How to Connect Roof Rafters

A common roof rafter is a vital part to a roof’s framing. Made from framing lumber, the rafter is placed on edge and attaches the roof ridge board -- where both sides of the roof meet at the top -- to the top plate of the outside wall of the building. The top of the rafter is cut at an angle so that its edge fits flush against the ridge board. The bottom end of the rafter has a notch cut into it so that it will rest flat on the horizontal top edge of the wall. Correctly securing a rafter may guard against structural problems down the road.

Rafter hanger bracket
8D nails
Hammer
16D nails
Hurricane clip or strap (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Attach a metal rafter hanger bracket vertically to the roof ridge board with 8D nails driven in with a hammer.
- 2
  Position the rafter so that the notched end rests on the top plate of the wall and the opposite end rests in the metal rafter hanger. Nail the top of the rafter to the hanger with 8D nails. Ensure you drive nails through all of the nail holes in the rafter hanger.
- 3
  Position a 16D nail at a 45-degree angle on the vertical edge of the rafter where it meets the wall top plate. Drive the nail in with a hammer. Drive another nail into the top plate on the opposite side of the rafter in the same fashion.
- 4
  Position a hurricane clip so that one surface of the clip rests on the vertical edge of the rafter and the other side of the clip rests on the edge of the top plate of the wall. Secure the clip by driving 8D nails into each nail hole in the clip. Skip this step if your home is not in an area that experiences high winds.

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