Strengthening Roof Rafters

If you re framing a gable roof on a new house or building a shed or even a doghouse with a gable roof you ll need to cut a number of roof rafters.

Strengthening roof rafters.

Before you cut your boards you ll need to measure the width of your building and calculate the exact length of each rafter. If you are building trusses it is easy to make part of the roof into a cantilevered extension. You can strengthen the roof to prevent damage by adding braces to the roof rafters inside your attic. If your roof is strong enough it can extend beyond the support walls without external bracing.

Use a circular saw to cut two sets of new rafters from the same size wood by the same dimensions. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. Take 2 6x4 as long as your longest stored lumber and cut 2 inch deep grooves in them as wide as your 2x6 is thick every foot or so. Use your tape measure to record the distance of both rafter legs.

Drive the remaining carriage bolts into the two by six rafter and tighten them all up. Then lower the jack down a little at a time so that the metal can take the weight of the roof. Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface. Measure the thickness width and length of the rafters in your home and purchase one piece of framing lumber of.

How to strengthen roof rafters for snow step 1. Repeat the process for the joist beneath your old roof rafter. Carry the cut lumber and framing supplies into the attic. Install these over your existing horizontal 2x6s 2 feet from the roof edge inside and paralel to the roof ends crosswise from your existing 2x6.

A cantilever is any structure such as a roof or floor overhang that is braced internally. Just make one of the rafter members extend beyond the cross tie.