Roof Framing Members

Stick truss roof framing.

Roof framing members.

Here is a closer look at common roofing terms. Rafters vary in depth depending on their length the distance they are spaced apart their slope and the kind of roof covering to be used. Below we give the locations and functions of various roof framing members rafter types collar ties rafter ties ceiling joists and structural ridge beams. Rafters are inclined members spaced from 16 to 48 inches apart.

They do for the roof what the joists do for the floor and what the studs do for the wall. A composite decking made of solid materials it resembles real wood and particularly strong and stable for bearing heavy load. Strutting beams support the roof members where there are no load bearing wall studs available. The members making up the main body of the framework of all roofs are called rafters.

It is a waterproofing layer made of regular felt stacked above the solid. They vary in size depending on their length and spacing. Rafters serve the same purpose in the roof as joists in the fl oor or studs in the wall. Stick framed roofs utilize individual rafters that span from the top of exterior walls to the ridge.

Roof framing depends on the type of roof you want to build. Standard stick framing or the newer truss framing. The gable roof hip roof gambrel roof flat roof shed roof mansard roof and many more custom roof types. As you can see in the illustration below roofs have hip rafters ridge boards jack rafters and more.

They are usually spaced 16 or 24 apart. Nearly all roofs are framed using one of two methods. When working on a roof it pays to be familiar with these terms. They transfer the load of the roof to load bearing walls.

We ll start with a conventionally framed roof in which individual roof framing members are cut and assembled on site. The tops of the inclined. You ll be evaluating the roof framing from inside the attic space but we have an advantage in technology. Roof framing involves a lexicon all its own.

There are several roof types. The roof framing is the structure that supports your roof. Overhangs hips and dormers add greatly to the complexity of the framing. Parts of a roof the main structural parts of a roof are ceiling joists ridge board jack rafter hip rafter common rafters creeper rafters raking plates out riggers and noggings or last rafter overhang.

A rafteris an inclined member of the roof framework. Tie down fixings tie down fixings are used to resist uplift and shear forces lateral loads in floor framing wall framing and roof framing. Strutting beams should only support roof loads and not be used as ceiling joists.