limited only by the size of the wood and your imagination. Lots of notches and detail can add a sense of ornate elegance to a rafter tail design, while simpler geometric patterns give them a more basic, streamlined appearance. The only down side is a jigsaw cuts much more slowly.Īfter cleaning up the cut edges of the tails with a sander, use your completed rafter as a pattern template to trace a matching profile on all the other rafters of your project. The thin blade of a jigsaw can follow the curved path of your swoop, and its straight-cutting action can finish the incomplete cuts that the round blade of a circ saw leaves behind. A Speed Square makes a handy guide to keep cut marks square.Ĭlement suggests you save time cutting by using a handheld circ saw on all straight cuts. screws partially driven into the lumber on each side of the metal strip to hold its arched position as you mark the cutline.Īccentuate the swoop design with notches and angles. Use treated lumber for outdoor projects or a wood species such as redwood that has natural preservatives.Ī neat trick for making a decorative swoop on a rafter tail is to use a straight strip of sheet metal as a cutting guide.

The broader the face of the board, the more material you have to incorporate the swoops and notches that comprise the rafter-tail pattern. For both a sense of visual balance and structural strength, these framing members are generally made from large boards measuring 2×8 or wider. Rafter tails generally dress up large outdoor structures. With a few basic carpentry tools and an eye for creativity, you can create a design that puts a personal stamp on your next outdoor building project. With a limitless array of patterns, these stylistic enhancements to the ends of a beam or rafter can give a unique look to a pergola, a rose arbor, a trellis or covered patio.

DECORATIVE RAFTER TAIL DESIGNS HOW TO

Alternative Heating & Fireplace Insertsĭress up your rafters with a decorative tail patternĪt the recent Remodeling Show/ Deck Expo in Baltimore, Maryland, the EHT staff caught up with our friend Mark Clement, who was giving a demonstration on how to cut decorative rafter tails.

Decorative rafter tail designs