How To Measure And Cut Roof Rafters

Ability to read a tape measure ruler.

How to measure and cut roof rafters.

Creating a birdsmouth cut is the classic way to prepare a rafter for a hand cut gable or shed roof. Cutting the remaining rafters. 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. In this first installment we ll start with roof framing.

There is no standard spacing it depends on what size of rafters you want to use and the span of your shed. Once you located where the mark falls on the 2 x 10 measure the distance and be sure to add 10 for the overhang. Demonstrate the basics on calculating laying out and cutting a common rafter for either a full gable roof or for a shed roof on a porch or small addition. Make the final decorative edge cut using a template as before with a saw touch the end up with paint and set in place.

All roof rafters should be identical so follow the same steps to measure the plumb cut tail cut and birdsmouth cut. At this point you ve cut 1 roof rafter. A seat cut is a horizontally level cut so the rafter can sit flat onto the wall plate. Depending on the size of your structure you will need to cut several or many more.

Cut one end of each 2 x 8 rafter to get the necessary length desired. Repeat the process for your other rafters. Use the template you completed in step iii to map out the rest of the rafters you ll need for the entire roof. A birds mouth is a combination of the two cuts made so the roof rafter sits tightly onto the wall plates square edge.

Use it to make the proper measurements marks and cuts on each rafter. Familiarity with using a speed square. Once you ve marked all of your rafters you can complete all of the cuts in each rafter one after the other which will help you to save time.