Hip, Valley, &

18 Jack Rafters
Section 18.1
Hip Rafters

Section 18.2
Valley Rafters

Section 18.3
Jack Rafters

Chapter Objectives
After completing this chapter,
you will be able to:
• Explain how to lay out
a hip rafter for a given
roof.
• Explain how to lay out
a valley rafter for a given
roof.
• Determine the rafter
overhang for a hip or
valley rafter.
• Define a dormer.
• Explain how to lay out
a jack rafter for a given
roof.
• Summarize why the
intersection of two roofs
calls for more complex
framing.
Discuss the Photo
Rafters Rafters are made up of geometric shapes. What shapes and types
of angles do you see in this picture?
Writing Activity: Categorizing Information
As a class, observe or find photographs of at least sixteen different
roofs on houses in your community. Place like roofs together. After you
have finished reading the chapter, categorize each roof by type: gable
roofs, hip roofs, and intersecting roofs (including dormers). Create a brief
description of each type of roof.

502 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

Photodisc/Getty Im ages
 18
Before You Read Preview
Roof framing with hip, valley, and jack rafters is more complex than framing entirely with
common rafters. Choose a content vocabulary or academic vocabulary word that is new to
you. When you find it in the text, write down the definition.

Content Vocabulary
● hip rafter ● seat cut ● addition
● valley rafter ● backing the hip ● dormer
● jack rafter ● dropping the hip ● doghouse dormer

Academic Vocabulary
You will find these words in your reading and on your tests. Use the academic vocabulary
glossary to look up their definitions if necessary.
■ hypotenuse ■ significant ■ ensure

Graphic Organizer
As you read, use a chart like the one shown to organize information about the three types
of rafters.

hip rafter valley rafter jack rafter

forms a raised area, or hip,
usually extending from the
corner of the building diago-
nally upwards to the ridge

Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC for a downloadable version of this graphic organizer.

Academic Standards
English Language Arts Science
Use information resources to gather information and Science and Technology: Abilities of technological
create and communicate knowledge (NCTE 8) design (NSES)
Participate as members of literacy communities (NCTE 11) Industry Standards
Mathematics Framing in Wood
Measurement: Understand measurable attributes Roof, Ceiling, and Wall Framing
of objects and the units, systems, and processes of
measurements (NCTM)
Geometry: Analyze characteristics and properties of
two- and three-dimensional geometric shapes and
develop mathematical arguments about geometric
relationships (NCTM)

NCTE National Council of Teachers of English NSES National Science Education Standards
NCTM National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Chapter 18 Reading Guide 503

 Hip Rafters
18.1
Understanding Complex rafter is called for only when framing a hip
roof, but a valley rafter is needed on both
Roofs hip and gable roofs whenever roof planes
When is a hip rafter called for? intersect. A jack rafter is a shortened com-
A simple gable roof can be built entirely mon rafter that may be framed to a hip
with common rafters. However, a carpenter rafter, a valley rafter, or both. Thus, there
must also know how to lay out and cut hip, are hip jack rafters and valley jack rafters.
valley, and jack rafters. These rafters, shown The total rise of hip and valley rafters is
in Figure 18-1, are required when framing the same as that of common rafters. They
complex roofs, such as hip roofs and inter- are also the same thickness as common
secting gable roofs (for more on roof types, rafters. However, they should be 2" wider
see Chapter 17, “Basic Roof Framing”). A in their nominal dimension. For example,
hip rafter forms a raised area, or hip, usually if you use 2⫻6 common rafters, use 2⫻8
extending from the corner of the building hip rafters to provide full bearing for the
diagonally upwards to the ridge. A valley end of intersecting jack rafters, as shown
rafter forms a depression in the roof instead in Figure 18-2.
of a hip. Like the hip rafter, it extends diago- A mastery of roof framing with hip, valley,
nally from the top plate to the ridge. A hip and jack rafters is what distinguishes the true

Main roof valley jacks

Ridge board

Addition valley jacks

Hip rafter Ridge board

Common
rafter

Valley rafter
Ridge Hip jacks

A B
Figure 18-1 Hip, Jack, and Valley Rafters
Roof Anatomy A. The roof framing plan. B. The general arrangement of rafters shown in the larger drawing.

504 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Doubled
valley rafters
Valley
jack rafter
Common
rafter
Common rafter
with overhang

Top plate

Figure 18-2 Width of Hip and Valley Rafters

How the Parts Fit The doubled valley rafter in this drawing has been cut off at the top plate. Normally it is extended to
become part of the overhang. Doubled valleys are sometimes used to provide more bearing for the roof sheathing.

professional from the casual carpenter. This total run of the rafter, but not its actual length.
chapter describes how to figure rafter layouts On a hip roof framing plan, the lines that
manually using a standard framing square. On indicate the hip rafters (EC, AC, KG, and IG in
the job, construction calculators and trian- Figure 18-3) form 45° angles with the edges of
gular framing squares are often used for this the building. You can see from the plan that the
purpose. A calculator works quickly and with total run of a hip rafter is the hypotenuse of a
great precision. This makes it invaluable when right triangle. The two shorter legs of this
laying out hip, valley, and jack rafters. Most triangle are each equal to the total run of a
construction calculators have built-in functions common rafter, or half the span of the roof.
to make roof calculations even easier.
Length of building
E D H I

Recall What tools are used to figure layouts?

Span of building

Hip Rafter Layout F

C G

What is a hypotenuse?
Run

Any of the methods for determining the

length of a common rafter may be used for
determining the length of a hip rafter (see A B L Run K
Chapter 17, “Basic Roof Framing”). How-
ever, some of the basic data used is different.
Figure 18-3 Hip Roof Framing Plan
Part of a framing plan for a hip roof is shown
Framing Plan This is the framing plan for a small
in Figure 18-3. Remember that a line on the rectangular building with a hip roof.
framing plan indicating a rafter represents the

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 505

 In Figure 18-4, one corner of the roof
framing plan (ABCF in Figure 18-3) has
been drawn in perspective. This shows
the relative position of the hip rafter to the Cutting Compound Angles The cuts made
common rafter. on hip jack and valley jack rafters are typically
The unit run of a hip rafter is the hypot- made at compound angles. To make such
enuse of a right triangle with the shorter cuts, tilt a portable saw at a bevel angle. Then
sides each equal to the unit run of a com- guide it across the rafter stock at a miter angle.
mon rafter, as shown in Figure 18-5. The Secure the stock so it will not move during the
unit run of a common rafter is 12". Using cut. To prevent the blade guard from binding,
the Pythagorean theorem, a2 ⫹ b2 ⫽ c2, the retract it to get the cut started. Then release it
to complete the cut. Never disable or remove
unit run of a hip rafter is the square root
the guard to make a compound-angle cut.
of 144 ⫹ 144 which is 16.97" (which can
be rounded up to 17"), as shown in Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC for more on
Figure 18-6A. job safety.
Like the unit length of a common rafter,
the unit length of a hip rafter may be
obtained from the rafter table on the fram- Look again at Figure 18-5, which shows the
ing square. In Figure 18-6B, the second corner of the building shown in Figure 18-3.
row in the table is headed “Length Hip In this example the total run of a common raf-
or Valley per Foot Run.” This means “for ter is 5'. The unit rise is 8" and the unit length
every 12" of a common rafter in the same of the hip rafter for this unit rise is 18.76".
roof.” Another way to state this would The unit length multiplied by the total run
be “per 16.97" run of hip or valley rafter.” in feet is the length of the hip rafter in inches
For example, the unit length for a unit rise (18.76" ⫻ 5 ⫽ 93.8", or 7'-913⁄16"). As in the
of 8" is 18.76". To calculate the length of case of common rafters, this is the theoretical
a hip rafter, multiply the unit length by length. To obtain the actual length, the ridge
the number of feet in the total run of a board shortening allowance and the rafter tail
common rafter. length will have to be calculated and laid out.

Square prism

C'
F
r
fte

3'– 4"
of roof

r
rafte
Rise
ra

Hip
on

Corner of
m

building
m
Co

A Run of hip rafter C

Po
Figure 18-4 Comparison of Hip rtio er
no
fp r aft
and Common Rafters lat on
5'– e 90° m
Hip and Common Rafters Here, the position 0" om "
o f c 5'– 0
of a hip rafter is shown relative to a common n
rafter. Which one is longer? B Ru

506 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 8

76"
18. Ridge board
C'
1' 76"
Length of hip rafter 7.8 18.
per foot run of
76"

8" in 12"
common rafter 18.

Rise 3' – 4'

76"

r
fte
18.

ra
on
76"
18.

m
m
Co
A Run of hip rafter C
12
" f r "
Pla u n o rafte 12
te R on
"
Le mm 12
ng 5' – Co "
th 0" 12
of "
pla " –0
te 12 5' un
R
B "
12

Corner of building at A

Figure 18-5 Comparing Unit Runs

Visualizing Unit Run The relationship between the unit run of a hip rafter and the unit run of a common rafter.

17
as
n e
Altitude

a ke nus
t te
12

. 97 po
16 Hy
90°

12
A B
Base

A B
Figure 18-6 Unit Run and Unit Length
Finding the Units Finding unit run and unit length. A. The hypotenuse of a right triangle, the shorter sides of which each
equal 12", is 16.97". This can be rounded off to 17". B. Unit length can be obtained from the framing square.

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 507

 Geometry
Pythagorean Theorem Find the run of a
Roof Styles A roof is a very important element
hip rafter if the run of the common rafter is
in the architectural style of a house. The style of a
10 feet. Round to the nearest tenth.
house can change dramatically by changing features
Starting Hint The run of the hip rafter is as basic as roof pitch. For example, a hip roof with
the hypotenuse of a right isosceles triangle. a steep pitch would typically indicate a French style
The length of the legs is the length of the of architecture that is often seen in the Gulf Coast
common rafter.
region, particularly in Louisiana. A low-pitched hip
roof characterizes Prairie style houses often found in
the Midwest. The type of roof framing that carpen-
ters become familiar with depends on the style of
house most common where they work.
Plumb and Level Lines Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC for
Cuts made in a hip or valley rafter are more information about regional concerns.
made either along plumb lines (plumb cuts)
or along level lines (level cuts), as shown
in Figure 18-7. To lay out the plumb and Shortening Allowance
level cuts of the hip or valley rafters, set The theoretical length of a hip rafter does
off 17" on the blade (the long leg) of the not take into account the thickness of the
framing square. On the tongue of the square ridge board. This must be allowed for by
(the short leg), set off the rise per foot of deducting the shortening allowance. The
common rafter run. A line drawn along the shortening allowance for a hip rafter depends
tongue then indicates the plumb cut. A line on the way the rafter is cut to fit against the
drawn along the blade indicates the level other structural members. Some carpenters
cut. When the completed rafter is to rest make a single side cut, as in Figure 18-8.
on its level cut, the level cut is sometimes Other carpenters prefer a double side cut,
referred to as the seat cut. as in Figure 18-9.

Figure 18-7 Plumb and Level

Same Square Position Marking the plumb cut and the
level (seat) cut on a hip rafter. Along what lines are cuts
made in hip and valley rafters?
8
ter
raf
of
gth 17
'Len
7 .81

Plumb cut

8
Hip rafter
17

Seat cut

508 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Single side cut
th
ng Ridge board
le
ic al
ret
eo
Th
g th
len
ual
A ct

Hip rafter Hip rafter shortening allowance

one-half 45° thickness of ridge board
Common rafter

Figure 18-8 Single Side Cut

One Cut A hip rafter framed against the ridge board calls for a single side cut. Depending on the layout of common
rafters, the end common rafter may require a 45° plumb cut so that it will fit against the side of the hip rafter.

If the ridge board is a different thickness the common rafters, using a double side cut,
than the rafters, the shortening allowance the shortening allowance is one-half the 45°
must take this into account. If the hip rafter thickness of a common rafter.
is framed against the ridge board, using a To lay out the shortening allowance, set
single side cut, the shortening allowance is the tongue of the framing square along the
one-half the 45° thickness of the ridge board. rafter’s plumb line. Measure the shortening
(The 45° thickness is the length of a line laid allowance along the blade and mark this
at 45° across the thickness of the board.) point, as shown in Step 1 of Figure 18-10 on
However, if the hip rafter is framed against page 510. Then slide the square sideways

Common rafter

Double side cut

h
n gt
le Ridge board
l
t ica
o re
The
h
n gt
le
u al
A ct

Hip rafter shortening allowance

Hip rafter one-half 45° thickness of common rafter

Common rafter
Figure 18-9 Double Side Cut
Two Cuts A hip rafter framed against the ridge-end common rafters requires a double side cut.

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 509

 Figure 18-10 Shortening Allowance for Hip Rafter
Laying Out Shortening Allowance Start by setting the tongue along the plumb line.

Step 1
Place the tongue of the square along Theoretical ridge
the plumb line and measure the plumb line
shortening allowance along the blade
of the square (level line).

Shortening
allowance

Hip rafter

Step 2
Set the square to the cut of the roof
(8" unit rise for this example) with the gth
tongue on the shortening allowance a l len
etic th
mark. Draw the actual ridge plumb
h eor l leng
line along the edge of the tongue. T a
tu
Ac 8"

17"
Shortening
allowance
Hip rafter

until the tongue is lined up with the mark rafters.The steps for making a hip rafter
and draw another plumb line, as shown in tail cut are shown in Figure 18-12 on page
Step 2. This line marks the actual plumb cut 511 and Figure 18-13 and Figure 18-14 on
for the rafter. page 512.
Hip Rafter Tail Cut Overhang
A common rafter tail has a single plumb The amount of rafter overhang has a
cut at its lower end. A hip rafter tail, how- significant impact on the appearance of a
ever, will butt against the corner of two house. The amount is often related to the
intersecting planes, and requires two cuts. climate. Deep overhangs protect walls from
See Figure 18-11. rain or shade them from intense sun. Shallow
The face of each cut should be in the same overhangs (or no overhangs) help to prevent
plane as cuts on the ends of adjacent common ice dams caused when melted snow refreezes

510 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Lower end of
hip rafter
Figure 18-11 Hip Tail Cut
Fit for Fascia The end of the hip rafter has a double side cut so that the fascia (installed later) will fit properly.

Making Hip Rafter Side Cuts The end of a hip rafter joins the ridge board (or the ends of the
common rafters) at an angle. The cut is called a side cut or sometimes a cheek cut (see Figures 18-8
and 18-9 on page 509). The side cut may be laid out in one of two ways.

Theoretical ridge-end
Method 1 plumb line
Actual ridge-end
Step 1 Place the tongue of the framing plumb line One-half of
square along the actual ridge board thickness of
plumb cut line, as shown in Figure 18-12. hip rafter
Measure one-half the thickness of the
hip rafter along the blade (level line) and
place a mark. A
Step 2 Shift the tongue to the mark,
set the square to the cut of the rafter 17"
Shortening
(17" and 8" in this example), and allowance
draw a plumb line (A). 8"
Step 3 Turn the rafter on edge and draw
a centerline along its edge, indicated by
Figure 18-12 Drawing a Plumb Line
the red arrow in Figure 18-13 on page 512.
Step 4 Extend the plumb lines from the face of the rafter Step 5 The tail of the rafter must have a double side cut
to intersect the centerline at 90°. The side cut line is drawn at the same angle, but in the reverse direction, to allow
from line A through the intersection of the centerline and attachment of the fascia board, as in Figure 18-11.
the actual ridge-end plumb line.
Note: A hip rafter that will be framed against the ridge
board has only a single side cut. A hip rafter framed against
the ends of the common rafters requires a double side cut.
(continued)

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 511

 Method 2 For this method, refer to the rafter table on Step 2 Place the framing square face up on the rafter
the framing square. edge, with the tongue on the ridge-end plumb cut line (see
line A in Figure 18-13).
Step 1 On the framing square, the bottom line of
the table is headed “Side Cut Hip or Valley Use” (see Step 3 Set the square to a cut of 107⁄8" on the blade and
Figure 18-6B on page 507). Follow this line over to the 12" on the tongue, as shown in Figure 18-14. Draw the
column under the number 8 (for a unit rise of 8"). side cut angle along the tongue.
The number shown is 107⁄8. To determine the overhang, see the Step-by-Step
Application on page 513.

Figure 18-13 Marking the Side Cuts

Tail double
side cut

Side cut
C D
Figure 18-14 Side Cut Plumb
E cut
Hip rafter

AB Seat cut Roof – 1/3 pitch

DE Plumb cut
CD Side cut

A
B
Side cut
Seat cut Back of rafter

107/8" 12"
Measuring line on body on
tounge

Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC for additional step-by-step procedures, applications, and certification practice.

512 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Determining the Overhang As with a common rafter overhang, a hip or valley rafter overhang is
figured as if it were a separate rafter. The run of this overhang, however, is not the same as the run
of a common rafter overhang in the same roof, as shown in Figure 18-15. Instead, the run of a hip or
valley overhang is the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose shorter sides are each equal to the run of
a common rafter overhang. If the run of the common rafter overhang is 2' for a roof with an 8" unit
rise, the length of the hip or valley rafter tail is figured as follows.

Step 1 Find the unit length of the hip or

valley rafter on the framing square (see Building line
Figure 18-6B). For this roof, the unit length Hip rafter
is 18.76".
Step 2 Multiply the unit length of the hip
or valley rafter by the run of the common
rafter overhang: 18.76" (unit length of hip
or valley rafter) ⴛ 2 (feet of run in common
rafter overhang) ⴝ 37.52", or 371⁄2".
Step 3 Add this product to the theoretical
rafter length.
Run of
The overhang may also be stepped off as hip rafter
described in Chapter 17 for a common overhang
rafter. When stepping off the length of the
overhang, set the 17" mark on the blade Building line
even with the edge of the rafter. Set the unit
rise, whatever it might be, on the tongue,
even with the same rafter edge.
Run of common
rafter overhang
Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC
for additional step-by-step procedures, Figure 18-15 Run of a Hip Rafter Overhang
applications, and certification practice.

at the overhang. Deep overhangs are also the rafter, as shown in Figure 18-16 on page
typical of certain architectural styles, such as 514. This must be done because the hip rafters
Arts and Crafts, Italianate, or Mission styles. are usually wider than common rafters, and
The parts of a hip rafter overhang are the distance should be the same on both. An
shown in Figure 18-15. additional step must also be taken to ensure
that the top edge of a hip rafter will be in
Bird’s Mouth alignment with jack rafters. In this step, the
Laying out the bird’s mouth for a hip rafter hip rafter must either be backed or dropped.
is much the same as for a common rafter.
However, there are a couple of things to Backing or Dropping a Hip Rafter
remember. When you lay out the plumb (heel If the top edge of the hip rafter extends
cut) and level (seat cut) lines on a hip rafter, set slightly above the upper ends of the jack
the body of the square at 17" and the tongue rafters, it will interfere with the sheathing.
to the unit rise (depending on the roof pitch; Backing the hip means to bevel the upper
see Figure 18-7 on page 508). When laying edge of the hip rafter, as shown in Figure
out the depth of the heel, measure along the 18-17 on page 514. This allows the roof
heel plumb line down from the top edge of sheathing to be installed without hitting the

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 513

 A

A Seat cut
Depth of Bird's mouth
heel Heel plumb line Heel plumb line

COMMON RAFTER HIP RAFTER

Figure 18-16 Layout of the Bird’s Mouth

Measure Down When laying out the bird’s mouth on a hip rafter, measure down from the top edge. Dimension A must be
the same for both common and hip rafters so that the tops of all the rafters will be level for the application of sheathing.

corners of the hip rafter. Dropping the hip backing, a line drawn through this mark
means to deepen the bird’s mouth so as to and parallel to the edge will indicate the
bring the top edge of the hip rafter in line bevel angle, as in Figure 18-18B. For drop-
with the upper ends of the jacks. ping, the perpendicular distance between
The amount of backing or drop required the line and the edge of the rafter will be
is calculated as shown in Figure 18-18A. Set the amount of drop. This is the amount
the framing square to the cut of the rafter by which the depth of the hip rafter bird’s
(8" and 17" in this example) on the upper mouth should exceed the depth of the
edge. Measure off one-half the thickness of common rafter bird’s mouth, as in Figure
the rafter from the edge along the blade. For 18-18C.

Hip rafter Amount of Amount of

backing drop

Jack
rafters

A B C
Figure 18-17 Backing or Dropping a Hip
Two Solutions A. The top of a hip rafter may extend above the upper ends of the jack rafters. B. Backing the
hip rafter. C. Dropping the hip rafter.

514 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 8" 17"
Backing line
Amount of
drop

1/2thickness of
hip rafter

Backing line Amount of

drop

Hip rafter Depth of hip rafter

bird’s mouth
B C
Figure 18-18 Determining Backing or Drop
Fine-Tuning the Rafter A. Determining the amount of backing or drop. B. Bevel angle for backing the
rafter. C. Deepening the bird’s mouth for dropping the rafter.

18.1
After You Read: Self-Check
1. What is the main difference between a hip rafter and valley rafter?
2. What does backing the hip mean?
3. What is the shortening allowance for a hip rafter when the ridge end is framed against the
ridge board?
4. What is the amount of overhang often related to?

Academic Integration: Mathematics

5. Explaining Unit Run The unit run of a hip rafter is 17" and the unit run of a common
rafter is 12". Explain how to calculate the hip rafter’s unit run using an equation.
The unit run of a rafter is also the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The
Pythagorean theorem is an equation that shows the relationships of the lengths of the
sides of a right triangle.
Step 1: Review the Pythagorean theorem.
Step 2: Substitute known values into the formula.
Step 3: State the formula and tell how to use the Pythagorean theorem to find the unit run.
Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC to check your answers.

Section 18.1 Hip Rafters 515

 Valley Rafters
18.2
Valley Rafter Layout first, and the intersecting roof is then added.
Another reason is that a common method for
Could an addition roof have a span and expanding an existing house is to build an
a pitch different from the main roof? addition that intersects the main house.
A valley rafter is necessary where two Equal-Span Roof In equal-span framing, the
roofs intersect. It is also needed at the inter- span, or width, of the addition is the same as
section of a dormer roof with the main roof. the span of the main roof, as shown in Figure
Most intersecting roofs that contain valley 18-19. When the pitch of the addition’s roof
rafters each have the same pitch. The valley is the same as the pitch of the main roof, the
rafters always run at a 45° angle to the build- ridges of both roofs are at the same height.
ing perimeter and the ridge boards. The total run of a valley rafter (indicated
Equal and Unequal Spans by AB or AC in Figure 18-20) is the hypot-
A roof that intersects the main roof is enuse of a right triangle. Each shorter side
sometimes referred to as an addition. This of the triangle is equal to the total run of a
is because the main roof is generally framed common rafter in the main roof. The unit
run of a valley rafter is therefore 16.97", the
same as the unit run for a hip rafter. Figur-
A ing the length of an equal-span valley rafter
is thus the same as figuring the length of a
hip rafter.
Valley rafter shortening
allowance one-half of
45° thickness of main
roof ridge board
B
A
Main roof
ridge board

Span of main roof same

as span of addition

A
Valley
rafter
B Valley C
rafter
Addition
B C ridge board
Figure 18-20 Ridge-End Shortening
Figure 18-19 An Equal-Span Roof Allowance
A Common Addition A roof with an equal-span Allow for the Ridge Ridge-end shortening allowance
addition. for an equal-span addition valley.

516 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Valley rafter

Fascia board
Figure 18-21 Valley Rafter Tail
Plumb Notch Valley rafter framing. Notice the inside
corner formed by the fascia boards.
Lower end of
valley rafter
A

The shortening allowance for an equal- B

span addition valley rafter is one-half
the 45° thickness of the ridge board, as in
Figure 18-20. Side cuts are laid out as they
are for a hip rafter. The valley rafter tail has
a double side cut, like the hip rafter tail, but C
running in the opposite direction, as shown
in Figure 18-21. This is because the tail cut
must form an inside rather than an outside Span of addition shorter
corner. The bird’s mouth and the overhang, than span of main roof
if any, are figured just as they are for a
hip rafter.
Unequal-Span Roof A single full-length val-
ley rafter (AD in Figure 18-22) is framed A
between the top plate and the ridge board.
B
A shorter valley rafter (BC in Figure 18-22) is
then framed to the longer one at a 90° angle.
The total run of the longer valley rafter is the C D
hypotenuse of a right triangle, the shorter
sides of which are each equal to the total run
of a common rafter in the main roof. The total Figure 18-22 An Unequal-Span Roof
One Method An addition with a span shorter than the
run of the shorter valley rafter is the hypote-
main roof span. This addition is formed with a long and
nuse of a right triangle with shorter sides each a short valley rafter.
equal to the total run of a common rafter in

Section 18.2 Valley Rafters 517

the addition. The total run of a common rafter on page 517 would be 19.21" times one-half
in the main roof is equal to one-half the span the span of the main roof. The length of the
of the main roof. The total run of a common shorter valley rafter would be 19.21" times
rafter in the addition is equal to one-half the one-half the span of the addition. Because
span of the addition. one-half the span of the addition is 15', the
length of the shorter valley rafter is 19.21" ⫻
Determining the Length of a 15, or 288.15". Converted to feet, this is 24.01'.
Valley Rafter The shortening allowances for the long
When the total run of any rafter is known, and short valley rafters are shown in Figure
the theoretical length can be found by 18-23. Note that the long valley rafter has a
multiplying the total run by the unit length. single side cut for framing to the main roof
Suppose, for example, that the addition ridge board. The short valley rafter is cut
shown in Figure 18-22 has a span of 30' and square for framing to the long valley rafter.
that the unit rise of a common rafter in the
addition is 9". The rafter table in Figure 18-6B
on page 507 shows that the unit length for a
valley rafter in a roof with a common rafter Explain How can you determine the theoretical
unit rise of 9" is 19.21". length of a valley rafter?
To find the theoretical length of the valley
rafter, multiply its unit length by the total
run of a common rafter in the roof to which it Framing Dormers
belongs. (The total run of a common rafter is What do dormers do?
equal to one-half the span.) Therefore, the Dormers are often added to a roof. A
length of the longer valley rafter in Figure 18-22 dormer is a roofed projection from a slanted
roof. In addition to a roof, dormers typically
include a window. They add architectural
Shortening allowance interest, allow natural light to reach the top
of longer valley rafter floor, and provide more headroom beneath
equals one-half of 45°
thickness of main roof steep slopes. In many respects, framing some
ridge board kinds of dormers is like framing a small
house with a small roof.
Dormers Without Side Walls
Main roof
ridge board When constructing a gable dormer
Shortening allowance without side walls, the dormer ridge board
of shorter rafter equals is fastened to a header. The header is sup-
one-half of thickness of ported on each end by doubled common
longer valley rafter rafters in the main roof, as in Figure 18-24.
The valley rafters are framed between this
header and a lower header. The total run of
a valley rafter is the hypotenuse of a right
triangle, the shorter sides of which are each
Addition equal to the total run of a common rafter in
ridge board the dormer.
The arrangement and names of framing
Figure 18-23 Long and Short Valley Rafter members in this type of dormer framing are
Shortening Allowances
shown in Figure 18-25. Note that the upper
Long and Short Long and short valley rafter shortening
allowances.
edges of the headers must be beveled to the
pitch of the main roof.

518 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Main roof common rafters In this method, the shortening allow-
(doubled) ance for the upper end of a valley rafter
is one-half the 45° thickness of the inside
Header
member (the member closest to the dor-
A mer) in the doubled upper header. For
example, see Figure 18-26 on page 520. The
shortening allowance for the lower end
B
is one-half the 45° thickness of the inside
member in the doubled common rafter.
Each valley rafter has a double side cut at
the upper and lower ends.
Dormers With Side Walls
A method of framing a gable dormer
with side walls is shown in Figure 18-27 on
page 520. This type of dormer is sometimes
A referred to as a doghouse dormer because of
its shape. The total run of the valley rafter is
B C the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The shorter
sides of the triangle are each equal to the total
run of a common rafter in the dormer.
Figure 18-24 A Dormer Without Side Walls Figure the lengths of the dormer corner
All Roof Framing a dormer without side walls. posts and side studs just as you would the
lengths of gable-end studs (see Chapter 19,

Cripple common rafter

Doubled common rafter

Doubled common rafter

Dormer
Upper header valley
jack

Main-roof valley jack

Figure 18-25 Parts of a Dormer Valley rafter

Without Side Walls
Key Elements Arrangement and names Lower header
of framing members for a dormer without
side walls. Cripple common
rafter

Section 18.2 Valley Rafters 519

 Double Shortening allowance
one-half of 45° thickness
common of inside header
rafter

Upper
double header o Valley rafter

Dormer
ridge board

Shortening allowance Lower

one-half of 45° thickness double header
of inside common rafter

Figure 18-26 Valley Rafter Shortening: Dormer With Side Walls

A Rigid Structure Valley rafter shortening allowances for a dormer without side walls.

“Roof Assembly & Sheathing”). Lay out the Another type of dormer with side walls
lower-end cutoff angle by setting the square is the shed dormer. This type is usually tied
to the pitch of the main roof. The valley rafter into a gable roof. This dormer is discussed
shortening allowances for this method of in detail in Chapter 19, “Roof Assembly &
framing are shown in Figure 18-28. Sheathing.”

Main roof valley jack

Main roof Cripple common rafter

valley jack
Dormer
valley jack

Valley rafter
Dormer rafter plate

Dormer side stud

Dormer corner post Cripple common rafter

Figure 18-27 A Gable Dormer With Side Walls

Key Elements Framing a gable dormer with side walls.

520 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

Double main-roof Shortening allowance one-half of 45° thickness Double main-roof
common rafter of inside member of upper double header common rafter

Upper
Valley rafter
double header

Valley rafter
Dormer
common rafter

Dormer
ridge board

Shortening allowance one-half of 45° thickness of outside member of

double main-roof common rafter, plus whole 45° thickness of inside member

Figure 18-28 Valley Rafter Shortening

Extra Steps Valley rafter shortening allowances for a dormer with side walls.

18.2
After You Read: Self-Check
1. Describe an equal-span roof.
2. When the pitch and the span of an addition roof are the same as the pitch and span of the
main roof, how are the ridge boards positioned in relation to each other?
3. When framing a gable dormer without side walls, what is the dormer’s ridge board
attached to?
4. When framing a doghouse dormer, how is the run of a valley rafter determined?

Academic Integration: Mathematics

5. Using Tables Use the framing square to find the length of the rafter for the two problems
below. Round answers to the nearest 1⁄16".
A. Run ⫽ 13'; Slope ⫽ 4⁄12
B. Run ⫽ 15'; Slope ⫽ 5⁄12
The first line on a framing square will give you the length of a common
rafter. For example, for a slope that rises 9" for every foot of run, the first line of the table
tells you that the length of the common rafter for every foot of run is 15. You would
multiply this by the total run to find the length of the common rafter (the hypotenuse).

Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC to check your answers.

Section 18.2 Valley Rafters 521

 Jack Rafters
18.3
Jack Rafter Layout Hip-valley
How does knowing the common Valley cripple jacks
cripple jack
difference save a carpenter time?
A jack rafter is a shortened common rafter
that may be framed to a hip rafter, a valley
rafter, or both. This means that in an equal-
span framing situation, the unit rise of a
jack rafter is always the same as the unit
rise of a common rafter.
There are several types of jack rafters,
as shown in Figure 18-29. A hip jack rafter
extends from a hip rafter to a rafter plate.
A valley jack rafter extends from a valley Figure 18-30 Other Types of Jack Rafters
rafter to a ridge board. A cripple jack rafter Basic Elements Valley cripple jack and hip-valley
does not contact either a plate or a ridge cripple jacks.
board. There are two kinds of cripple
jack rafters. The valley cripple jack extends
Lengths of Hip Jack Rafters
between two valley rafters in the long-
and-short-valley-rafter method of addition A roof framing plan for a series of hip jack
framing. The hip valley cripple jack extends rafters is shown in Figure 18-31. The jacks
from a hip rafter to a valley rafter, as are always on the same spacing as the com-
shown in Figure 18-30. mon rafters. The spacing in this instance is

Addition 16 16
Main roof valley jacks
valley
jacks 16 16

Hip jacks 16 16

16 16

16 16

16 16

16 16

16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
Hip jacks
Figure 18-31 Framing Plan
Figure 18-29 Jack Rafters How the Parts Fit A framing plan for a roof with hip
Basic Elements Hip and valley jack rafters. jack rafters.

522 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

16" on center. You can see in the lower-right on page 507). For example, the third row
part of the plan that the total run of the of the table reads “Difference in Length of
shortest jack is also 16". Jacks 16 Inches Centers.” Follow this row to
Suppose the unit rise of a common rafter the column headed 8 (for a unit rise of 8") to
in this roof is 8" per 12" of run. The hip jacks find the length of the first jack rafter and the
have the same unit rise as a common rafter. common difference, which is 19¼.
The unit length of a common rafter is the
hypotenuse of a right triangle with the unit
Lengths of Valley Jacks and Cripple
run as base and the unit rise as altitude. The Jacks
unit length of a hip jack rafter in the example The best way to figure the total lengths
is therefore the square root of 144 ⫹ 64, or of valley jacks and cripple jacks is to lay out
14.42. This means that a hip jack is 14.42" a roof framing plan. Part of a framing plan
long for every 12" of run. for a main hip roof with a long-and-short-
The theoretical total length of the shortest valley-rafter gable addition is shown in
jack rafter (X) can now be calculated using Figure 18-32.
this formula: By studying the plan, you can figure the
12" (unit run) 16" (total run) total lengths of the valley jacks and cripple
⫽ jacks as follows:
4.42" (unit length) X (total length) • The run of valley jack No. 1 is the same
X ⫽ 19.23" as the run of hip jack No. 8, which is the
This is the length of the shortest hip jack shortest hip jack. The length of valley
when the jacks are spaced 16" on center and jack No. 1 is therefore equal to the
the unit rise is 8". It is also the common common difference between jacks.
difference in length between one jack and the • The run of valley jack No. 2 is the same
next. This means that the next hip jack will as the run of hip jack No. 7. The length is
be 2 ⫻ 19.23" long, the one after that 3 ⫻ therefore twice the common difference
19.23" long, and so on. between jacks.
The common difference for hip jacks • The run of valley jack No. 3 is the same
spaced 16" on center and for hip jacks spaced as the run of hip jack No. 6. The length
24" on center can also be found in the rafter
table on a framing square (see Figure 18-6B Long valley Hip Main roof
rafter rafter ridge board

1
2
3
4
13
14
Making Repetitive Cuts When making 5
repetitive angled cuts on roof framing lum- 9 10 6
ber, a radial-arm saw or compound-miter 7
11 12 8
saw can improve the speed and accuracy
of your work. Once you have determined Short valley Addition
the proper angle, set a stop at one end of rafter ridge board
the saw’s outfeed table. All stock resting
against this stop will then be cut to the
exact same length. Do not let sawdust Figure 18-32 Framing Plan with
collect around the stop. It will affect the Gable Addition
cut length. Jack Layout Jack rafter framing plan for a hip roof with
a gable addition.

Section 18.3 Jack Rafters 523

 is therefore three times the common Side Cuts
difference between jacks. The side cut on a jack rafter can be laid out
• The run of hip-valley cripples No. 4 and by the method shown in Figures 18-12 and
No. 5 is the same as the run of valley jack 18-13 (on pages 511–512) for laying out the
No. 3. The length of these rafters is thus side cut on a hip rafter.
the same as the length of No. 3. Another method is to use the rafter table
• The run of valley jacks No. 9 and No. 10 on the framing square (see Figure 18-6B,
is equal to the spacing of jacks on center. page 507). Find the row headed “Side Cut
Therefore, the length of each of these of Jacks Use” and read across to the figure
jacks is equal to the common difference under the unit rise. For a unit rise of 8", the
between jacks. The run of valley jacks figure given is 10. To lay out the side cut on a
No. 11 and No. 12 is twice the run of jack with this unit rise, set the square face-up
valley jacks No. 9 and No. 10. The length on the edge of the rafter to 12" (the unit run)
of each of these jacks is therefore twice on the tongue and 10" on the blade. Draw
the common difference between jacks. the side cut line along the tongue (see Figure
• The run of valley cripple No. 13 is twice 18-14 on page 512).
the spacing of jacks on center, and the A jack rafter pattern can also be used to
length is therefore twice the common save time, as shown in Figure 18-34.
difference between jacks. The run of Bird’s Mouth and Overhang
valley cripple No. 14 is twice the run A jack rafter is a shortened common rafter.
of valley cripple No. 13, so the length Consequently, the bird’s mouth and overhang
is twice the common difference between are laid out just as they are on a common
jacks. rafter (see Chapter 17, “Basic Roof Framing”).
Shortening Allowances A hip jack rafter has
Hip or valley rafter
a shortening allowance at the upper end
equal to one-half the 45° thickness of the
hip rafter, shown in Figure 18-33. A valley
jack rafter has a shortening allowance at the
upper end equal to one-half the thickness
of the ridge board. It also has a shortening
allowance at the lower end equal to one-
half the 45° thickness of the valley rafter. A
hip-valley cripple has a shortening allow-
ance at the upper end equal to one-half the
One-half the 45°
45° thickness of the hip rafter, and another thickness of the
at the lower end equal to one-half the 45° hip or valley rafter
thickness of the valley rafter. A valley
cripple has a shortening allowance at the
upper end equal to one-half the 45° thick-
ness of the long valley rafter. At the lower
Hip or valley
end, the allowance is equal to one-half the jack rafter
45° thickness of the short valley rafter.
Figure 18-33 Shortening Allowance for Hip
or Valley Jack Rafters
Plan View The shortening allowance for the upper end
of a hip jack or the lower end of a valley jack rafter.
Explain What are three types of jack rafters?

524 Chapter 18 Hip, Valley, & Jack Rafters

 Cutting a Jack Rafter Pattern Rather than lay out and mark each jack rafter individually, a pattern
is used to save time. When all the rafters have been cut, the rafter used as a pattern becomes part of
the roof frame.
Step 1 Lay out and cut the longest jack rafter first, including
Common difference in length A the overhang, if there is one. Be careful to calculate and make
of jack rafters all necessary allowances to determine the actual length.
Step 2 Set the rafter in place on the building and check the
Actual length of fit of all the cuts. See that the spacing between the centers of
longest jack rafter B the rafters is correct.
C Step 3 When everything is correct, use this rafter as a pat-
D tern. On the top edge of the rafter, measure down the center
line from the ridge end a distance equal to the common
E difference measurement (found on the framing square rafter
Overhang table). This is the length of the second-longest jack rafter.
F
G Step 4 Continue to mark the common difference measure-
ments along the top edge until the lengths of all the jacks
Seat cut have been laid out, as shown in Figure 18-34.
Heel cut Step 5 Use the longest jack rafter (AG) as a pattern to lay
out all the jack rafters. The second jack rafter is BG, the third
jack rafter is CG, and so on.
Figure 18-34 Jack Rafter Pattern

Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC for additional step-by-step procedures, applications, and certification practice.

18.3
After You Read: Self-Check
1. What is a jack rafter?
2. What is a valley jack rafter?
3. What is the best way to figure the total lengths of valley jacks and cripple jacks?
4. What is the purpose of a jack rafter pattern?

Academic Integration: Mathematics

5. Lengths of Hip Jack Rafters For a house with a hip roof, the run of a common rafter is 14',
the pitch is 6⁄12, there is a 2' overhang, and the rafters are 16" OC. Figure the length of the
shortest hip jack rafter.
The run, rise, and length of a hip jack rafter are like the base, altitude, and
hypotenuse of a right triangle.
Step 1: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the unit length.
Step 2: Set up a proportion comparing the ratio of unit run to unit length with the ratio of
total run to total length.
Go to glencoe.com for this book’s OLC to check your answers.

Section 18.3 Jack Rafters 525

 Review and Assessment
18
Section Chapter Summary
18.1 Three types of rafters are hip, valley, and jack rafters. The length of a hip rafter is calcu-
lated on the basis of the unit run and unit rise and/or the total run and total rise. Any of
the methods previously described for determining the length of a common rafter may be
used. However, some of the basic data for hip and valley rafters is different.
Section
18.2 The span of an addition roof may be equal or unequal to that of the main roof. Dormers
are framed either with or without side walls. Those with side walls are called doghouse
dormers.
Section
18.3 Jack rafters are shortened common rafters framed to a hip rafter, valley rafter, or both.
The best way to figure the total lengths of valley jacks and cripple jacks is to lay out a
framing plan. A hip jack rafter extends from a hip rafter to a plate. Hip jacks always have
the same spacing as common rafters.

Review Content Vocabulary and Academic Vocabulary

1. Use each of these content vocabulary and academic vocabulary words in a sentence or diagram.

Content Vocabulary Academic Vocabulary

• hip rafter (p. 504) • dropping the hip (p. 514) • hypotenuse (p. 505)
• valley rafter (p. 504) • addition (p. 516) • significant (p. 510)
• jack rafter (p. 504) • dormer (p. 518) • ensure (p. 513)
• seat cut (p. 506) • doghouse dormer (p. 519)
• backing the hip (p. 513)

Like a Pro Review Key Concepts

Technical Terms 3. Demonstrate how to make hip rafter side
cuts.
2. Work with a classmate to define the follow-
ing terms used in the chapter: hip jack 4. Define a valley rafter.
rafters (p. 504), valley jack rafters (p. 504), 5. Explain how to calculate rafter overhang.
plumb lines (p. 508), level lines (p. 508), blade 6. List at least two reasons to add a dormer to
(p. 508), tongue (p. 508), backed (p. 513), a roof.
dropped (p. 513), cripple jack rafter (p. 522),
valley cripple jack (p. 522), hip valley cripple 7. Demonstrate how to construct a jack rafter.
jack (p. 522), common difference (p. 523). 8. Explain why the intersection of two roofs
calls for more complex framing.

Critical Thinking
9. Explain Can the actual length of a rafter
be taken from the framing plan? Explain
your reasoning.

526 Chapter 18 Review and Assessment

Academic and Workplace decorate or to support the structure. Sum-
marize your findings in a one-page report.
Applications Include pictures or drawings.

10. Pythagorean Theorem The right triangle is

the basis for many roof structures. Under- 12. Career Skills: Investigate Roofing Careers
standing how to use the Pythagorean Interview two carpenters with roofing
theorem will help you in your construction experience. Ask them to recall their experi-
career. Find the length of the hypotenuse, c, ences as they were learning to frame roofs
of ΔXYZ. with hip and valley rafters. Ask how they
learned to do this work accurately. How
X
much practice did it take? What math skills
C did they use? What tools did they find
5 helpful? Take notes during your interview.
Summarize the interview in a one-page
Z 12 Y document.

The Pythagorean theo-

rem states that the sum of the squares of
the sides of a right triangle are equal to the
square of the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse
is the side of a right triangle opposite the Multiple Choice
right angle. The formula is a2 ⴙ b2 ⴝ c2. Directions Choose the best answer for each of
Step 1: Substitute known lengths for a and b. the following questions:
Step 2: Square the two known lengths. 13. The formula you would use to calculate the
length of a hypotenuse is ______.
Step 3: Find the sum of the squares of the a. A  bh c. A  2πr
two legs (the base and the altitude).
b. a2  b2  c2 d. y  ax  b
Step 4: Take the square root of the sum to 14. In mathematics, a right angle is equal to
solve for c. ______.
a. 60° c. 180°
b. 90° d. 45°
11. Triangles The triangle is used often in archi-
tecture and design. Unlike the shapes of a 15. The shortening allowance of a hip jack
square or a rectangle, the shape of a triangle rafter at the upper end is ______.
is rigid. This means that the shape of a trian- a. ½ the 45° thickness of the hip rafter
gle cannot be changed without changing the b. ¼ the 45° thickness of the hip rafter
length of one of its sides or breaking one of c. ½ the thickness of the long rafter
its joints. A single truss between two diago- d. ¼ the thickness of the long rafter
nal corners strengthens a square or rectangle
by turning it into two triangles. Find three
instances of triangles used in design, such
as in buildings, bridges, or other structures. Science and mathematics require you to memorize
the relationships between groups of numbers as
You can use structures in your neighborhood
well as specific numbers. Using these relationships
or pictures of structures found elsewhere.
in real-world applications, such as measurement,
Describe the structure. Try to determine may help you be able to recall formulas and special
if the triangles in the structure are used to numbers.
* These questions will help you practice for national
certification assessment.

Chapter 18 Review and Assessment 527