Building a roof frame with rafters is known as stick framing. This means that each rafter is built on the job site using dimensional lumber. Every piece is measured, cut, and fastened together to form the rafter. The stick framing process is labor-intensive.
Common rafters without collar beams form most of this roof. There is not always a ridge board or beam where the rafter tops meet. Under the midsections of the rafters are purlins which support the common rafters and are supported by principal rafters. This roof ends in an octagonal hip.
Rafters are individual angled beams, typically 2 by 6 feet or larger, that run from the roof's peak (ridge board) down to the outer walls (wall plate). They provide direct support for the roof deck (plywood or sheathing) and materials above, essentially holding up the entire roofing system.
In construction, rafters are the backbone of a sloped roof. They form part of the framework that supports roofing materials such as tiles, shingles, or metal sheets. Rafters run diagonally from the top ridge beam down to the eaves, creating the basic shape of the roof.
Rafters are long, angled wooden beams cut and assembled on-site to form the roof’s frame. Often referred to as “stick framing,” this method has been used for centuries and remains popular in custom-built homes.
Roof framing basics: what is a rafter? A singular rafter frame typically includes three components: The rafters are the diagonal members that directly support the roof deck. The ridge board serves as a nailing surface for the opposing rafters and provides no structural support.