Basic Rafter Cuts

$Carpentry Math$

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Basic Rafter Cuts

The same three basic rafter cuts are used on common, jack, valley, and hip rafters.

Plumb cuts represent the vertical or straight up and down cuts once the rafter is placed in position. It is used on the top, tail, and bird's mouth.

Level cut refers to the horizontal line after the rafter is set in place. It is used on the bird's mouth and tail cuts.

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Bevel cuts also known as side or cheek cuts are used on the top of valley or hip rafters where they meet a ridge board and on jack rafters.

Common Rafters

The only cuts used on a common rafter are the plumb and level.

Common Rafter Cuts

Valley and Hip Rafters

Hip and valley rafters are laid out and cut in the same manner. They both have a single or double beveled plumb cut where they meet the ridge board and a bird's mouth where they sit on the inside or outside wall corners.

Beveled Rafter Cuts

Jack Rafters

Hip jack rafters have a bird's mouth, tail, and beveled plumb cut where they meet the hip rafter.

Valley jack rafters have a square top plumb cut for the ridge board and a bottom beveled plumb cut for where they meet the valley rafter.

Cripple jack rafters have a top and bottom beveled plumb cut for where they meet the hip and valley rafters.

Location of Rafter Cuts

Links to Related Pages

Rafter Cuts to Home Page

Roof Framing

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