Framing a shed roof

Shed are a less expensive alternative to garages. You can use sheds for storage, as a workshop, home office, family room.

You will need some tools and materials:

timber
nails
hammer
saw
carpenter’s square
carpenter’s pencil

Measurements

Before starting the framing, make some measurements of the span, the distance from the outside of one wall to the other.

Also measure distance from the top of the roof to the center of the floor. Then determine the pitch. You can use a fractional slope, like 1/4 or 1/3, meaning a 4 inches rise over 12 inches length or 3 inches rise over 12 inches.

Cutting the timber

For making the rafters, you will need 3 basic cuts. the cut where the rafter butts against the ridge plate, the tail cut that is the outside edge, and the bird’s eye mouth, the part that allows the rafters to stand on top of the supporting walls. You can draw the slope line with the help of the carpenter’s square.

Rising the frame

There is one simple way that will help you erect the rafters faster. You will need to make 2 braces out of scrap timber. They should have the same height as the walls and the rise, combined. They need to be kept apart by a spacer with a “U” shape. While the sloping side of the rafter is being nailed, the ridge board will be help by this bracers. You can remove the braces after all the rafters have been nailed. You ca add collar ties for extra support. After this you can begin covering the roof with tiles ad add the flashings.