APRIL JLC 1998
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
Framing
Questions
When to Double Rafters
Q.When you remove one rafter to install a skylight,
do you have to double the two rafters at the sides
of the opening? What about the headers?
A.When you're framing a skylight that requires
you to remove no more than two rafters, a common
rule of thumb says to double the rafters on either
side of the opening and use double headers. This is
often required by building inspectors, but in fact, it's
a very conservative guideline that often results in
unnecessary framing. Only in rare cases are the doubled
headers required. And in many cases, particularly
when 2x10 or 2x12 rafters are chosen