Rafters are ... What is rafters and where is it used?

Rafters - this is part of the supporting system of pitched roof, which is not used in a single copy, but is used as a rafters. This part consists of vertical racks, inclined roof trusses and inclined struts. If there is a need, the rafters are strengthened along the lower part to the perforated beams.

What is a rafter

Rafters - this is the element that lies at the base of the whole system, it consists of inclined struts, inclined rafter legs and vertical racks. Support is carried out in wooden chopped buildings on the crowns. But if we are talking about frame buildings, the support is made on the strapping from above, whereas in stone houses they are installed on the Mauerlat, which are bars with a maximum thickness of 160 mm. Mauerlatt may be located along the length of the building or be only under the rafter's leg. In the case where the rafter has a section of insignificant width, the elements will eventually sag. In order to exclude this phenomenon, it is necessary to use a grate, which has in the structure of struts, posts and crossbars.

For boards and crossbars boards are used, the width of which can be 150 mm, while the thickness is 25 mm. To fix the rafter's leg, a tightening is used, which ties the lower parts of the rafter legs. When sliding through the tightening, the end of the element may break the integrity. In order to avoid slipping, the rafter should be strengthened with a tightening method of cutting. Rafters should be removed from the edge by 400 mm.

Need to use

All this is used to give the roof quality of stability when exposed to high loads. In consequence, the roof acquires the properties of reliability, and the rafters transfer the load from the weight of the whole system and snow to the internal supports of the building. If the building has small spans, then lining rafters should be used. If there are no intermediate supports, then the construction of the suspended rafters should be used .

Where rafters are used

Rafters are an element that is part of one large system for hardening a roof. Depending on what design features the roof will have, different rafter systems are used. With modern construction, rafters and roofing systems as a whole are subject to certain requirements, among them:

• practicality;
• Low installation and manufacturing costs;
• durability;
• strength;
• Simplicity of installation;
• functionality; Aesthetics.

Rafters - this is an element that can be used in the construction of single-pitched, double-pitched and broken roofs. These elements are present in the roof of Sudeikin. In the first case, rafters are used in the form of beams, their support is carried out on the walls, quite often it allows to make the roof of the exploited. The roof construction in this case should be pre-engineered, only this way it will be possible to distribute the load on the roof used. Rafters, whose meaning is mentioned in the article, can be used in a double-sloped roof, in this case the system has triangular trusses that are located at a certain angle. The legs should be on the Mauerlate, and they are additionally equipped with bolts and stretches.

If there is a desire to leave space for the attic, then it is necessary to make a broken roof, the rafter system of which will be more complicated. In this case, several types of rafters are used at once. It is worth noting that very original and attractive is the design of the Sudeikin roof. In this case the rafters are connected to each other, forming four triangular slopes. Such a system is suitable for square tasks.

What is a rafter in terms of design features

You can independently build a roof. Rafters in its composition can be inclined. In this case, the upper assembly is fixed by means of a hinge, and the lower one by means of a floating connection. Such designs of rafters in the form of profile systems are usually called irresponsible. This system does not transfer the load to the Mauerlat. The ridge connection is carried out as rigidly as possible, the support to the Mauerlat is made by means of a hinge. In this case, sliding forces are transmitted to the walls. This system, which combines hanging and layered rafters, is also called hybrid. Redistribution of the load is the main principle of this system. The weight of the roof is taken by the rafters with their feet, which are joined end to end and work on bending. At the same time, the ridge bar is not so obligatory as it is almost inactive.

For reference

The spacer rafters, photos of which are presented in the article, should be arranged taking into account the quality of bolted connections. Preliminary in the products should drill holes, whose diameter should be one millimeter less than the diameter of the bolt or stud. If they are too large, damage to the Mauerlatt may occur during the work.

Material selection

The word rafters are known today to every builder, but not every house master is familiar with what is the best material to use for making these elements in the roof structure. The basis may be wood, monolithic reinforced concrete structures or metal. The latter is galvanized or steel, in the first case it is possible to obtain lightweight structures. When choosing a material, experts advise paying attention to the purpose of the building. At the same time, the assumed loads on the roof should be taken into account. Wooden rafters are used most often, for this purpose a qualitative glued beam or solid wood is selected. For the work will need not only lumber, but also carpentry tools, as well as fasteners. If you decide to use glued beams, then it should have a width of between 12 and 18 m, but solid logs and boards can be of any design.