What Is A Rafter In Constriction?
What Is A Rafter in Constriction?
A rafter is a beam that supports the roof of a building. It extends from the ridge or hip of the roof to the wall plate and is typically sloped to allow for the proper drainage of rainwater. A pair of rafters is called a couple.
In-home construction, rafters are typically made of wood and may be visible on the exterior of the building in some traditional roof styles. They help to support the weight of the roof deck, shingles, and other loads.
They are placed on top of the exterior walls and are connected to a ridge board that runs across the length of the building. Ceiling joists are then used to connect the rafters to the exterior walls, creating a vaulted ceiling.
Traditional rafters are usually made of 2 x 10 pieces of wood and are built on-site. They can be used to enclose the attic with insulation and drywall or left open to create an attic space.
Types Of Rafters
Several types of rafters can be used in roof construction. The principal rafters are the main structural members that run along the sides of the roof, while common rafters are more minor and run between the principal rafters.
Other types of rafters that may be used less frequently include auxiliary rafters, which are sometimes used to support principal rafters; hip rafters, which span from the building’s outside corners to the ridge board at a 45-degree angle.
Valley rafters, which are located at the building’s inside corners at a 45-degree angle; and compass rafters, which are curved at the top and bottom and are used for ornamentation. It is helpful to be familiar with these rafters, even if you don’t regularly use them in your projects.
Applications Of Rafters
Trussed rafters are commonly used in modern buildings due to their cost efficiency, ability to be manufactured off-site, and ease of construction. They are also favored for their design capabilities, including the ability to span long distances and support heavy loads on the roof.
What’s The Difference Between Rafters And Trusses?
Rafters and trusses are used to build roofs, but they have some key differences. Rafters are typically built on-site and involve laying wood boards in an A-frame shape to support the roof. On the other hand, trusses are built off-site in a factory and then delivered to the construction site.
Trusses use a web of support beams connected by tension and compression to distribute the roof’s weight.
Trusses are usually less expensive than rafters because they are made in bulk, but they can be more challenging to install since they require multiple people and often a forklift.
Additionally, trusses do not allow for the inclusion of a spacious attic or vaulted ceilings, as the bottom of the truss must provide structural support.
Advantages Of Rafters
Rafters offer several benefits when compared to truss roofs. They provide more space for attics or cathedral ceilings, and the upper area can be converted into additional living space.
Rafters also allow for insulation, which can be left as is or covered with drywall to improve energy efficiency. Furthermore, rafters are cut and adjusted on-site, which means they can be customized to fit the project’s specific needs and reduce lead time.
Additionally, using rafters can save costs on heavy-load deliveries as they do not require third-party factories for cutting and delivery. Overall, rafters are a reliable and flexible option for construction projects.
Disadvantages Of Rafters
There are some disadvantages to using rafters in construction: they are more expensive due to being custom-made on-site by skilled craftsmen rather than being mass-produced in a factory, they take longer to install because they must be cut to size on site, and they require the expertise of a professional carpenter to install.
In contrast, trusses are cheaper, quicker to install, and do not require specialized labor because they are pre-cut and delivered to the job site. However, trusses are also more substantial and can bear more weight over a greater distance than rafters.
Ultimately, trusses may be the better choice when the cost is the primary concern, but rafters offer more design flexibility and the possibility of attic storage or cathedral ceilings.
