Replies

1. 
   Dan_Metzcus | Nov 20, 2000 12:59am | #1

   *
   FHB #119 pg. 77 - Is this what you are trying to achieve? I am not quite sure from your explanation but hope this helps.

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Nov 20, 2000 01:12am | #2

   *Curved rafters are very popular in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan as well as in Asian shopping malls in NA. I've seen books on the construction techniques in our local ROC library and at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto. Where are you and I'll see if I have a listing for a Chinese Cultural Centre of the T.E.C.O. near you and their website.

1. 
   jlazaro317_ | Nov 20, 2000 04:38pm | #3

   *I'm located in Indianapolis, IN. The curved rafters or tails are catching on in some of the middle to high end custom homes around here and I've seen how some are done but I'm always looking for the best way. I'll check out my issue of FHB as mentioned in the previous post when I get home.Thanks,John Lazaro

1. 
   Mad_Dog | Nov 20, 2000 04:53pm | #4

   *Are you talking about a catslide roof? You can achieve this by bending thin layers of plywood. This could be done with trusses or rafter/lookout combinations.

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Nov 20, 2000 05:56pm | #5

   *Probably Chicago http://www.chicago.ocac.net they may be a bit far away. I've never been on that site, hopefully it has a library/book link.

2. 
   Mongo_ | Nov 20, 2000 06:42pm | #6

   *Techniques vary depending n the desired finished result.Do you want a curved, possibly laminated exposed rafter and tail? This is what you see on many Asian-influenced structures.Or do you want a captured or wrapped rafter, covered with soffit/facia/rake trim, and simply have a slight "kick" at the edge of the roof?The latter is much easier and more common in Western and European Alpine construction.

3. 
   jlazaro317_ | Nov 21, 2000 03:55am | #7

   *Sounds like I'm looking for the wrapped rafter. I'm just looking for the little "swoop" at the end and I don't know what style of architecture to call it. It's not Asian even though it may have Asian influence. I'd almost venture to call it French country even though I may be way off base. Hey, I'm no architect. And I have seen it sheathed with thin layers of plywood but I'm interested in knowing the best way to frame it.

4. 
   David_Dansky | Nov 21, 2000 04:47am | #8

   *I dont know how much kick you are looking for but we call it a bell. the pitch on the rafter simples changes when the rafter hits the plate, to the overhang. It give the roof a curved look. You simply scab on a new tail at the lower pitch. It is somewhat country french. It is also very help to tie different pitchs together as you come around a corner.David

5. 
   Zap_Gash | Nov 22, 2000 05:33am | #9

   *You saw the 'curved rafters' in a back issue of FHB. If my memory is correct, it was the cover shot and entailed scabbing a new tail to the standard straight rafter, at the min. pitch you want, then cutting arcs in 5/8 ply making templates for your transition, depending on how much curve you want. The final layer could be 2x 1/4 " or kerfed 1/2/5/8. This technique gives the edge of the roof a gentle curve above the eave. I believe the issue was about 3 years ago??, goto a library and browse by covers, you cant miss it.ZG

6. 
   jlazaro317_ | Nov 22, 2000 10:54pm | #10

   *I found it as suggested earlier in FHB 119 pg 77 they show how they did it on the house they were sheathing the roof. And the method used there looked pretty good and it looks like the bell could be adjusted just by changing the overhang. I wouldn't want to decrease the stand of the rafter to get more angle.Thanks,John

7. 
   blue_eyed_devil_ | Nov 23, 2000 12:47am | #11

   *John, I do quite a few of curved roofs on bays. Usually, I simply carve them out of a 2x10 or 2x12.For the "bell" I would simly scab on something simlar on top and scab some ply on each side to keep it there. I find sheathing it quite easy with 1x boards. Often I use 1x3 that is shipped out for bridging (which I don't install unless special requested). 1x4 works good too. If the curve is gentle 1x6 works fine.blue

8. 
   jlazaro317_ | Nov 27, 2000 06:36pm | #12

   *I thought about carving out the rafters which I've seen done on a short span (ie. dormer or bay) but with a longer span I think scabbing on a tail with a different pitch and wider overhang with some sleepers to ease the transition would be the best(thoughts?). And after all I'm not doing the whole house just some accents on a front gable.Do you think that sheathing with the 1X would be better than say double layering some 1/4" or 3/8"?John

9. 
   blue_eyed_devil_ | Nov 28, 2000 02:08am | #13

   *I like the 1x board method because it's fast and strong. The one troublesome detail would be to make it plane with the main roof sheathing. Usually, that doesn't pose any unsurmountable problems however.Double layers = double work.blue

2. 
   jlazaro317_ | Nov 28, 2000 02:08am | #14

   *
   Has FHB done an article on building curved or concave rafters? I don't know how to describe them other by saying the rafters that the tails curve upward and decrease pitch that are sometimes seen on a gable on some older homes and are now being imitated on some newer custom homes.
   I vaguely remember seeing an article on the topic....or maybe dreamed it. Or is there a good source for the design of such.
   Thanks,
   jlazaro