How to Connect Plates and Rafters

Hoist the rafter on top of the wall framing. Tilt the rafter on edge. Lift the rafter and position the rafter's notched end, called a "bird's mouth," in position over the wall's plate and the opposite end in position against the roof's ridge board. Align the opposite ends of the rafter with layout marks; usually 16 inches on center for rafters. If ridge ties connect your rafter to the ridge board, position the rafter in the hanger's saddle.

Hold a level against the side of the rafter, near the rafter's connection to the ridge board. Adjust the rafter's vertical position or "plumb." Use a framing nail gun to toenail the rafter to the ridge board or, if using a ridge tie, use a hammer to drive hanger nails through the sides of the bracket and into the rafter.

Move to the bird's mouth end of the rafter and align the rafter with the layout lines on the wall's top plate. Use the nail gun to toenail the rafter to the top plate on one side. Move to the opposite side of the rafter and apply a second toenail.

Hold a hurricane tie against the face of the rafter and align the bottom side of the tie against the inside edge of the wall's plate. While holding the hurricane tie in position, use a framing hammer to drive joist hanger nails through the hurricane tie's nail holes and into the plate's edge and rafter's face.