Framing

Assembling parts on the ground and cutting the roof at the last minute provide a low-stress route to a high-value project by Rick Arnold

Measure from the rafter's bottom edge for exact layout by John Carroll

Bolted between rafters, an angled steel flitch plate can eliminate the need for rafter ties in cathedral ceilings by Michael Chandler

by Mike Guertin

Factory-made trusses save time and give you a roof engineered for strength and stability by Larry Haun

Laying out a common rafter by Jim Anderson

Do the math on a calculator so that you can concentrate on what's important: getting the rafters right by Rick Arnold

Guidelines for working efficiently and knowing how good is good enough by Larry Haun

Tips from a custom framer make the engineered-lumber learning curve easier to negotiate by John Spier

If doghouse dormers or shed dormers aren't dressy enough, A-dormers can add an exciting design note, and they're easier to seal against the elements by John Spier

Adding timber-frame elements to a stick-frame house makes economic and aesthetic sense by Anthony Zaya

Rafters are the most basic element to a gable roof, so measure and lay them out carefully to make your roof look like it grew there by John Spier

Site-built trusses are a speedy way to frame this traditional barn-shaped roof by Joe Stanton

by Mike Guertin