Carpentry & Building Construction

Chapter 17: Basic Roof Framing

Chapter Summaries

Section 17.1 Planning a Roof
Planning a roof calls for an understanding of architectural styles, as well as how the individual pieces are assembled. A roof plan must be developed before any framing can begin.

Section 17.2 Roof Framing with Common Rafters
There are four basic methods for laying out the cuts required for a common rafter. They include the Pythagorean theorem method, the unit length method, the step-off method, and the calculator method.

Section 17.3 Ceiling Framing
Ceiling framing is much like floor framing. However, it is often considered to be a part of roof framing.

Section 17.4 Roof Trusses
Roof trusses are strong, efficient, and less costly than traditional framing. Common shapes include the Fink (W-truss), the king-post, and the scissors. Design of a truss depends on the loads it must carry and the weight and slope of the roof. Each truss should be solidly braced immediately after being lifted into place.