Roof Structure

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  Ultimate Framer

  With the Chappell Master Framer, you can calculate cuts for complex roof frames

   

• Roof Truss Repair

  Field repairs should always be designed by an engineer

   
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  Testing Florida's Gable-End Retrofit Rules

  Since 2007, Florida has required contractors to reinforce the wall-to-roof connection during some remodeling or re-roofing work.

   
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  Guardrail System for Fall Protection

  The Horizontal Under-Eave Guardrail System is an easy-on, easy-off rooftop railing for use with trusses.

   
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  A Practical Prefab Dormer (Subscriber content)

  Building on the ground is faster and safer than framing on the roof.

   
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  Rescuing a Spreading Roof (Subscriber content)

  A horizontal beam and steel tie rods resist rafter thrust with little disruption to the rest of the structure.

   
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  Replacing a Rooftop Deck

  Pedestal supports and preassembled wood tiles simplify installation and maintenance.

   
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  Working On a SIPs Roof (Subscriber content)

  A look at the techniques used to add skylights and thermal solar collectors to a foam-core roof.

   
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  Raising the Pitch of an Existing Roof (Subscriber content)

  By combining trusses with stick framing, the author was able to frame a new roof without damaging the finished rooms below.

   
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  A Shop-Built Conical Roof (Subscriber content)

  Truss-style construction simplified the framing of this serpentine roofline.

   
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  Letters

  Tree roots and foundation cracks; code logic; mixing plastics; site-built arched trusses

   
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  Making Space for a Barrel Vault (Subscriber content)

  Modifying the existing trusses from below saved the cost of rebuilding the roof.

   
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  Restoring an Old Barn (Subscriber content)

  Carefully shoring the entire structure allowed it to be repaired one section at a time.

   

• Q&A: Modifying Roof Trusses

  Q: My client wants to add a 16-inch-wide 4-inch-deep tray ceiling in a room where the drywall ceiling is attached to the bottom chord of roof trusses. To do this, I'd have to cut out and raise the bottom chords of the trusses. Is that possible?

   
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  Strengthening Roof-to-Wall Connections

  New Florida codes compel contractors to upgrade the roof-wall connections on qualifying older homes when replacing the roof covering. In this article Richard Reynolds, who helped write the new code language, outlines the steps involved: how to inspect the connections that tie existing rafters or...

   
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  Q&A: Rafter Ties and Shallow-Pitch Roofs

  Q. My clients have a garage with a conventionally framed 4/12 roof that they want to convert to living space. They like the idea of a vaulted ceiling but not the expense of the new structural ridge it would require. As a compromise, can I replace the existing ceiling joists with rafter ties?

   
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  A Roof Full of Windows (Subscriber content)

  Precise framing, peel-and-stick membrane, and metal flashings ensure a leakproof job.

   
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  Dressing Up a Truss Roof

  Rafter tails and gable overhangs transform an otherwise plain-looking exterior.

   
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  Building a SIPs Roof (Subscriber content)

  Complex roofs with hips and dormers can be assembled quickly using these energy-efficient panels.

   
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  Framing a Dutch Gable (Subscriber content)

  This method uses calculations and layout shortcuts to speed production.