Roof Framing
 
Roof framings are not everyone’s cup of tea. Normally it is seen that it requires some carpeting skills to achieve those roof designs. In present time these roof frames are normally constructed as per the house or building size at a factory and delivered to site. There are basically 5 types of roofs:
  • Shed
  • Gable
  • Hip
  • Gambrel
  • Mansard
Saltbox which is a gable roof with one longer side is popular in Northeast. Recently roofs with a lot of valley, dormers and other features can be seen getting popular. Pre constructed trusses are getting popular. These require extra manpower for installation. On the other hand, simple roofs as sheds can be easily constructed by a layman even without plans.
 
Roof Framing Styles
 
Shed Roofs
 
Also known as simple span roof, a shed roof has only one plane. These are very popular in expensive houses as well as barnyard structures. Shed roofs can be practically any pitch, as long as the rafters span from wall to wall. The weight of the roof rests on the upper and lower slope walls and rafters must be strong enough to carry the load of the roofing shingles and additional snow load if applicable. Shed roofs have eaves at the bottom edge and rakes, which are the sloping side edges.
 
Gable Roofs
 
In a gable roof two sloped planes meet at the ridge (highest point of the roof). Gables have both eaves and rakes. Its pitch can be low or steep. Pitch is decided by the amount of roof plane rises over the span of 12 ft. Gable roofs can cross on “L” shaped houses or can form gable dormers on a gable, shed or hip roof plane.
 
Hip Roofs
In a hip roof, the two sloping planes meet in the outside corner of the roof. A hip roof ridge has a shorter length and a triangular plane slopes down forming side of the roof at the end of the ridge.
Due to this hip roofs have eaves on all four sides. To customize the hip style roof the roof ridge can be extended or shortened. At the ends of the roof ridge hip rafters form the wishbone like frame.
 
Flat Roofs
 
Flat roofs are also known as low slopes roofs and are not 100% flat. A slope of ¼ inch per foot is needed in these roofs to enable water to drain. It is similar to framing a floor. The rafters are beams that provide supports for the space below. On the top of one wall plate furring is added to make a gentle slope using standard dimensional lumber. It can have all rafters in one direction or
Multiple configurations, requiring engineered header joists at transitions points.
 
Trusses vs. Stick Framing
 
Stick framing can form any type of roof style. In this type of framing one need to measure, cut and fix each rafter individually.
On the other hand, trusses are premade structures from a truss manufacturing company to fit a particular structure and should be installed as per strict specifications. Using trusses is time and money saving on complicated roofs but they cannot be later modified if the house needs to be remodeled.


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