Strengthening Roof Rafters

Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface.

Strengthening roof rafters.

Use a circular saw to cut two sets of new rafters from the same size wood by the same dimensions. Then lower the jack down a little at a time so that the metal can take the weight of the roof. How to strengthen roof rafters for snow step 1. If your roof is strong enough it can extend beyond the support walls without external bracing.

If there are other rafters that need to be repaired follow the same procedure for each one of them. A cantilever is any structure such as a roof or floor overhang that is braced internally. Carry the cut lumber and framing supplies into the attic. Use your tape measure to record the distance of both rafter legs.

Before you cut your boards you ll need to measure the width of your building and calculate the exact length of each rafter. This is a fairly basic project that can help protect your roof but consult a structural. Just make one of the rafter members extend beyond the cross tie. Drive the remaining carriage bolts into the two by six rafter and tighten them all up.

Repeat the process for the joist beneath your old roof rafter. The roof rafters provide integral structural support to the roof. Take 2 6x4 as long as your longest stored lumber and cut 2 inch deep grooves in them as wide as your 2x6 is thick every foot or so. Install these over your existing horizontal 2x6s 2 feet from the roof edge inside and paralel to the roof ends crosswise from your existing 2x6.

If you re framing a gable roof on a new house or building a shed or even a doghouse with a gable roof you ll need to cut a number of roof rafters. If you are building trusses it is easy to make part of the roof into a cantilevered extension.