How To Cut And Measure Rafters For Roof

Print full scale rafter cut templates and birdsmouth templates fold template over rafter to mark or cut through.

How to cut and measure rafters for roof. Then use a measuring tape and measure from the furthest top point of your first cut. When you cut the rafters you ll need to make 3 separate cuts. The ridge cut also called the plumb cut at the top of the rafter the birdsmouth cut which itself comprises 2 different cuts where the rafter meets the building s wall and the tail cut at the base of the rafter. Because a roof requires many rafters to frame it speeds things along if you use the first rafter as a pattern or template for the other rafters.

Determine the camber along the timbers length. If they are not then click here for the unlevel wall rafter calculator. Rafter length does not include the rafter overhang. Use it to make the proper measurements marks and cuts on each rafter.

Use the number boxes to enter the value in feet inches and fraction inches and fraction. Refer to your plans to find the dimensions for the roof angle you are cutting. Use the square to place marks all the way across the board on the two points you just made. With the tape measure hooked onto the top end transfer your two rafter lengths onto.

Mark the plumb cuts. Marking out the roof rafter lengths onto the timber before cutting step 1. Angle overhang lay device on incline and hit start measuring to directly measure pitch. This must be from walls that are of equal heights.

This ensures you keep the cuts parallel. Using the miter saw simply slide the wood through after you make your first cut. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. Take a direct measurement of the width of the roof.

Before you can mark the rafter lengths and layout check the. Measure from the eve end of the rafter to the start of the vertical birdsmouth and place a mark. Adjust the framing square so that number 12 coincides with outer edge of the board. If the length of the cut is 5 3 then you ll be measuring only on one side from end to end.

Draw a line to join these number marks for creating a plumb cut. Cut one end of each 2 x 8 rafter to get the necessary length desired. As an example if the pitch is 7 12 coincide number seven with the inside edge of the board. Once you located where the mark falls on the 2 x 10 measure the distance and be sure to add 10 for the overhang.

Then measure further down the board to mark the end of the horizontal seat mark. To find the location of the rear lentil for the rafters use a framing square. Note that rafter length is measured from the tip of a plumb cut at the top end of the rafter ridge cut to the building line shown as a dotted red line in the section elevation below.