Laying Out a Common Rafter

Laying out a common rafter

Laying out hip, valley, and jack rafters takes experience and skill, but if you're building a simple gable or shed roof, common rafters are all you'll need. This article will teach you how to make them for your custom project. Learn how to determine the pitch of the roof, lay out plumb and seat cuts, and use star gauges to reduce the chances of error. All you'll need is a square, a pencil, a saw.