When you create a hip roof in a timber frame, there are different types of rafters used. The hip rafters (in purple) form the roofline and extend from the plate to the ridge. The jack rafters (in turquoise) connect
Jack Rafter To Hip Read More »
Often in larger structures and barns you may need to split your rafters in two due to the overall length of the building. To accomplish this and create a strong member you can use a rafter scarf joint; in this
Rafter Scarf Joint Read More »
This joint has become one of my favorite ways to join a principal rafter to a post. It offers a clean look and allows a plate to join to the post with a spline and a tie beam that can
Post to Principal Rafter Read More »
More likely than not, the joinery in the roof system of a timber frame is often loaded with tension and so special consideration is needed to make sure everything is held together. In this detail we show a collar tie to rafter connection in two
Collar Tie to Rafter Connection Read More »
When two roofs collide in timber frame construction you have the chance to add a really cool element to your frame, compound joinery. In this detail we show a jack rafter joining with a valley. The rafter is housed into
Jack Rafter to Valley Connection Read More »
Just like last month’s detail this one relies on a conventionally framed wall to support a timber frame rafter, it can also be used to rest a beam on as well. To create the timber frame rafter wall pocket, you nail
Timber Frame Rafter Wall Pocket Read More »
Every so often timber framers find themselves needing to lengthen a timber for a post or a rafter and for this they need a special type of scarf joint – a post or rafter scarf joint. The one seen here
Post or Rafter Scarf Joint Read More »
This rafter to post with tenon connection is a popular way to join a timber frame rafter to a post and is easy to cut and assemble. The rafter has a tenon which is fully housed by at least an inch into
Rafter to Post with Tenon Connection Read More »
Often folks want to add a bit of style to their roof line by adding another roof pitch to the equation, called a witches hat roof, it incorporates a witches hat rafter (also called a broke back rafter) to achieve this look. This
Witches Hat Rafter Detail Read More »
Using a ledger, a post and plate system along with shed common rafters is a fast and effective way to construct an exterior porch or storage area. In this shed rafter detail, the 4×8 rafters are housed into the upper
Shed Rafter Detail Read More »