Hip Roof Rafter Construction

Weather you re building a shed roof or adding a dormer to your second story it is important to choose the proper size rafter.

Hip roof rafter construction. The hip roof framing calculator returns the value of the main rafter the side rafter the length of the hip the height of the knee wall and the lengths of the jack rafters. If you are using a stanley quick square move the blade to the corresponding notch for the hip rafter. The first step in the process of erecting the hip roof is to get the ridge beam into place at the top of the roof. The area where one section of roof meets other section is considered as the hip and the hip roof generally has very uniform angles without any vertical end.

Attach 4 6 centering rafters and lift the ridge beam into place. This sizing guide for roof rafters will help determine what you need for your small project. Http amzn to 2sfscbz swanson speed square http amzn to 2svgnvt 16 x 24 framing square starrett http amzn to 2sflm5v milwaukee circular saw http amzn. Hip backing angle 15 4 for a good straight fascia add an extra inch or 2 to the tails of all your rafters total length.

It is the strongest type of roof because it is braced by four hip rafters. Rick arnold frequent contributor to fine homebuilding and the journal of light construction presenter at jlc live the katz roadshow the remodeling show. Span for the main rafters measure from outside of wall to outside of wall. After they re up you can snap a line to mark and trim the tails in a nice straight line to make up for any ridge warp or marking cutting and fixing errors.

The hip roof has four sloping sides. Hip roofs are constructed with four rafters that usually meet on a ridge board that is situated at the middle portion of the roof. The hip rafter plumb cut is a different angle to a common rafter plumb cut. Place the 4 6 common rafters in their designated positions along the 2 longest walls and nail them firmly to the wall with a nail gun.

They must must be on the same level. These hip rafters run at a 45 angle from each corner of the building to the ridge. Also it has to be cut to form a point so to cut a hip raffter plumb cut you need to set the circular saw over so it will cut 45. A disadvantage of the hip roof is that it is more difficult to construct than a gable roof.

See saw miter and blade angle settings. Hip roof framing rafter cut angle template diagram if using a circular saw or compound miter saw set saw bevel angle to 45 to obtain creeper and hip side angles. There are several variables to consider when determining the proper rafter size.