How To Attach Roof Rafters To Ridge Board

A ridge board was not always required and the photo above of the attic in a 1920s era house shows a roof framed without one.

How to attach roof rafters to ridge board.

For 2 x 6 rafters use a 2 x 8 ridge board and so on. They work just as well to connect rafters to top plates. Choose a ridge board that is one size larger than your common rafters. Lift the ridge board to the roof and slide it between the rafter ends on each end from the bottom.

The top portion of the rater was still in contact but by the bottom of the edge where the rafter abuts the ridge board a full one inch gap was present. Where rafter connections will not be visible rafters can be spliced together end to end with board lumber gusset plates to do this butt the ends of the rafters together over a supporting beam. For 2 x 4 rafters use a 2 x 6 ridge board. The rafters on the rear side of a steeply pitched roof were separating from the ridge board.

Before you cut your boards you ll need to measure the width of your building and calculate the exact length of each rafter. Remove the braces you made for the ridge board. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. Once out of the way you can go ahead and install connectors on the ridge board.

The ridge board s length will be the outside measurement of the building plus the length of the overhang at both ends. Secure each end with one nail on each side. A ridge beam carries the loads of the rafters connected to it and must be both strong enough to carry the weight and well supported at the bearing points at each end to transfer the loads down to the ground. Condition was only present on the rear.

These connectors attach to the lip of the top plate with galvanized nails through predrilled holes. They work especially well with a lean to shed. As the name suggests these handy connectors are typically used to attach rafters to the ridge beam at the peak of your roof. I would suggest you install the rafters in pairs.

Check the ridge board to make sure it is level and the end rafters are still plumb then add a second nail to each birdsmouth and ridge board connection. How to attach rafters beam october 7 2016 by arfan leave a comment rafter attachment at gable wall structural inspections construction concerns i joists as rafters fire roofing construction close up on wooden rafters eaves ridge rafter connector ceiling joist and rafter framing details home owners.