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Building a Shed Roof

Bob talks with lead framing carpenter Dan Enright as he and his crew work on the shed roof over the kitchen/family room area. What complicates the job is that the shed roof ends at the corner in a hip. This means the hip rafter will determine the lengths of all the different final rafters. Dan explains how using a speed square he can determine his top cut – a four-twelve on a 45-degree angle and his "bird-mouth" cut at the other end of the rafter where it sits on the sill plate of the outside wall. Bob points out that when framing a hip it's important to alternately counter a rafter from one side with one from the other to prevent bowing out the hip rafter. With the rafters in place, it's just a matter of adding OSB sheathing and the roof is on. More information